CMT’s college football celebration just got more jam-packed with the help of Jake Owen, Maddie & Tae and Thomas Rhett. The artists have been added to the star-studded list of performers for CMT Ultimate Kickoff Party Live From the College Football Playoff National Championship set for Jan. 9 at 9 p.m. ET on CMT, CMT.com and the CMT App.

They join the previously announced lineup of Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Big & Rich and Brett Eldredge, who will all take the stage during the live 90-minute event at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.

The concert special marks a first-time partnership with CMT and the College Football Playoff and serves as the kickoff entertainment event for the national championship playoff weekend.

The four semifinal teams were announced by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee on Dec. 7. On New Year’s Day, No. 1-ranked University of Alabama and No. 4 Ohio State University meet in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, and No. 2 University of Oregon faces No. 3 Florida State University in the Rose Bowl. The winners of the two games will go head to head in the national championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Jan. 12.

As with the previously announced performers, this batch has its own connection to college football.

Owen is a Florida State alum and an avid Seminole supporter. Here he is hanging out with FSU’s head coach Jimbo Fisher earlier in the season.

Plus, Maddie & Tae’s Maddie Marlow is from Texas while Tae Dye is from Oklahoma, proving friendships can thrive among residents living in the midst of the Red River Showdown.

And Rhett’s a Georgia boy, so you know he’s going to stay true to his beloved black and red.

And reciprocating the love, ESPN gave country music a little shout-out with its recent commercial recapping the crazy year of college football. Enjoy the video treatment they’ve set to Ray Price’s classic recording of “For the Good Times”.

Check back to CMT.com often as we announce more details surrounding CMT Ultimate Kickoff Party Live From the College Football Playoff National Championship.