Celebrating the top acts the genre has to offer, the stars of country music joined forces to tape the 2011 CMT Artists of the Year event in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday night (November 29).

Taking place at the Bridgestone Arena, Taylor Swift was the belle pf the ball as she dazzled the arrivals area in a bright red frock while chatting it up with the ceremony's host, actor Rob Lowe.

Prior to showtime, Taylor kept her legions of fans in the know by tweeting, "Getting ready to head to the CMT Artist of the Year taping- blasting 'Keep You With Me' by @hotchellerae. This song = pop melodic goodness."

Joining Miss Swift as the five acts comprising the 2011 CMT Artists of the Year were fellow attendees including Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum and Brad Paisley.

Featuring performances and appearances by Ellen DeGeneres, Gavin DeGraw, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, Miranda Lambert, Matthew McConaughey, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, Lionel Richie, the All-American Rejects, the Avett Brothers and Hank Williams Jr., the country showcase is set to premiere on December 13th at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CMT.