Top stars from the entertainment and sports worlds gathered Monday night (Dec. 3) for the
2012
CMT Artists of the Year special. Honoring the achievements of several of the year's hottest country music artists, the
TV special was taped near Nashville.
Rascal Flatts and
Nashville actress Hayden
Panettiere hosted the celebration, but the list of honorees is being kept top secret until they are revealed when the special
airs Saturday. Among those participating in this year's CMT Artists of the Year special are
Jason
Aldean,
Lady Antebellum,
Luke Bryan,
Rodney
Carrington,
Kenny Chesney,
Eric Church,
baseball great Roger Clemens,
Sheryl Crow, the
Eli
Young Band,
Late Late Show host Craig Ferguson, Mike Fisher of the Nashville Predators, Academy Award-winning actor
Morgan Freeman, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Sammy Hagar,
Merle Haggard,
Hunter
Hayes, Metallica's James Hetfield, former Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones,
Toby
Keith,
Kid Rock,
Miranda Lambert,
rapper Ludacris,
Kacey Musgraves,
Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson,
Kenny
Rogers,
Thompson Square, OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder,
Carrie
Underwood and
Chris Young. The 2012 CMT Artists of the Year special premieres Saturday
at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CMT.
