What's better than the lighting of the world's most famous Christmas tree? Adding country artists like Lauren Alaina and Kelly Clarkson to the celebration!

When NBC celebrates the live lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center on Wednesday (Dec. 4), Alaina, Clarkson and Jewel will add a little bit of twang to the mix, performing at the annual holiday extravaganza.

Other performers booked to start off the season include: Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds, the Goo Goo Dolls, Ashanti, Ariana Grande, Leona Lewis and Audra McDonald. (Note: Alaina and Ashanti will perform only in the 7-8PM ET hour airing on select NBC stations). The holiday show will be hosted by 'Today' anchors Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Natalie Morales.

This year marks the 81st Christmas tree lighting in the iconic center, and it's not just any old Christmas tree. It's a 76-foot Norway Spruce that is 47 feet in diameter and weighs approximately 12 tons, estimated to be about 75 years old. The lighting will showcase more than 45,000 energy-efficient multi-colored LED lights, topped with a 9-and-a-half-foot LED-lit Swarovski crystal star.

It's a far cry from the beginning of this tradition, which dates back to the Great Depression; the tree was first erected in 1933, and at the time only needed 700 lights to cover its boughs.

We're not sure what will shine brighter -- the actual star, or the performers! Not only are Clarkson and Alaina fantastic vocalists, they also both did well on 'American Idol,' with Clarkson winning the first year and Alaina coming in as runner-up on the 10th season of the show.

In 2012, Scotty McCreery and Trace Adkins were just a few of the performers who helped ring in the holiday season with the annual Rockefeller Center celebration. In 2013, country's leading ladies will take their turn at making this season merry and bright!

 

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