Third annual 2012 CMT Artists of the Year ..

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The celebrity line-up for the third annual 2012 CMT Artists of the Year TV recently is becoming finalized, with appearances or performances by Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Eli Young Band, Sammy Hagar, Hunter Hayes, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, "Duck Dynasty" star Willie Robertson, Kenny Rogers, Thompson Square, Carrie Underwood, Chris Young, and more to be announced.

Rascal Flatts and "Nashville" actress Hayden Panettiere will host the 90-minute event that honors the top country acts of 2012 when it premieres on Saturday, December 8 on CMT,

For the first time ever, CMT is keeping the list of honorees secret until they are revealed on the night of Saturday, December 8.

Past artists named as CMT Artists of the Year include Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Zac Brown Band.

Third annual 2012 CMT Artists of the Year TV special coming Dec. 8