COUNTRTY MUSIC NEWS

HOLIDAY SPECIALS: Taylor, Sugarland, Brad

'Tis the season for holiday specials and concerts ...

• Thanksgiving morning Carrie Underwood performs on the Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS while Gloriana and Crystal Shawanda take part in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

• Later that day, Keith Urban performs at halftime of the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints game kicking off the Salvation Army's Kettle Campaign. The game starts at 3:15 p.m. [CT] on FOX. That night Taylor Swift's Speak Now TV special is set to air Thanksgiving night at 8 p.m. [ET] on NBC. Set your DVRs because airing opposite Taylor on CNN is Sugarland, who appear on the poignant CNN Heroes.

• Monday night, celebrate the holidays with Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, Kellie Pickler and LeAnn Rimes on the CMA Christmas Special. Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles hosts the star-studded event, which airs at 9:30 p.m. [ET] on ABC.

ALAN JACKSON: Greatest Hitmaker Honored

Alan Jackson will receive the Greatest Hits Award at December 6th's American Country Awards. The honor goes to the performer who has established a catalog of number-one hits, but also recognizes his contribution to country music.

This is the first year for the award and for the ACAs, which will which will air live from Las Vegas on FOX.

BRAD PAISLEY: Anything Like Him

Brad Paisley's kids, 3 year-old Huck and 19 month-old Jasper are completely different. Huck has his disposition and focus. Jasper, well that's another story. Brad tells us, "He's sort of the opposite of me. And in some ways is becoming my favorite, just by the fact that he's not like me." He says that having kids with completely different personalities makes for a fun family.

QUICK SHOTS:

• Gloriana is the first featured country artist on the new Facebook game application "Nightclub City." The game allows members to build their own virtual nightclub with options including being the DJ, hiring friends and building a playlist.