- - ‘70s Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Lead Classic Rock New Year’s Eve Celebration

Craig RosenDecember 17, 2025 at 8:58 PM

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(Photo by NDZ/Star Max/GC Images)

While ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Evespecial from Times Square will feature some current artists like Chappell Roan and HUNTR/X of KPop Demon Hunters, a competing special that’ll air on Nextstar TV stations has a decidedly classic rock-leaning lineup.

Coast-to-Coast Countdown 2026 so heavily features 1970s and ‘80s acts, viewers may be left asking themselves what year it is.

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The show’s bill includes Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Foreigner, along with Styx, UB40, Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, 38 Special, and the Marshall Tucker Band.

Rounding out the lineup is veteran country singer-songwriter Mac McAnally and Bri Bagwell, who was named Texas Female Artist of the Decade in 2021, but is a relative newcomer compared to the others on the bill.

The special, staged in New York, Dallas, Phoenix, and Las Vegas, is set to air on 138 Nexstar-owned and partner stations in 116 markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Chicago, and Tampa.

“‘Coast-to-Coast Countdown 2026 is a phenomenal production that brings together millions of viewers throughout the U.S. and Nexstar is excited to be able to provide such quality entertainment on more than 100 of our local television stations and their streaming platforms,” said Andrew Alford, President of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, in a statement. “Whether you catch just a few minutes at midnight, or stay tuned in for the entire celebration, this year’s production has something for every member of the family—great music, iconic locations, and fireworks across the country. We’re looking forward to the best New Year’s Eve broadcast yet.”

Along with the musical performances, the special will feature the midnight ball-drop in New York City with hosts JD Roberto and Marysol Castro, a fireworks and drone show from Reunion Tower in Dallas, fireworks from Gila River Resorts and Casinos, near Phoenix, with hosts Brad Perry and Teresa Strasser live from the development’s Rawhide Western Town, and a 10-minute fireworks show launched from the rooftops of nine hotels on the Las Vegas strip, hosted by Michael Yo and Nikki Novak.

Interestingly, a promotional image for the special features photos of the hosts and mentions the fireworks and locations, but none of the music acts performing. It does, however, give them a nod with the phrase “songs you know by heart.”

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However, some other posts, including a recent one by Los Angeles Nextstar affiliate KTLA, gives some love to at least one of the bands, Cheap Trick.

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This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”