[applause]
[lively Irish music playing]
Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven and nature sing
[Irish-style fiddle playing]
Joy to the Earth
The Savior reigns
Let men, their songs
Employ
While fields and floods
Rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy
[Irish-style fiddle playing]
He rules the world
with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of
His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders
Of His
Love
[song ends]
[applause]
[announcer] It's CMA Country Christmas.
Appearing tonight...
And now here are your hosts,
Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood.
Merry Christmas, everybody.
I'm so excited to be back
cohosting CMA Country Christmas
with my hero, Amy Grant.
We go back a long time.
I bought her first album when I was 15,
and she wasn't much older than me.
I don't think you'll ever know
the impact your music has had on me.
That's the truth.
Well, the feeling's mutual.
To be here on CMA Country Christmas
is an honor in and of itself.
And to be here on this stage with Trisha
and all these amazing stars
makes this just about
the best holiday ever.
Plus, we both got to cross
something off our bucket list,
and that's because we got
to open this Christmas special
by singing "Joy to the World" together.
And a special thanks to the amazing
Lindsey Stirling for joining in.
We'll get to see Lindsey
later on in the show.
Now people watching may not know this,
but Trisha and I both have
the same holiday tradition.
That's right. While we're busy cooking,
we both listen to the songs
of our favorite male country artist.
And I bet everyone knows
who each of us has as their favorite.
The one and only...
-Vince Gill.
-Garth Brooks.
[laughter]
Maybe we should cut that out.
I mean, I think it's too late for that.
-But we're cool.
-Guys, we're kidding.
Now, if you love Christmas music
as much as Amy and I do,
then this is the night for you.
We not only have your favorite songs,
they're being performed by
some of your favorite artists.
We've got Lainey Wilson, Jordan Davis,
Lindsey Stirling, Zach Williams,
Ashley McBryde, Jon Pardi,
and The w*r & Treaty.
And you can't have a Christmas show
without our next performers.
This is their seventh time
on CMA Country Christmas,
and we are so glad
they're here with us again.
With a classic
"What Christmas Means To Me,"
here is Lady A.
[applause]
Oh, yeah
Candles burning low
Lots of mistletoe
Lots of snow and ice
Everywhere we go
Choirs singing carols
Right outside my door
All these things and more, my baby
All these things and more, my baby
That's what Christmas
means to me, my love
That's what Christmas means
to me, my love, yeah
And you know what I mean
I see your smiling face
Like I never seen before
Even though I love you madly
It seems I love you more
The little cards you'll give me
Will touch my heart for sure
Oh, all these things
and more, my darling
All these things and more, my darling
That's what Christmas
means to me, my love
That's what Christmas means
to me, my love
I feel like running wild
As anxious as a little child
Greet you 'neath the mistletoe
Kiss you once and then some more
I wish you a Merry Christmas, baby
Oh, I wish you a Merry Christmas, baby
And such happiness in the coming year
Happiness in the coming year
Deck the halls with holly
Sing sweet "Silent Night"
Fill the tree with angel hair and
The pretty, pretty lights
Go to sleep and wake up
Just before daylight
All these things and more, baby
All these things and more, my baby
That's what Christmas
means to me, my love
That's what Christmas
means to me, my love
Yeah
Oh, baby, baby
Oh, my sweet baby
Bells are ringing
Choirs singing
Candles glow
Lots and lots of snow
[song ends]
[applause]
[announcer] Coming up next, Jon Pardi.
Then later, Amy Grant takes the stage.
Plus performances by...
It's CMA Country Christmas,
right here on ABC.
Welcome back to CMA Country Christmas.
Look how beautiful this is.
A special thanks to our friends
at Balsam Hill
for transforming our stage
here at the Fisher Center
for the Performing Arts
into a Christmas wonderland
and making it possible for
you to do the same at home.
-Amy, I have a quick question for you.
-Yeah?
When you were growing up,
did you leave cookies out for Santa?
Of course, it's my favorite
Christmas Eve tradition.
Well, our next performer
has a slightly different idea
on what Santa might like
when he comes down the chimney.
He has a couple of slightly
different ideas about life.
Like the fact that on his farm
he has two goats named after...
I know, I know. He has two goats
named "Garth" and "Trisha."
He calls them his "Pardi" animals.
He's one of the brightest
new stars in country music.
Please make welcome Jon Pardi.
[applause]
Tonight's the night that Santa comes
'Round the world the reindeer run
Bringing joy to all the kids
Both leave them milk
and chocolate chips
Tonight I'm leaving beer out for Santa
Trade the cookies
for a koozie full of cheer
When he slides down the chimney
with the presents
There'll be a cold one
waiting on him this year
Yeah, I know he's working up a sweat
this Christmas
Ridin' round and round
and round from roof to roof
So tonight I'm leaving
beer out for Santa
Yeah, I might stay up
and have one with him too
I can't wait to see ol' St. Nick
Just smiling
When he sees that
six-pack by the fireplace
Yeah, we all know that
Rudolph does the drivin'
So what's one more
before he gets on his way?
Yeah, tonight I'm leaving
beer out for Santa
Trade the cookies for
a koozie full of cheer
When he slides down the chimney
with the presents
There'll be a cold one
waiting on him this a-year
Yeah, I know he's working up a sweat
this Christmas
Ridin' round and round
and round from roof to roof
So tonight I'm leaving
beer out for Santa
Yeah, I might stay up
and have one with him too
What's up, Santa Claus
Yeah, you know he's working up a sweat
this Christmas
Ridin' round and round
and round from roof to roof
So tonight I'm leaving
beer out for Santa
Yeah, I might stay up
and have one with him too
Yeah, tonight I'm leaving
beer out for Santa
And I might stay up and
have one with him too, yeah
Ice cold
Oh, that's North Pole cold
[song ends]
[applause]
Thank you, Jon Pardi. That was fun.
Make sure to say hi to your
"Garth" goat for me.
That's weird.
When I said a little while ago
that Amy Grant was my hero,
I was not exaggerating one bit.
The joy and love she brings into the world
is just one more reason I'm
so honored to cohost with her
and to get to watch her perform a song
that resonates with all of us
this Christmas season.
Please welcome my friend Amy Grant.
[applause]
Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies
Well, I'm all grown up now
But still need help, somehow
I'm not a child
But my heart still can dream
So here's my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself
But for a world in need
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time will heal all hearts
Everyone will have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
Ooh-ooh, this is my
grown-up Christmas list
As children, we believe
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely
wrapped beneath our tree
Well, heaven surely knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
Everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
Ooh-ooh
This is my grown-up Christmas list
What is this illusion called
The innocence of youth
Maybe only in our blind belief
Can we ever find
The truth
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love will never end
Ooh-ooh
This is my grown-up Christmas list
This is my only life-long wish
This is my grown-up
Christmas
List
[song ends]
[applause]
[announcer] Coming right up...
Zach Williams is joined by Lainey Wilson,
then later, Lindsey Stirling
and Trisha Yearwood
perform "O Holy Night,"
plus Jordan Davis and The w*r & Treaty.
It's CMA Country Christmas, only on ABC.
[applause]
Welcome back to CMA Country Christmas.
You're going to love
who we've got coming up next.
He's one of the biggest stars
in Christian music.
And he's joined by one of the
biggest stars in country music.
This is their first time
performing together,
and they're sharing an all-time favorite,
and it's so upbeat and different.
I just love it.
With "Go Tell It On the Mountain,"
here are Zach Williams and Lainey Wilson.
[applause]
[funky music playing]
Hah!
Oh!
While shepherds kept their watchin'
Over silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light
Oh, I said go
Tell it on the mountains
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountains
That Jesus Christ is born
You guys, give it up
for Miss Lainey Wilson!
Shepherds feared and trembled
When, lo, above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior's birth
Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
God sent us salvation
On that blessed Christmas morn
Oh, I said Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
[instrumental music playing]
Ooh-ooh
Tell it, tell it on the mountain
Oh-ho
Oh, yeah
Oh, oh, oh
I was a lonely seeker
And I sought both night and day
I asked the Lord to help me
He showed me the way
He made me a watchman
Upon a city wall
If I am a Christian
I am the least of all
Oh, I said,
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
Go tell it
Go tell it
Go tell it
Go on and tell it
Go tell it
Go tell it
Go tell it
Go on and tell it
[song ends]
Thank you, Zach and Lainey.
That was so good.
And now it's my turn to fangirl a little.
Simply put, my cohost Trisha
is one of the greatest
singers in country music.
Actually, just about any kind of music,
and tonight she's teamed up
with a violinist
who's one of the most unique
and original talents of her generation.
Performing "O Holy Night,"
here are Lindsey Stirling
and my girl, Trisha Yearwood.
[applause]
O holy night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night
Of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world
In sin and error pining
Till He appeared
and the soul felt its worth
The thrill of hope
The weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks
A new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night
When Christ was born
[playing melody]
Fall on your knees
Oh, hear the angel voices
Oh, fall
On your knees
Oh, hear
The angel voices
O night
Divine
O night
O night
Divine
[violin playing melody]
O night
Divine
Fall on your knees
Oh, hear
The angel voices
O night
Divine
Oh, night
When Christ was born
Oh, night
-[violin crescendos]
-Divine
Oh, night
Divine
[applause]
[announcer] Up next
on CMA Country Christmas,
Jordan Davis, then,
later, The w*r & Treaty,
and Lindsey Stirling
is joined by Ashley McBryde,
plus an encore performance
by Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood,
here on ABC.
Welcome back.
This next story is sure
to put you in the Christmas spirit.
As we all know, music has
an incredible healing power.
And when you combine that
with the amazing care
provided at Shriners Children's,
patients can achieve their dreams.
They've provided life-changing care
for over 100 years.
And the young lady, Madison,
you're about to meet
has overcome some big challenges.
We thought nothing would be more fun
than giving her the chance to meet
an incredible artist, Jordan Davis,
and share their love of music.
Tell me about how you came
to know about Shriners Children's.
So I was born with extra
navicular bones in both my feet.
I had trouble doing all activities.
We brought Madison to Shriners Children's
and she was able to see
an orthopedic surgeon.
And they told me that they could fix me,
and that's exactly what they did
and it changed my life.
After my surgeries, I was down.
I couldn't go outside,
so I learned how to play guitar.
I was watching YouTube videos.
That's how it started.
I hear that you have written a song
that I'm super excited to hear.
They're the people in the place
Make it all come true
Shriners is the best place
I never knew
[Jordan] Madison's story is so amazing.
I'm glad that we're getting
to show what she's been through
and how much Shriners Children's
has helped her.
[both] Because the truth about it is
It all goes by real quick
You can't buy happiness
But you can buy dirt
Madison, that was so good!
Thank you.
You know the coolest thing about that?
Our friends at Gibson
hooked you up with this.
-Are you serious?
-Congratulations.
I want to thank Shriners Children's
for putting this together
for everything they've done for me
and kids like me.
That's so awesome.
Now joining me here
is the beautiful Madison.
Would you like to help introduce
our next performer?
Of course.
All right.
Here Performing on the
CMA Country Christmas stage
for the first time,
is country's next superstar...
I can't believe I'm saying this,
but here's my new best friend,
Jordan Davis!
O come, all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye, O come ye
To Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of Angels
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore
Him
Christ
The Lord
Sing choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
O sing all ye citizens
Of Heaven above
Glory to God
Glory in the highest
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ, the Lord
Come let us adore Him
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be all
Glory given
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ
The Lord
[applause]
[announcer] Coming up next,
The w*r & Treaty.
Then later, Lindsey Stirling
teams up with Ashley McBryde
on a fun holiday favorite
and then cohosts Amy Grant
and Trisha Yearwood
perform "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."
Here on CMA Country Christmas.
[applause]
Welcome back to CMA Country Christmas.
Our next performers can do it all.
If you like soul, they've got it.
Gospel, folk, country--
Check, check, check.
And they can rock it out.
Which is exactly what they're gonna do
with "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)."
Here is The w*r & Treaty.
[applause]
[Michael] Hey, Nashville! Hello!
[Tanya] Y'all ready
for Christmas out here?
[cheering]
Welcome, all around the world.
Y'all ready?
Hey
Christmas
Now snow's coming down
-Christmas
-I'm watching it fall
-Christmas
-Lots of people around
-Christmas
-Baby, please come home
Christmas
There's church bells in town
-Christmas
-All ringing in song
-Christmas
-Full of happy sounds
-Christmas
-Baby, please come home
They're singing "Deck the Halls"
But it's not like Christmas at all
I remember when you were here
And all the fun we had last year
-Christmas
-Pretty lights on the tree
-Christmas
-I'm watching 'em shine
-Christmas
-You should be here with me
-Christmas
-Baby, please come home
Here we go!
Whoo!
They're singing "Deck the Halls"
But it's not like Christmas at all
I remember when you were here
And all the fun we had last year
-Christmas
-If there was a way
-Christmas
-I'd hold you there
-Christmas
-But it's Christmas Day
-Please, please, please
-Please
-Please, please
-Please, oh
Oh
Baby, please come home
Oh, there's no Christmas without you
-Christmas
-Oh, I need you here
-Christmas
-Oh, child
-Christmas
-Baby, please come home
I don't want Rudolf
I just want you, baby
I need you in my arms
-Christmas
-Yeah, oh
-Christmas
-Ooh-ooh-ooh
Yeah!
Merry Christmas, everybody.
Merry Christmas!
[applause]
Thank you, Michael and Tanya.
You are a great permanent partnership.
And, now, we have a great one-time pairing
of an amazing violinist
and one of country music's best
with the iconic song
"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."
Here are Lindsey Stirling
and Ashley McBryde.
[applause]
[jazzy music playing]
You're a mean one
Mr. Grinch
You really are a heel
You're as cuddly as a cactus
You're as charming as an eel
Mr. Grinch
You're a bad banana with a
Greasy black peel
You're a monster
Mr. Grinch
Your heart's an empty hole
Your brain is full of spiders
You've got garlic
in your soul, Mr. Grinch
[music stops]
[playing melody]
Oh, you're a foul one
Mr. Grinch
You've got termites in your smile
You got all the tender sweetness
Of a seasick crocodile, Mr. Grinch
Given a choice between
the two, I'll take...
Seasick
Crocodile
Oh, you're a mean one
Ooh, you're a mean one
You're a mean one
Oh, you're a mean one
You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch
Ooh-ooh
[song ends]
[applause]
[announcer] Next on CMA Country Christmas,
Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood
perform "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."
Here on ABC.
[announcer] It's CMA Country Christmas.
Please welcome back to the stage
Trisha Yearwood.
Amy and I have had
so much fun together tonight,
and we've enjoyed so much great music.
A big thank you to all the
artists who joined us onstage.
And a special thanks
to all of you watching at home.
And from our country music
family to yours,
have a Merry Christmas.
Stay safe this holiday season,
and have a wonderful 2024.
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Peace on Earth
And mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic hosts proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
With angelic hosts proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of Earth
Born to give them second birth
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
[full chorus] Pleased
as man with men to dwell
Jesus, our
Emmanuel
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace
Hail the Son of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in his wings
Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ, the Everlasting Lord
Come, desire of nations, come
Fix in us thy humble home
Come, desire of nations, come
Fix in us
Thy humble
Home
[song ends]
Good night, everybody.
Merry Christmas!
CMA Country Christmas (2023)
Moderator: Maskath3