Tyler Hubbard, First Responders Children’s Foundation, and leading global toy company Mattel teamed up this week to deliver 2,000 toys to children undergoing treatment at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital®.

The toys arrived at the hospital via fire truck, police car, and ambulance — in true first responder style — and were personally delivered to children by Hubbard. The EMI Records recording artist was joined by Jillian Crane, President and CEO of First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), a national organization that assists the children and families of first responders across America. FRCF delivers hundreds of thousands of holiday toys to children around the nation each year as part of its “Toy Express” initiative.

“First Responders Children’s Foundation is enormously grateful to Tyler Hubbard, Mattel, Universal Music Group Nashville, the Vanderbilt University Police Department, Nashville Fire Department and everyone at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for joining together for this truly special day,” Ms. Crane said. “Working hand-in-hand with Nashville’s first responder community to see a sparkle in the eyes of these brave young children is the greatest holiday gift imaginable; their laughter and smiles will long be remembered by everyone lucky enough to be at this event.”

Hubbard volunteered to participate in  the toy delivery in the spirit of expanding his role with the wildly popular Parade of Trees charitable holiday initiative which is a collaboration with his record label, Universal Music Group Nashville and Gaylord Opryland Resort, to benefit the First Responders Children’s Foundation. In addition to Hubbard, the initiative features country artists including Grand Ole Opry members Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Little Big Town and Reba McEntire, along with George Strait, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Bryan, Maddie & Tae and Sam Hunt. Each artist has decorated a tree specifically to their style or album, with the trees on display at Gaylord Opryland Resort now through January 5, 2023, as a self-guided tour. Along with their trees, country music’s biggest stars have each donated “Once in a Lifetime” VIP experiences (fly-aways, VIP concert experiences, exclusive merchandise and more) all to benefit First Responders Children’s Foundation, which are available now through January 10, 2023 at www.CharityStars.com/ParadeOfTrees. Proceeds raised will provide scholarships and mental health services to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.

“We are thrilled to welcome local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, to the Parade of Trees family,” said Dawn Gates, Senior Vice President at Universal Music Group Nashville. “And we are especially grateful to Tyler, First Responders Children’s Foundation and Mattel for generously making this toy-delivery happen for the children. Their smiling faces when they received their toys are what the holiday season is all about.”

Following the Hospital toy delivery, the caravan moved on to the hospital’s Seacrest Studio where Hubbard played several songs for children and their families who also received holiday toys.

“It’s always an honor to visit the kids at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt,” says Hubbard. “Thanks to Mattel and First Responders Children’s Foundation for making this happen for the kids. Spending time with the kids was so special, and I hope we brought some joy to these families this holiday season. This is truly what the holidays are all about.”

“The Mattel Children’s Foundation is thrilled to once again partner with the First Responders Children’s Foundation for their amazing holiday Toy Express as part of our Play it Forward holiday giving,” remarked Nancy Molenda, Executive Director of Mattel Children’s Foundation. “Even more so, we’re excited that they asked us to donate over 2,000 toys to the incredible Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to bring the gift of play to these deserving children this holiday season.”

“We are incredibly appreciative of Tyler Hubbard, First Responders Children’s Foundation, Universal Music Group Nashville and Gaylord Opryland Resort for their generosity and support of Monroe Carell during the holiday season,” said Meg Rush, MD, MMHC, President of Monroe Carell. “The giving spirit of all involved is what makes our Nashville community such a special place and will go a long way to brighten a hospital stay for many children and families.”

Tyler Hubbard is planning on a low-key holiday this year with his wife Hayley and three children — Olivia, Luka and Atlas. They usually head out to Idaho to go play in the snow, but this year, he says, they’ll be sticking around their Nashville home for Christmas.

“I love Christmas as well,” says Tyler. “You know, I think it’s taking time away from work and just kind of getting grounded again, spending good quality time with family and friends, and just the spirit around that time of year just feels great. It feels that people are just kind and happy and for the most part, in a great spirit. So, for me, it is one of my favorite times of year. We usually go out to Idaho and spend it in the mountains and watch the kids play in the snow and all that, but this year, we’re gonna stick around Nashville, and I’m actually really excited just to be home and just really relax, spend some time with family and remember what we’re all here for, you know?”

Tyler’s been working hard getting ready to release his self-titled solo debut album at the end of January, so he’s looking forward to taking a few weeks off and have some much needed down-time and relaxation over the holidays.

“We’re gonna try to lay low and kind of have a low-key Christmas with the family,” he says. “It’s been a really kind of a hectic last six months in a great way, but I’ve really been just pushing hard, working hard knowing that when the holidays hit, I’m gonna relax for a few weeks and then really prepare for end of January and getting ready to rock hard next year.”

His favorite holiday movie to watch is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. “Ohhh, I still love Chevy Chase – Christmas Vacation. I mean, I know it’s a classic, but it gets me every time. It’s one of my faves.”

As part of Gaylord Opryland Resort’s 39^th annual A Country Christmas event, Universal Music Group Nashville is hosting Parade of Trees, a display where their world-renowned artists have come together to showcase Christmas trees decorated by Grand Ole Opry members Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Little Big Town and Reba McEntire, along with George Strait, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Bryan, Maddie & Tae, Sam Hunt and Tyler Hubbard.

This Holiday season, Universal Music Group Nashville is offering you the chance to win “Once in a Lifetime” VIP Experiences from some of your favorite artists. All proceeds will help the First Responders Children’s Foundation provide scholarships and mental health services to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. You could win Luke Bryan’s “Country On” Las Vegas VIP Experience, Kacey Musgraves’ “Nashville Favorites,” George Strait’s “King Of Country Flyaway,” and many more! Visit CharityStars.com/ParadeofTrees to enter and use code HOLIDAYS for 100 extra entries.

https://twitter.com/littlebigtown/status/1600587246591217669

CMT revealed its newest lineup of rising artists to watch in its highly anticipated 2023 CMT LISTEN UP program, which recognizes and supports country music’s most promising newcomers across CMT platforms. The year-long initiative is committed to raising support for these artists via full cross-brand support for their music and videos across CMT and CMT Music, CMT Hot 20 Countdown, CMT Hits on Pluto TV, CMT.com and @CMT social platforms, in additional to opportunities with other brands across Paramount Media Network including live events, Paramount Times Square NYC Billboard and more. UMG’s Catie Offerman, Dalton Dover and The War and Treaty are among the artists taking part in the program, which also includes Bailey Zimmerman, Chapel Hart, Jackson Dean and Zach Bryan, among others.

“We’re thrilled to welcome this exciting list of new artists to our 2023 LISTEN UP initiative,” shared Leslie Fram, SVP of Music & Talent at CMT.  “Each of these acts stand out in their authenticity and are already finding an audience with exceptional music. We look forward to amplifying their content across all CMT platforms and building long lasting relationships with this dynamic group of individuals.”

The following 20 artists join CMT’s prestigious 2023 LISTEN UP roster:

• Ashley Cooke
• Bailey Zimmerman
• Brandon Ratcliff
• Catie Offerman
• Chapel Hart
• Cody Belew
• Conner Smith
• Corey Kent
• Dalton Dover
• Drake Milligan
• Hannah Ellis
• Ian Munsick
• Jackson Dean
• Kameron Marlowe
• Madeline Edwards
• Nate Smith
• Pillbox Patti
• The War And Treaty
• Warren Zeiders
• Zach Bryan

Since 2011, CMT’s LISTEN UP franchise has introduced new talent to the brand’s passionate fan base and has helped launch the careers of many country sensations. Some notable alumni of the franchise include: Ashley McBryde, Blanco Brown, BRELAND, Brett Eldredge, Brittney Spencer, Carly Pearce, Dan + Shay, Gabby Barrett, Ingrid Andress, Jimmie Allen, Jon Pardi, Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, Lily Rose, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Morgan Wade, Thomas Rhett, Walker Hayes and Yola among others.

For updates and more information, visit CMT.com, follow @CMT on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok and use #CMTListenUP to join the conversation.

Here are a few liners for your St. Jude Radiothon, if you need them.

Click here to download.

Reba McEntire will be featured on ABC News’ “Superstar” series, set to air tomorrow, December 8th at 10p ET, available the next day on Hulu.

From her humble beginnings on an Oklahoma cattle ranch to her rise as one of country music’s most influential stars, this one-hour special explores the experiences, triumphs and losses that made Reba a household name. Rare childhood photos and intimate behind-the-scenes videos reveal her story of grit and determination in a male-dominated industry.

Did you know @Reba's iconic rendition of “Fancy” was almost never recorded?

Tune in to “Superstar: Reba McEntire” on @ABCNetwork Dec. 8 at 10 p.m. ET and streaming next-day on Hulu for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into making the iconic song. #SuperstarRebaMcEntire #Reba pic.twitter.com/5NTwHdYMei

— ABC News Studios (@abcnewsstudios) December 6, 2022

The star-studded TV event features interviews with artists that know and admire Reba, including Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Dolly Parton, Kristin Chenoweth, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Melissa Peterman, Miranda Lambert, Nick Jonas, Vince Gill and Wynonna Judd.

Reba’s new holiday album, Reba: The Ultimate Christmas Collection is available now along with limited-edition festive merch.

Reba will conclude the fall leg of her Reba: Live In Concert tour on Dec. 16 and is set to kick off a spring run in March. Her upcoming Lifetime movie “Reba McEntire’s The Hammer” premieres Jan. 7 at 8p EST on Lifetime.

Carrie Underwood was named The Country Artist of 2022 at Tuesday night’s (December 6th) People’s Choice Awards. In her acceptance speech, she made it all about the fans. “This whole night is all about the fans, and I certainly have just the most incredible fans. You guys have supported me for many years, especially out on the road this year. So, thank you guys so much for all the love. Thank you for this. What a wonderful early Christmas gift! I can’t thank you enough.”

https://twitter.com/peopleschoice/status/1600339558037495808

Shania Twain performed a medley of her hits at Tuesday night’s People’s Choice Awards, including “Any Man Of Mine,” “That Don’t Impress Me” (exchanging Brad Pitt’s name for the present — and delighted — Ryan Reynolds) and “Man! I Feel Like A Woman” before accepting the much-deserved 2022 Music Icon Award.

https://twitter.com/ShaniaTwain/status/1600475214026051584

I can’t think of a more iconic, smart and beautiful person to not impress all that much. Thank you for an amazing night, @ShaniaTwain ❤️ https://t.co/od2KsUoo2s

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 7, 2022

Mickey Guyton was named TIME Magazine’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year for 2022. She talked to the iconic outlet about her year of growth, singing the National Anthem at this year’s Super Bowl, why LeAnn Rimes feeds her soul, motherhood and so much more.

Thank you so much @TIME for this incredible honor. I’m so grateful. My cup overflows. Look at God. https://t.co/PlGBB2Gpl6

— Mickey Guyton (@MickeyGuyton) December 6, 2022

Brothers Osborne‘s John Osborne joined AshleyMcBryde on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday night (December 6th) to perform her song “Gospel Night at the Strip Club,” from Ashley’s album, Lindeville.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhi3UTTReDo

Caylee Hammack and newcomer Dalton Dover have been tapped to perform during the CMA’s series as part of next year’s C2C: Country to Country festival in the U.K. Serving as the official kickoff leading into C2C, Dalton will be part of the CMA Songwriters Series show on March 9th, which will also include Lainey Wilson and Nate Smith. Caylee will be joined by Alana Springsteen and Tyler Braden for the series Introducing Nashville as the festivals opening set at The O2 in London March 10th, The Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, March 11th, and 3Arena in Dublin March 12th.

Tyler Hubbard has released his new single, “Dancin’ In The Country,” which is the follow-up to his recent No. 1 smash “5 Foot 9” and was the most added song at country radio this week.

He co-wrote “Dancin’ In The Country” with Keith Urban, Ross Copperman and Jon Nite, and Tyler says it was inspired by the dance parties he and his family have just about every night.

“I was fortunate enough to get to write this with Ross Copperman, Jon Nite and Keith Urban, who’s just incredible as a writer and a guitarist, and he and Ross Copperman really helped capture the feel and emotion of this song sonically and also me and Jon Nite really tried to dial in the lyrics and they were also very helpful with that,” he says. “But just an incredible day of songwriting and a really cool song that came from it and a song that sounds like nothing else on the project, and honestly, a song that was inspired by these nightly dance parties we’ve been having in my house after dinner. Me and the three kids and my wife we go in the playroom, turn the party lights on just about every night and have a dance party. So, this is one of those songs that always worked in the dance parties  and feels like something that’ll be really fun to take on tour and play live and hopefully get the crowd moving the way the kids do during the dance parties. So, ‘Dancin’ In The Country’ is just a fun one.”

The song is from his upcoming self-titled album, which will be available January 27th.

The members of Little Big Town have their own traditions, but one they’ve all seemed to have adopted is Kimberly Schlapman’s annual holiday tradition.

“My favorite holiday tradition is, it’s happened every year that I can remember that I’ve been alive,” she says. “We would go over to my grandmother’s house and have Christmas over there, and everybody would come home to Mama and Daddy’s house. We’d sit down and Mama hands out everybody a gift, and we act like we don’t what it is, but we do ’cause it’s always Christmas pajamas. So, everybody opens their Christmas pajamas and goes and puts ’em on, and we come back to the living room and we sit around Daddy and he reads ‘The Christmas Story,’ and we tuck ourselves in until Santa comes.”

One of Karen Fairchild’s traditions include making candy. “Christmases at our house usually included making candy with my mother and my grandmother,” says Karen. “We did everything from potato candy to chocolate dipped peanut butter (JIMI: “That all sounds amazing.”) and fudge. My mom’s fudge recipe is amazing.” KIMBERLY: “What is potato candy?” KAREN: “It does use a potato, but it’s rolled and it has peanut butter inside.”

The Christmas holiday season for the group begins with movies and music. “One of our favorite Christmas traditions is gathering around the television to watch holiday movies,” says Karen. “And I know [for] Kimberly, it starts with [KIMBERLY: “It’s a Wonderful Life.”] It’s a Wonderful Life. Ours is holiday movies and records, like certain records have to be played in order for Jimi.”  Jimi is adamant about beginning with a certain artist. “You have to start out the season right with Elvis, a little Elvis Presley.”

A couple of years ago, Kimberly released a children’s book, A DOLLY FOR CHRISTMAS: The True Story of a Family’s Christmas Miracle.  A DOLLY FOR CHRISTMAS celebrates the season’s themes of hope, love, and family as it explores a family’s adoption process. Inspired by Schlapman’s struggle to conceive her second child and how she and her family decided to adopt, the book delves into how Schlapman’s  first daughter wrote letters to Santa Claus about her desire for a sibling until the family was actually surprised by their new baby girl, Dolly, days before Christmas. In the story, all Daisy wants for Christmas is a little brother or sister. Her parents have tried everything to make her dream come true, but nothing is working. So Daisy takes matters into her own hands, praying every day and writing a letter to Santa Claus about her one and only wish. Daisy’s parents are touched by her strong belief and grateful for her help, but as they explain, sometimes you have to wait. God will give you the perfect gift when the time is right. In this heartwarming holiday tale, Schlapman shares the true story of the Christmas when her family became whole.

Luke Bryan and his family have a few different traditions for Christmas, but one of the most enduring one for the Bryan family is dressing up in holiday PJs and having chili dogs on Christmas Eve.

“We have a pajama night and we do chili dogs on Christmas Eve, and we’ve always done that.  My mother comes up and we go shop. She makes me go shop with her, so we have to pick out all the right stuff. We have to get the proper buns, the proper wieners. It’s very important.  All beef wieners for the chili dog cooking. It’s a ritual. So, we’re eating chili dogs in pajamas, and so it’s special anytime you can come up with fun traditions and hold true to them. Yeah, so cooking chili dogs in a onesie is pretty special.”

No word on what his wife Caroline will be getting him this year, but he does say her gift a few years ago was the most meaningful — she tracked down his late brother’s truck and presented it to him one Christmas. “By far the best Christmas present I have ever gotten and will ever get was when my wife Caroline went and found my brother’s old pickup truck from 1996 that they found the VIN number and it was down in Louisiana and it was still on the road.  And her and my dad went down, they picked it up, brought it to Nashville and Christmas Eve night pulled into the driveway with it, and let’s just say that yes, the tears were flowing, and it will never be topped. I don’t know how you’ll ever top it. What an amazing moment for me and my family and it was pretty special.  And that truck is where we do our turkey hunting; it’s the turkey hunting truck. So, all my turkey hunting gear stays in there, and when the boys see me pull up in my brother’s truck, they know we’re fixing to go turkey hunting.”

Also, one of his favorite Christmas gifts as a child had wheels and a motor, as well. “My favorite Christmas gift is definitely my first Honda 50 motorcycle that I got back in 1984. It was just an amazing gift to have under the tree, and I never will forget seeing that as I walked out.”

This year, plans might be altered slightly since Luke’s wife Caroline had hip surgery recently. During the holidays, the Bryan fam usually goes to the mountains and go skiing, plus the country superstar also takes his boys out hunting.

Find audio below of him talking about the unique tradition, his most meaningful Christmas gift, his favorite Christmas movie and much more.

Luke is poised to climb to the top of the country charts with his latest single, “Country On.”