Rascal Flatts and Nashville star Hayden Panettiere are set to co-host the 2012 CMT Artists of the Year special premiering Saturday, December 8 at 11 p.m. ET. The show honors the top country artists with performances and special appearances from celebrities across the entertainment world.

"We are honored to be co-hosting the CMT Artists of the Year show with Hayden," says Rascal Flatts bass player Jay DeMarcus . "We're gonna have a blast."

Hayden adds that Nashville is now her second home and says, "I am so happy to be embraced by the country community and to be included in such a big event, especially with Rascal Flatts. I can’t wait to see how the evening unfolds!”

As a special twist this year, CMT is keeping the Artist of the Year honorees a secret until they are revealed on December 8.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio