Hallmark Channel has confirmed it’s by no means too early to start out celebrating Christmas! Stars from the family-friendly community spent the week in Nashville, Tennessee, and JustJared.com received a behind-the-scenes have a look at how two days of festive occasions and fan experiences got here collectively.
This 12 months, Hallmark’s 24/7 schedule of Christmas content material started on October 17, with all-new motion pictures premiering each weekend till the tip of the 12 months. Twenty-four of the community’s greatest stars descended on Nashville, residence of the extremely anticipated film A Grand Ole Opry Christmas.
One in all Hallmark Channel’s distinguishing traits is the connection it maintains with its viewers. In an period when celebrities usually really feel distant, the community’s expertise continues to have interaction with followers by means of public appearances, conference meet and greets, and private traditions that stretch past the display.
Preserve studying to seek out out extra…
Followers of all ages lined up beginning at 5:30am on Wednesday morning (October 15) for meet and greets at two native Hallmark Gold Crown shops. Hallmark stars separated into two teams of 5 – Lacey Chabert, B.J. Britt, Ashley Williams, Brooke D’Orsay and Benjamin Ayres at one retailer and Tyler Hynes, Andrew Walker, Paul Campbell, Kimberley Sustad, and Rachel Boston on the different.
I tagged together with Lacey’s group in close by Franklin, Tennessee, the place the actress’ new merchandise with Hallmark have been on show and signed objects have been accessible for buy. Followers entered the shop one-by-one, or with their family members, and have been greeted by all 5 stars to take a gaggle photograph. Ashley proved to be an extremely personable host, exiting the shop after every photograph to seize the subsequent visitor, be taught their identify, after which introduce them to the remainder of the group. The non-public contact confirmed how a lot these actors care about their followers and wish to give them one of the best expertise they’ll.
One of many morning’s most touching moments occurred when a 12-year-old woman walked in with friendship bracelets for all the celebs. Though the Hallmark fan was shy at first, she got here out of her shell to inform Lacey what an enormous fan she was. The 2 hit it off and took a Polaroid photograph collectively. “She was so candy and simply made my day!” Lacey informed JustJared.com. “Getting to satisfy so many fantastic individuals crammed my coronary heart and was a blessing.”
By the tip of the morning, a whole lot of followers had met the actors, together with a mother-daughter duo who traveled all the way in which from London and cut up up between the 2 shops. One in all B.J.’s greatest followers received the shock of a lifetime when he answered the shop’s telephone to reply some customer support questions. The fan even confirmed up later to satisfy him in particular person!
The day continued on the Grand Ole Opry, the place the group met up with Nikki DeLoach, the star of Hallmark’s A Grand Ole Opry Christmas. Whereas filming on the Opry over the summer time, Nikki discovered concerning the venue’s lengthy historical past, so she was a pure match to offer a tour. Every dressing room is themed and adorned with attractive classic items to match the theme. Nikki‘s co-star Kristoffer Polaha was unable to attend the occasions as he’s presently filming an upcoming mission, however Opry Christmas forged members Sharon Lawrence, James Denton, Rob Mayes, Luke Benward, and Eliza Hayes Maher have been all there!
Strolling onto the stage of the Grand Ole Opry for the primary time was an unforgettable expertise! Nikki introduced us entrance and middle to “the circle,” a chunk of the stage that features the precise wooden that was salvaged from the unique Opry stage after a flood. At this time, each entertainer on the Opry stands within the circle whereas performing for the viewers, soaking in a chunk of the magic from days passed by.
Rachel Boston led the group – together with Nikki, Ashley, B.J., Brooke, Benjamin, Wes Brown, and Hallmark Channel exec Annie Thomas Howell – in a second of tune across the circle. They honored the historical past of the circle by dancing round it as they sang alongside to “Can the Circle Be Unbroken (By and By)” by The Carter Household.
“My grandparents went on their very first date on the Grand Ole Opry, so to face on that stage surrounded by so many individuals I really like, and within the circle from the unique stage, it felt like my grandmother was smiling down on us,” Rachel informed me about that second. “I don’t even keep in mind how we began singing that tune! It simply all felt so proper and I’m nonetheless smiling.”
After the backstage tour, the group reunited with the remainder of the Hallmark expertise, who have been stress-free within the inexperienced room at this level. A bunch journey to the Opry retailer led to some superb purchases, however extra on that later!
The primary main occasion of the week happened that afternoon on the Opry Plaza. Tons of of festively dressed followers in Santa hats waited by the primary stage for an opportunity to see all the stars. WSM Radio’s Kelly Sutton and Eryn Cooper launched the actors to the stage film by film, giving followers a sneak peek in any respect the unique motion pictures airing this season. The celebs had a blast developing with inventive methods to stroll on stage. Three Wisest Males actors Tyler Hynes, Paul Campbell, and Andrew Walker made a memorable entrance, forming a three-person piggyback chain. One of many radio hosts had one of the best commentary when she famous that it felt like watching the primary episode of The Bachelor, the place contestants attempt to provide you with distinctive methods to make an entrance!
After intros, followers received to satisfy the actors at varied installations on the plaza, together with a radio interview, a pink carpet second, and a number of festive meet and greet spots. The Cowboy Cannolis staff was on-site to hand-pipe contemporary cannolis for followers (and sure, they have been scrumptious).
Erin Cahill, star of the upcoming Christmas on the Catnip Cafe, stated concerning the afternoon, “Being backstage of the Opry was really a surreal second in life. And, to be there with our beloved Hallmark household and a few of my favourite people… My toes are nonetheless an inch off the ground.”
Being on the Opry was a homecoming for Nashville-native Ginna Claire Mason, who grew up within the metropolis earlier than later shifting to New York Metropolis to star on Broadway.
By the point the afternoon occasion was over, it was time to attend the Opry a centesimal Birthday Present, that includes Hallmark expertise all through the night time! Most of the nation music stars who carried out that night even have cameos in A Grand Ole Opry Christmas, together with Drew Baldridge, Mickey Guyton, and Tigerlily Gold. Hallmark stars appeared all through the night time to introduce musicians to the stage. Nikki opened up about her shifting private connection to the Opry, Ashley touched on being associated to nation music icon Brad Paisley, and The Groomsmen actors Tyler Hynes, B.J, Britt and Jonathan Bennett received as much as some hilarious hijinks on stage. Throughout their go to to the Opry retailer earlier within the day, the fellows all bought one in all Hallmark and the Grand Ole Opry’s pink sweaters and did their presentation whereas carrying them!
“We aren’t above a shameless model promotion,” Jonathan joked.
At one level throughout the present, a lady sitting in entrance of the Hallmark actors realized that they have been all behind her and she or he hilariously handed her telephone to Mistletoe Murders‘ Sarah Drew, asking her to have every male star snap a selfie on the telephone, together with co-star Peter Mooney. All of them obliged!
Day two of the journey began with the Hallmark actors giving again to the group, supporting a number of native causes. JustJared.com will fill you in on that particular morning within the close to future!
Within the night, Hallmark Channel took over Luke Combs’ bar, Class 10, for a festive night to kick off the vacation season. The actors cut up into two teams to be bussed over to the venue, the place they started the night time strolling the pink carpet and talking with varied press shops.
Final 12 months’s Vacation Landing star Hunter King was pulling double responsibility, filming on a brand new mission close by in-between her appearances on the Hallmark occasions.
“I had simply completed filming close by and as quickly as I wrapped I rushed over!” Hunter informed me. “I couldn’t wait to make it to the Countdown to Christmas occasion. Hallmark has created such a heat, joyful group, and I really feel so grateful to be a part of it. It’s really one of the particular instances of the 12 months, and celebrating that magic with Hallmark followers made the 2 days in Nashville unforgettable.”
Autumn Reeser gave off 60s glam vibes in her glowing outfit, which she stated got here collectively on the final minute. “There was a sizzling minute there the place I believed I could be strolling the pink carpet in exercise gear and never a Superhero-Sequin-Barbie cape, so I’m grateful for all the assistance I acquired in order that I may fly,” she famous.
The celebs and Hallmark VIPs went to a non-public ground contained in the venue for some phrases from Hallmark’s Chief Model Officer Darren Abbott, Head of Programming Michelle Vicary, and an unique efficiency from Brad Paisley and Megan Moroney.
“Christmas is de facto necessary to us at Hallmark. In truth, at Hallmark we form of have this saying that it’s Christmas on a regular basis,” Abbott stated. “We’re the most important producer of not solely Christmas motion pictures, but additionally Christmas playing cards, Christmas ornaments, and Christmas present wrap. So principally, you have fun Christmas with us, and we take that very significantly.”
“Our model stands for connection and caring and love, and I believe you’ll agree with me, this time of 12 months, the world wants that, and we’d like extra pleasure. And that’s what our model stands for,” he added.
Ashley launched her brother-in-law Brad Paisley to the stage for his efficiency—and revealed that he’s Hallmark’s greatest fan.
“There isn’t any larger Hallmark Christmas film fan than Brad Paisley,” she stated. “Brad Paisley has seen extra Christmas motion pictures than I’ve. And once I say that he’s seen them, he has invested in them. He referred to as me when A Fabled Vacation aired and the dad died after one cough. He was like, ‘That was too quick a transition. We didn’t even get to know him.’ He was upset!”
After the non-public live performance from Brad, together with a particular duet on “She’s The whole lot” together with his “greatest fan” Megan Moroney, everybody went to the venue’s second ground to mingle whereas having fun with the primary present with all of the followers. Most of the acts from the Grand Ole Opry returned for a second night time of performances at Class 10, together with Mickey and Drew performing their “Pleasure to the World” duet, a brand new unique tune featured within the Countdown to Christmas promo movies.
Lacey received the chance to satisfy Forest Blakk, one in all her favourite nation music stars, they usually snapped some selfies collectively!
After two action-packed days, lots of the actors let unfastened and danced the night time away, whereas some even went right down to the primary ground to hang around with followers. Tyler Hynes and Jonathan Bennett have been seen line dancing with followers and snapping selfies with anybody who wished one.
“It was necessary to hitch the followers as a result of I used to be born on the dance ground. My mom was a dancer and my father was a cowboy,” Tyler informed me. “I’d by no means [line danced] earlier than, and after that night time’s efficiency, I can’t in good conscience say that what I did was line dancing. It felt extra like falling in several instructions with individuals yelling at me taking photos. It was treasured.”
“And as for the viewers, there’s nobody I’d slightly spend time with,” Tyler added.
By 11pm, the occasion was winding down, however the social gathering was removed from over as Brad Paisley hosted the Hallmark household at his non-public bar for an after-party.
So, what’s the takeaway after spending two days with the Hallmark staff? It’s pleasure and love. The enjoyment that you simply see on display year-round radiates from all the individuals who work there, from the celebs to execs and everybody on workers. Hallmark Channel is called the place “the place love occurs,” and it’s clear that the love from everybody behind the scenes is what brings all of it collectively.
Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas programming slate simply started and can proceed by means of the tip of the 12 months. You continue to have an opportunity to be a part of one in all Hallmark’s unimaginable in-person occasions, with the Christmas Cruise crusing from November 6 by means of 10 and the Hallmark Christmas Expertise taking up Kansas Metropolis for 4 weekends from November 28 by means of December 21.
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Reporting by David Niederhoffer
