For Jennifer Nettles, Christmas Is the Busiest Time of the Year

Jennifer Nettles is one busy woman. The host of the 2016 CMA Country Christmas, the singer is also a performer and dancer in the show, which airs Nov. 28 on ABC.

In addition to the holiday broadcast, Nettles has released her own holiday album, To Celebrate Christmas, and will continue her role as Dolly Parton's mother during this year's televised film Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.

"I like to think that it took me seven years to audition all this music to find out what I wanted to sing the most," Nettles tells Taste of Country and other reporters backstage at the taping of CMA Country Christmas in regard to her new holiday album. "It's about time, it's the year to do it."

It's also the year of plenty of dancing for the singer, as she assists in the energetic opening routine of CMA Country Christmas.

"I always look forward every year to the opener because it's a huge show opener with huge production. Dancing and lights and lots of fun madness," she shares. "For me this year, the two collaborations that I have on my Christmas album with Andra Day and Idina Menzel, I'm super excited about those."

While Nettles admits that the show is often a blur in the moment because she's so "go-go-go," she does enjoy the rhythm of a live show. But she adds that she also likes watching the final production on television just as much as her hosting and performance duties.

A woman that seems to exude holiday spirit, Nettles also shared her favorite Christmas traditions with her family.

"I have a big Southern family, so we are always centered around food, and there's always lots of loud, cackling laughter," she says. "We don't have anything specific beyond that, just trying to make the point in everyone's busy lives to try and get together when we can."

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