Top stars from the entertainment and sports worlds gathered Monday night for the 2012 CMT Artists of the Year special. Honoring the achievements of several of the year’s hottest country music artists, the TV special was taped near Nashville. Rascal Flatts and Nashville actress Hayden Panettiere hosted the celebration, but the list of honorees is being kept top secret until they are revealed when the special airs Saturday. Among those participating in this year’s CMT Artists of the Year special are Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, Rodney Carrington, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, baseball great Roger Clemens, Sheryl Crow, the Eli Young Band, Late Late Show host Craig Ferguson, Mike Fisher of the Nashville Predators, Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Sammy Hagar, Merle Haggard, Hunter Hayes, Metallica’s James Hetfield, former Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, Toby Keith, Kid Rock, Miranda Lambert, rapper Ludacris, Kacey Musgraves, Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson, Kenny Rogers, Thompson Square, OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, Carrie Underwood and Chris Young.