Big & Rich and “CMT Hot 20 Countdown” made network history recently when the show completed its first-ever trip overseas to a military base in Bahrain to tape two special holiday episodes that will air at the end of the year.
“Hot 20 Video of the Year Countdown” premieres Saturday, December 17th at 9 AM, ET|PT followed by “Hot 20 Holiday Salute” on Saturday, December 24th at 9 AM, ET|PT.
This was ‘Hot 20’s’ most ambitious production to date and being able to bring the troops a little closer to their families was a no-brainer for us,” said Quinn Brown, CMT executive producer. “Our military deserves special recognition any time of the year, but for the holiday season it’s particularly important to bring some joy to those overseas. Big & Rich did just that – what a phenomenal concert they put on for the thousands at the base. It was an absolute honor to be invited to NSA Bahrain and to be amongst so many brave and talented people.”
Partnering with Armed Forces Entertainment, Big & Rich, along with CMT’s Cody Alan visited the Naval Support Activity Bahrain, home to the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and U.S. 5th Fleet. Their trip, which included rocking performances from Big & Rich, special music video shout-outs from military personnel to their friends and family back home, tours of Arabian Gulf naval ships, physical training sessions with soldiers on base, artillery demos and more will be highlighted across both “Hot 20” specials.
This was a unique experience for us. It’s the first time that Armed Forces Entertainment has sent a tour to any of our locations that included a cable network’s camera crew,” said Major Jody Wynans, Chief of Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE). “The holidays typically represent a time when families get together, so to be able to provide our deployed service members with a little piece of home in the form of quality entertainment and hopefully cheer them up while they’re missing their loved ones, is what AFE is all about.”
Be sure to tune in this Saturday, December 17th for CMT’s Hot 20 Video Of The Year Countdown and for more info visit CMT.com, download the CMT app, like the show’s official Facebook page, follow @CMT on Twitter and Instagram and use hashtag #CMThot20.
For a complete list of tour dates and to learn more about Big and Rich visit their website at bigandrich.com.
