Jordan Davis & Lauren Daigle Bring Southern Charm and Holiday Magic to the 16th Annual CMA Country Christmas
Jordan Davis and Lauren Daigle are stepping into the spotlight together this year as co-hosts of the 16th annual CMA Country Christmas, and from the moment they walked onto the Nashville set, it was clear they were a perfect match for the job.
Filmed in front of a live audience, this year’s broadcast promises the familiar warmth, festive atmosphere, and star-powered performances fans have come to expect since the show first premiered in 2010. For Davis, hosting the special feels like stepping into a tradition he’s loved for years.
“To me, CMA Country Christmas is the thing that kicks off Christmas,” he said with a grin. “And I’ve told Lauren this — my children are obsessed with Lauren Daigle. So I get to be the cool dad tonight.”
Daigle laughed, replying, “I love making cool dads.”
The chemistry between the two is effortless, helped in part by their shared Louisiana roots. Davis noted that everything about partnering with Daigle has been easy: “Both from Louisiana, obviously. Lauren’s crazy talented at everything, so she’s made it very easy.”
Daigle agreed. “I think it is the Louisiana thing. We just have that connection, and it’s fun bringing that to the CMA Christmas stage. I think we’re going to have a good time.”
Beyond hosting, the pair also reflected on the holiday season itself. Daigle talked about her favorite traditions, especially the warmth of gathering together — and the importance of a good fire. “You cannot have Christmas without a solid fire, whether it’s outside or inside,” she said.
Davis praised the growing Christmas traditions within his own family. With relatives traveling to Nashville each year, the celebrations have only gotten bigger. One of his favorite December rituals? Packing the Belcourt Theater with family — kids and all — to watch It’s A Wonderful Life. “Last year we had about 15 of us in there,” he said, laughing. “Kids running everywhere, probably driving everyone else crazy — but it’s my favorite thing to do every Christmas.”
The evening will feature a stacked lineup of solo performances and collaborations from Riley Green, Lady A, Little Big Town, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, BeBe Winans, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band — a perfect blend of classic holiday comfort and New Orleans soul.
CMA Country Christmas airs Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 9/8c on ABC, with streaming available the next day on Hulu and Disney+. The special is produced by the Country Music Association, executive produced by Robert Deaton, directed by Milton Sneed, and written by Jon Macks.
With Jordan Davis and Lauren Daigle leading the celebration, this year’s show is set to be the perfect kickoff to the season — equal parts cozy, joyful, and unmistakably Southern.