George Strait, Garth Brooks’ ACM Awards Collaboration Will Pay Tribute to Dick Clark

Legends will collide in an historic performance at the 48th annual Academy of Country Music Awards. George Strait and Garth Brooks will duet together for the first time ever, in a musical tribute to Dick Clark on the April 7 live broadcast. The late media mogul was the longtime producer of the ACMs before he passed away last year. The Academy has also announced that it has changed the name of its Artist of the Decade honor to the ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award. George and Garth are the two most recent recipients of the honor.

"Dick helped make country music accessible to a larger fan base and his efforts will not be forgotten," says George. "Garth and I were so grateful when we each received the ACM Artist of the Decade Award, so it's only fitting that we'll be honoring him with this tribute performance at the ACMs."

"I commend the Academy on naming the ACM Artist of the Decade Award after Dick Clark. Although there is no award the entertainment industry has that can match the magnitude of the star Dick Clark was, and still is, it is an honor to get to be a part of the Academy's tribute to him," adds Garth. "There may be others who have contributed as much to the music industry, but there is definitely no one that has contributed more than Dick Clark. He was music's best friend, and a dear friend to me."

Other artists scheduled to perform on the ACM Awards include the show's co-hosts, Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, along with Miranda Lambert, Hunter Hayes, the Band Perry, Kelly Clarkson and more artists to be announced soon. Eric Church leads the pack of nominees this year with seven nods. Watch the 48th annual ACM Awards on Sunday, April 7 at 8:00 PM ET (delayed PT) on CBS.