Country-music people keep finding ways to have TV specials in a COVID era.
Now come two more announcements – a CBS special with Garth Brooks (shown here) and Tricia Yearwood, Dec. 20 on CBS, and the line-up for an intimate “CMA Country Christmas,” Nov. 30 on ABC. That comes shortly after CBS announced a Dolly Parton special, Dec. 6 on CBS.
Nashville people were the first to come up with a back-up plan. When the Academy of Country Music awards were pushed back five months, the original date (April 5) was filled with at-home numbers. That same week, Brooks and Yearwood had an amiable concert from their home studio.
The three new shows, chronologically, are:
– Nov. 30: “CMA Country Christmas,” 9-11 p.m., ABC. The network had already set the date, without saying who would perform. Now it has a plan that skips the usual festive audience. Instead, this will pretend to be at the home of Thomas Rhett, his wife Lauren and their three daughters – a family featured in his “Life Changes” song. There, the performers will include Tim McGraw, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady Antebellum, Gabby Barrett, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town and Darius Rucker with Lindsey Stirling.
– Dec. 6: “A Holly Dolly Christmas,” 8:30 p.m., CBS. Parton performs.
– Dec. 20: “Garth and Tricia Live: A Holiday Event,” 9 p.m., CBS. Brooks and Yearwood again perform from their home studio, taking requests in advance. That will also be available on the CBS All Access streaming service.