Megan Moroney Among Stars Tapped for ‘CMA Country Christmas,’ With Lauren Daigle and Jordan Davis as First-Time Co-Hosts

Megan Moroney's remarkable run at the Country Music Association extends well past the November 19th CMA Awards, where she has earned a total of six nominations. The acclaimed artist is also slated to perform in the 16th annual "CMA Country Christmas," a special set to premiere on ABC this December 2nd. Sharing the hosting responsibilities are two major talents from different musical spheres: Lauren Daigle, the Grammy-winning artist known for her powerful crossover appeal, and Jordan Davis, a dominant force on the country charts.

This festive special unites a diverse array of performers, blending country with gospel, blues, and jazz. The bill includes Riley Green, Lady A, Little Big Town, and Parker McCollum, alongside the iconic New Orleans-based Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the blues-rock partnership of Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, and gospel legend BeBe Winans. A departure from previous years, this edition was pre-recorded on October 8th at Nashville's Belmont University Fisher Center. Belmont University, a cornerstone of Music City renowned for its Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, frequently serves as an incubator for major industry events, providing an ideal backdrop for the holiday taping.

While the complete performance list remains under wraps, the CMA has provided a strong clue by releasing a Spotify playlist filled with holiday tracks from many of the featured artists. This curated selection is widely seen as a preview of the evening's musical offerings. According to industry analyst Sarah Jenkins, "These pre-release playlists are a strategic move to generate buzz and offer fans a tangible connection to the upcoming show's atmosphere." The playlist notably features Moroney's "All I Want for Christmas is a Cowboy," a song she is heavily anticipated to perform, a theory supported by a social media photo from the taping that depicted her surrounded by cowboys.

Other notable songs on the preview list include Lauren Daigle's soulful rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," the Preservation Hall Jazz Band's lively "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," and Lady A's version of "Little Saint Nick." The collection is rounded out by Riley Green’s "Christmas to Me," Little Big Town’s "Christmas Night With You," BeBe & CeCe Winans’ "The First Noel," and Susan Tedeschi’s "Blues on a Holiday." Following its network debut, the special will be available for on-demand viewing on Hulu and Disney+ starting December 3rd.

Robert Deaton executive produces the event, with Milton Sneed directing and Jon Macks serving as head writer. This Christmas appearance serves as a fitting capstone to a breakout year for Megan Moroney, who ties with Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson for the most CMA nominations. Lainey Wilson, who is set to host the main awards ceremony solo, exemplifies the genre's current trajectory, which increasingly embraces powerful and distinctive female artists. This shift marks a significant moment in country music's history, moving beyond traditional boundaries to celebrate a wider spectrum of storytelling and sound.