Jennifer Nettles Back To Host Third 'CMA Country Christmas' Special

Just a few weeks before the due date for her first child, Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles will deliver yet another “CMA Country Christmas” special for ABC Television Network.

Nettles will be back for the third time as host of the Country Music Assn.-produced special, which will be taped in front of a live audience Nov. 3 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, just two days after the CMA Awards air live from the same venue. The special will air on an as-yet-unannounced date during the holidays. Nettles and her husband are expecting their first child around Thanksgiving.

Artists scheduled to perform on the Christmas special include Dierks Bentley, Colbie Caillat, Welsh opera singer (and former “Dancing With The Stars” contestant) Katherine Jenkins, Lady Antebellum, John Legend, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Nettles, The Band Perry, and Keith Urban.

Audience members attending the taping will be asked to bring a new toy for homeless and needy Nashville area children. The Nashville-based, non-profit group Generosity will have volunteers on site to collect the toys, which will be distributed on Christmas night.

“I am so excited to be hosting this year and I love inviting the audience to get into the spirit of the season by bringing a toy for donation,” says Nettles in a prepared statement. “It is such a joy to watch this holiday special grow — in not only its talent roster, but moreover in its charitable celebration of the season.”