Start Your ACM Country Fan Holiday Shopping NOW!

Check out the ACM Awards official merchandise online store.

As we approach the 50th Anniversary of the ACM Awards (April 19th on CBS!), they're offing 10 Days of Giveaways this holiday season Monday-Friday, starting December 1st – December 12th!

Check back each day as a new featured artist will be revealed and enter for your chance to win prizes & a signed copy of the ACM’s first-ever ACM commemorative book, This Is Country: A Backstage Pass to the Academy of Country Music Awards, from the artist of the day! 

Check www.acmcountry.com on Monday December 1st for your first chance to win!

Purchase your own copy of This Is Country: A Backstage Pass to the Academy of Country Music Awards, HERE!

What God Wants For Christmas

Darius Rucker recently released his first Christmas album, Home for the Holidays. He co-wrote two songs on the collection – the 2009 “Candy Cane Christmas,” which originally appeared on Now! That’s What I Call Christmas 4 and his new holiday single, “What God Wants for Christmas.” He teamed up with producer Frank Rogers and songwriter Monte Criswell.

“Monte Criswell had this great idea and this great thing he had come up with of ‘What God Wants for Christmas,’” says Darius. “We sat down and the first thing I did was I Googled ‘What God Wants for Christmas,’ and I couldn’t believe no one had ever written that…So, we sat down and just the whole time was so inspirational I think for all of us. We were sitting there writing the song and it was coming. Every line somebody said was a line we used and it was a great line. We wanted to write one of those songs that years from now people are still listening to and people are still – and it’s important to people. We wanted to put God back in Christmas, and that’s what we tried to do with that song.”

Home for the Holidays also features such classics as “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with Sheryl Crow, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Winter Wonderland” and “White Christmas,” among others.

Thomas Rhett's Thanksgiving Requires Dressing, Hold The Gravy

Rhett has been out touring all year and he will continue through mid-December, but he does plan to take a few days off to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family.

When it’s time to sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, Thomas says, “My favorite Thanksgiving dish would probably be dressing. Every year both grandparents make a dressing, they’re kinda similar, but I don’t’ like gravy on my dressing, which is probably the weirdest thing in American culture. But, dressing is probably my favorite Thanksgiving dish.”

When Thomas reflects on what he’s thankful for this year, it will undoubtedly include his two number one songs, “It Goes Like This” and “Get Me Some of That,” and his current single, “Make Me Wanna,” which is rapidly approaching the top 20.

Sam Hunt On Letterman Monday

Hunt returns to late night TV Monday night to perform his brand new single, “Take Your Time,” on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman. 

It's the follow-up single to Hunt’s Platinum-selling No. 1 smash, “Leave the Night On.” Both tracks are featured on Hunt’s album, MONTEVALLO, the No. 1 and best-selling country debut album since 2011.

Hunt recently announced his Lipstick Graffiti Tour launching in Jan. 2015.  The first ever headlining tour for the country newcomer sold out most markets within minutes of going on sale.  Limited tickets remain in select markets, and Hunt is exploring larger venues and second shows where scheduling permits. Check www.SamHunt.com for the latest touring news and ticket information.

Hunt’s “Take Your Time” impacts country radio Nov. 24.  For information, music, images, tour dates and more, visit www.SamHunt.com.

The Holidays Are Just Around The Corner. CMA is Ready. YOU?

The annual two-hour Christmas special "CMA Country Christmas" airs Monday, Dec. 1 at 8|7c on ABC. Promote tune-in for this family-friendly special.
Here are the assets for you to use to help:  CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE PROMO TOOLS

• Web/Social/Email copy & talking points (prior to and day of air)
• Logos & key art
• Web banners
• Artist-specific social sharing images
• Video and audio content (with more being added soon)

Your CMA Marketing Team, Catherine, Amanda, Mary, Scott, Marty and Ben will be live posting on social networks using #CMAchristmas if you are interested in interacting night of show.

Click over to CMAchristmas.com for the full lineup and photos.