The old saying is that country music and college football go together like a beer and burger. Ok, that's not an old saying, but it's been said now.

This year, before the top two teams in the nation battle for the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship, the first ever "CMT Ultimate Kickoff Party Live From the College Football Playoff National Championship" is taking place. Featured performers include country stars Big & Rich, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum and Brett Eldredge.

The live 90-minute television special premieres on CMT Jan. 9 at 9 p.m. EST. The concert special marks a first-time partnership with CMT and College Football Playoff and is the kickoff entertainment event at the national championship playoff weekend. The special will be broadcast from the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas. More artists will soon be announced.

Big & Rich is comprised of Big Kenny and "The Celebrity Apprentice" winner John Rich. The multi-platinum hit duo's current single "Look At You, " from their "Gravity" CD, is shooting up the charts. The country superstars' first studio album, "Horse of a Different Color," includes their hit infectious single, "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)." Other hits of theirs include, "Comin' to Your City," "8th of November" and their No.1 smash "Lost in this Moment." "Comin' to Your City" is nearing a decade as the theme song for ESPN s "College GameDay" show.