NINTH ANNUAL 'CMA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS' TO AIR ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

REBA MCENTIRE RETURNS FOR SECOND YEAR AS HOST FOR THE HOLIDAY MUSIC SPECIAL

Performances Include Tony Bennett, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Amy Grant, Diana Krall, Dustin Lynch, Martina McBride, Old Dominion, Brad Paisley, Michael W. Smith, Lindsey Stirling, The Isaacs and Brett Young

The ninth annual "CMA Country Christmas" will air SATURDAY, DEC. 22 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on The ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD: 12/10/18)

Iconic entertainer Reba McEntire, who returns as host for a second year, will also perform during the holiday music special. Joining Reba are legendary acts and country favorites including Tony Bennett, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Amy Grant, Diana Krall, Dustin Lynch, Martina McBride, Old Dominion, Brad Paisley, Michael W. Smith, Lindsey Stirling, The Isaacs and Brett Young, taking the stage for a night filled with Christmas classics and festive one-of-a-kind collaborations.

CMA has partnered with Balsam Hill, the leading provider of high-quality, realistic artificial Christmas trees and décor, to decorate the "CMA Country Christmas" stage this year. Learn more about Balsam Hill at www.balsamhill.com.

"CMA Country Christmas" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the executive producer; Paul Miller is the director, and Jon Macks is the writer.

About the Country Music Association

Founded in 1958 and celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2018, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. In 1961, CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music's highest honor. More than 7,400 music industry professionals and companies from around the globe are members of CMA. The organization's objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA's core initiatives: the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a three-hour network television special, "CMA Fest"; and "CMA Country Christmas," featuring Country artists performing original music and Christmas classics for broadcast during the holiday season. All of CMA's television properties air on The ABC Television Network.