Thomas Rhett, Lainey Wilson and Lynyrd Skynyrd will help ring in the new year in Nashville, as the first performers announced for CBS’ New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash, airing Sunday, Dec. 31 from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET/PT. The annual concert will put Nashville in the national spotlight, highlighting a range of artists, including some of country music’s current premier performers and several of the city’s beloved venues.
ACM entertainer of the year winner Thomas Rhett just headlined two electrifying shows at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, while current CMA entertainer of the year nominee Wilson just earned her third Billboard Country Airplay No. 1 hit. Meanwhile, southern rock practitioners Lynyrd Skynyrd is gearing up to celebrate five decades since the band’s debut album. They will perform at Nashville’s Bicentennial Park stage.
Thomas Rhett, Wilson and Lynyrd Skynyrd are just a few of the performers that can be expected during the five-hour show, which will feature more than 50 performances from venues across Nashville, including the mainstage at Nashville’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Additionally, the music-filled evening will conclude with the anticipated Nashville note drop and fireworks at midnight CT.
The show will also stream on Paramount+, live and on demand for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers and on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs.
“Building on what we have established over the last two years by focusing on our artists, the fans and the vibrancy of downtown Nashville, this year’s lineup is shaping up to be our most exciting yet. We will celebrate 50 years of the iconic southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, the skyrocketing Lainey Wilson and country music superstar Thomas Rhett, with over a dozen artists and special guests still to be announced,” said executive producer Robert Deaton in a statement. “Nashville is quickly becoming THE destination for New Year’s Eve, and we are honored that CBS wants to help us continue to show off our music and incredible city with a new multi-year deal!”
The Bicentennial Park stage is free and open to the public.
New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash is executive produced by Deaton and Mary Hilliard Harrington in partnership with the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. The special will be directed by Sandra Restrepo.
