CMA PARTNERS WITH ABC AND TOYS FOR TOTS TO DISTRIBUTE TOYS TO CHILDREN IN NEED DURING THE HOLIDAYS

"CMA Country Christmas" Hosted by Jennifer Nettles Tapes November 7 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and airs Monday, December 1 on the ABC Television Network

Celebrate the Season with some of the biggest names in music performing holiday classics on "CMA Country Christmas," a two-hour special hosted for the fifth year by Jennifer Nettles airing MONDAY, DECEMBER 1 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

The special tapes in front of a live audience Friday, November 7 (7:00 p.m., CT) at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Artists previously announced include Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Sara Evans, Lucy Hale, Hunter Hayes, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town, Idina Menzel, Nettles, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Carrie Underwood, and Brad Paisley jamming with Steven Tyler.

For the third year, audience members are being encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the taping to help make the holidays brighter for Nashville area children. In 2014, CMA is partnering with Disney|ABC Television Group (DATG) and Toys for Tots to distribute the gifts to children in need.

"Our artist community is extremely generous and so are our fans," said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "It is our goal to make sure no child goes without a present this Christmas and we are grateful to our network partner ABC and Toys for Tots for helping to make this dream come true for children everywhere."

A new toy during the holiday season goes a long way in a child's eyes and for that reason, The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) has supported the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation for more than 60 years, as a way to connect with children and families in need during the holidays. The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. The relationship with TWDC and Toys for Tots began in 1948 when Walt Disney and his animators personally designed the original Toys for Tots train logo that is still in use today.

DATG, a business unit of TWDC, is partnering with "CMA Country Christmas" this year for its "Share The Joy" campaign to collect thousands of toys, which will in turn be donated directly to a local Toys for Tots unit within the Nashville community. The "Share The Joy" campaign, which will run throughout the month of December and be referenced by using #ShareTheJoy via social media platform, will allow its business units and employees to collect and donate new toys that will benefit children and families during the holiday season.

Earlier this week on ABC News' "Good Morning America," Tom Bergeron, host of "America's Funniest Home Videos" (AFV) and "Dancing With The Stars," also announced AFV's partnership with Toys for Tots. Their campaign, which has a different twist, entices viewers to upload their funniest 25-second tickle videos through November 15. In return, AFV will donate $5 to Toys for Tots for every tickle video received (up to $25,000), with the grand total announced on their Dec. 7 episode.

"Finding a present under the tree on Christmas morning is an experience every child deserves," said retired Marine Major Bill Grein, Vice President of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "Over the past 66 years The Walt Disney Company, our first national corporate sponsor, has certainly done more than its fair share to help our Marines bring that joy to children whose families have struggled so much. Each year we are able to reach seven million children. With the full support of The Walt Disney Company again this year, we are hopeful that we'll fulfill the holiday dreams of many additional deserving children. The toys raised at 'CMA Country Christmas' this year is certainly a great start."

Volunteers will be on site with specially marked bins to collect toys beginning at 5:00 p.m., CT on November 7. In 2013, Nashville-based group Generosity collected more than 5,000 toys. Helping the Marines collect toys will be Tennessee Titans lauded tight end Delanie Walker (No. 82). In 2013, Walker autographed dozens of footballs for Nashville's homeless children as part of the toy drive.

"Every child deserves to feel loved and appreciated, especially at Christmas," said Walker. "Every donated and unwrapped toy collected on Friday will go a directly to helping a child's holiday be a little brighter. I'm counting on all the Titans fans to help me in supporting the Country Music Association and Toys for Tots."

Tickets for "CMA Country Christmas" are on sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com; by calling (800) 745-3000; or in person at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office, located at 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, Nashville). Tickets for "CMA Country Christmas" are $25 for Upper-Level seating and $50 for Lower- and Club-Level seating. Ticket prices include tax, but exclude applicable service fees.

"CMA Country Christmas" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

Chevrolet(TM) is the Official Ride of Country Music.