LeAnn Rimes and Ashley Monroe performed "Hard Candy Christmas" together at the Ryman Auditorium on December 14, 2025.

On December 14, 2025, LeAnn Rimes surprised fans at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium by inviting singer-songwriter Ashley Monroe as a guest during her performance. The duo delivered a heartfelt rendition of “Hard Candy Christmas,” a ballad originally written by Carol Hall and popularized by Dolly Parton in the 1980s. Rimes had teased Monroe’s appearance on Instagram, sharing a glimpse of her curly hair beforehand. Monroe later shared a clip of the performance, calling it a “dream come true” and expressing gratitude for Rimes’ influence on her career. Rimes responded warmly, calling Monroe “love you, sis” and thanking her for brightening her life. The collaboration highlighted their mutual respect and celebrated a classic country song.