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'CMA Country Christmas' highlights and pictures
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The Country Music Association broadcast its first ever "CMA Country Christmas" Monday night (Nov. 29) on ABC. It featured not only wonderful performances of the holiday favorites, but humorous memories and stories.- We loved Sugarland's rockabilly "Winter Wonderland" to open the show. Host Jennifer Nettles is such a cutie. On "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," we didn't actually know she could sound like that -- it was very different from her normal style.
- Brad Paisley hilariously remarked, "The great thing about havin' kids is you can go to a toy store now and I don't feel like a weirdo."
- LeAnn Rimes did a sex pot version of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" while surrounded by sailors. We aren't sure that's the best image for her to project, but OK. Her "White Christmas" was nice, but we just can't listen to anyone but Bing Crosby sing that one.
- Rascal Flatts' "I'll Be Home for Christmas" over a montage of servicemen and women with their families was a sniffler.
- We maintain that Martina McBride has one of the best voices on the planet. Her "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was gorgeous and then her "O Holy Night" just absolutely blew us away. That song is incredibly difficult and she did it perfectly. It brought tears to our eyes.
- "Candy Cane Christmas" is a song Darius Rucker released last year, but we hadn't ever really heard it before. We liked it. Also -- Hootie!
- The footage of Brad Paisley as a teenager playing his first song, "Born on Christmas Day," was adorable. But his "What Child Is This?" was incredible, what a musician.
- Little Big Town once again showed off their harmonies on "Go Tell It On the Mountain" and it was just as good as their piece of "You Belong With Me" during the CMA Awards.
- Kellie Pickler and the girls brought us "Santa Baby" -- it was pretty good, but we kept getting distracted by the way she'd jiggle on "hurry down the chimney tonight."
- "Run Run Rudolph" is one of our least favorite holiday numbers, but Sheryl Crow and Brad Paisley actually made it fun.
- The all-star finale on "Jingle Bell Rock" was cute, we liked the way they took turns on some solos. Reba McEntire and Jennifer Nettles sounded awesome together, their styles really complement each other.
What did you think of the first "CMA Country Christmas"? Would you tune in next year?
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I thought it was a really fun show. I'd like to see it become an annual show with even more stars. Would've liked to have seen 2 Reba performances...
I also would have loved to see two Reba performances, she looked and sounded amazing.
I thought it was very entertaining and really got you in the holiday spirit. Jennifer did a fantastic job hosting and I loved Sugarland's two performances. Hoping they do it again next year!
I'm fond of country music, would love to see Shania and Faith Hill though, however all in all i think it's a good show...
CMA country Christmas special captured the spirit of Christmas. May this happen again in every Christmas.
why do all y'all at zap2it always write in the 1st person plural, as if you are all sitting around watching everything together and all have the same exact opinion on everything? -- "we this and we that" -- we here think it odd
LeAnn Rimes looked beautiful and always sounds amazing - Sugarland's Winter Wonderland was fun.
Loved the show ! Especially loved Kellie Pickler and Santa Baby !! Kellie's a class act !! Would love to see her on more shows and with her own sitcom. She can make just about anyone smile. Hope they do the show again next year.
Very nice show but did Martina McBride forget the words to "Oh Holy Night"? She sang the first verse twice!
I loved the show. Jennifer Nettles was awsome singing O Come O Come Emmanuel. Does she have a Christmas CD with that song on it? Definitely watch it again next year.