CMA Country Christmas airs every year on ABC. It's an exciting time of year where you get to see all of your favorite country stars ring in the holiday season together in one festive two-hour special.
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The 2018 CMA Country Christmas special featured host Reba McEntire and an all-star cast of country stars performing their holiday favorites. Brad Paisley performed "Away In a Manger," Martina McBride sang "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas," and Dustin Lynch covered "Christmas, Baby Please Come Home." All the classics made an appearance with a special Nashville twist. McEntire delivered a reverent version of fellow country icon Dolly Parton's modern holiday classic "Hard Candy Christmas."
Originally penned by Carol Hall for the The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Broadway musical, "Hard Candy Christmas" was recorded by Parton for the 1982 film adaption of the musical. Parton released the Christmas song as a single the same year.
McEntire later recorded the tune for her 2016 Christmas album My Kind of Christmas.
The 2018 CMA Country Christmas special also featured performances by Brett Eldredge, Dan + Shay, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, and Amy Grant covering more classic holiday songs like "I'll Be Home For Christmas," "Silver Bells," and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."
Read More: This is What Young Dolly Parton Got for Christmas Each Year
McEntire was honored as one of the recipients of the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors. The honor is given to those in the arts community who have positively impacted American culture.
Watch Reba McEntire in the clip above as she covers the Dolly Parton classic and shows off her incredible country music skills.
The 2020 CMA Country Christmas airs on Monday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. CST on ABC.
This article was originally published in 2018.
"Hard Candy Christmas" Lyrics
Hey, maybe I'll dye my hair
Maybe I'll move somewhere
Maybe I'll get a car
Maybe I'll drive so far
They'll all lose track
Me, I'll bounce right back
Maybe I'll sleep real late
Maybe I'll lose some weight
Maybe I'll clear my junk
Maybe I'll just get drunk
On cheap red wine
Me, I'll be just
Fine and dandy
Lord, it's like a hard candy Christmas
I'm barely getting through tomorrow
But still I won't let
Sorrow bring me way down
Hey, maybe I'll learn to sew
Maybe I'll just lie low
Maybe I'll hit the bars
Maybe I'll count the stars until the dawn
Me, I will go on
Maybe I'll settle down
Maybe I'll just leave town
Maybe I'll have some fun
Maybe I'll meet someone
And make him mine
Me, I'll be just
Fine and dandy
Lord, it's like a hard candy Christmas
I'm barely getting through tomorrow
Still I can't let
Sorrow bring me way down
I'll be fine and dandy
Lord, it's like a hard candy Christmas
I'm barely getting through tomorrow
Still I can't let
Sorrow bring me way down
I'll be fine and dandy
Lord, it's like a hard candy Christmas
I'm barely getting through tomorrow
Still I can't let
Sorrow bring me way down
Oh, I'll be fine
I'll be fine
Oh, I'll be fine
Now Watch: The 10 Best Dolly Parton Movies
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