CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR PHOTOS

Rascal Flatts and actress Hayden Panettiere, star of ABC's Nashville, will honor the top country acts of 2012 as hosts of the third annual CMT Artists of the Year special premiering Dec. 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The 90-minute special is the most exclusive gathering of country music superstars of the year and celebrates the class of 2012 with an evening of wall-to-wall performances and special appearances from others in the entertainment field. For the first time ever, CMT is keeping the list of honorees top secret until they are revealed on the night of the telecast. Previous honorees include Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown Band.