Zach Williams and Lainey Wilson teamed up for one of the most unexpected musical moments during the 2023 CMA Country Christmas special on Thursday night (Dec. 14), turning in a remarkably fresh rendition of “Go Tell It on the Mountain.”

The Christian rock artist and the currently reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year put a jaw-dropping spin on the traditional gospel standard, adding a strong backbeat and peppering the arrangement with funky bass, electric guitar accents and horns that brought a funk-tinged, soulful Louisiana swamp-rock element to the song.

That arrangement proved a perfect match for Williams’ vocal grit, and Wilson met his challenge head-on, offering up her own soulful screams and high-octane vocals

Zach Williams and Lainey Wilson – “Go Tell It On A Mountain” | CMA Country Christmas 2023

The performance was just one of many musical high points during the annual broadcast, which Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood co-hosted in 2023.

Grant and Yearwood teamed with violinist Lindsey Stirling for “Joy to the World,” and Yearwood and Stirling stunned the crowd with “O Holy Night.” The War and Treaty earned a standing ovation with “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).”

Jordan Davis, Lady A, Ashley McBryde and Jon Pardi were also part of the stellar lineup.

The evening’s other performances included:

Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Amy Grant, “Grown Up Christmas List”

Jordan Davis, “O Come All Ye Faithful”

Lady A, “What Christmas Means to Me”

Ashley McBryde and Lindsey Stirling, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”

Jon Pardi, “Beer for Santa”

Scroll through the pictures below to see more highlights from the 2023 CMA Country Christmas special.

PICTURES: See Highlights From the 2023 ‘CMA Country Christmas’ Special

Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood teamed to host the 2023 CMA Country Christmas, and the show includes performances from a long list of top country singers.

Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker

Acacia Evans, CMA
Amy Grant performs at the 2023 CMA Country Christmas concert in Nashville.

Josh Brasted, CMA
Trisha Yearwood performs at the 2023 CMA Country Christmas event.

Josh Brasted, CMA
Lady A performs “What Christmas Means to Me” at the 2023 CMA Country Christmas special.

Josh Brasted, CMA

Jon Pardi performs “Beer for Santa” at the 2023 CMA Country Christmas event in Nashville.

Josh Brasted, CMA
Jordan Davis performs “O Come All Ye Faithful” during the 2023 CMA Country Christmas special.

Acacia Evans, CMA
The War And Treaty perform “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)” at the 2023 CMA Country Christmas.

Josh Brasted, CMA
Lindsey Sterling and Ashley McBryde perform “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” at the 2023 CMA Country Christmas.

Acacia Evans, CMA
Zach Williams and Laney Wilson perform ‘Go Tell It on the Mountain” during the 2023 CMA Country Christmas special.