The most illustrious of the country class of 2012 will gather December 8^th for the CMT Artists of the Year special…

The event is a country music gathering of the year’s biggest artists. But who will make this year’s star-studded list?

For the first time since the AOTY’s inaugural show in 2010, CMT is keeping the names of this year’s artists hush-hush until the event airs.

Previous recipients of the honor include Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Zac Brown Band.

Catch the 2012 CMT Artists of the Year special December 8^th at 11 Eastern and Pacific only on CMT.

(Pictured above are the honorees from the 2011 CMT Artists of the Year special.)