Is Dierks Bentley Replacing Blake Shelton as Luke Bryan’s ACM Awards Co-Host?
A promotional video for the 2016 ACM Awards reveals big news: Blake Shelton will not be co-hosting the 51st annual awards ceremony with Luke Bryan -- but perhaps Dierks Bentley will.
In the video above, posted to Entertainment Tonight's YouTube channel on Monday (Dec. 14), Bryan laments his need for a new co-host: "Somebody that loves country music. Somebody that I'm a little better lookin' than ... kinda like last year. Wants to dance, sing, party in Vegas ..."
Fortunately, a mysterious, faceless bartender -- who sounds an awful lot like Bentley -- is there to offer Bryan a beer and some advice: "Tip that on back; I'm sure you'll find your answer." (In case that hint isn't clear enough: Bentley scored a hit in 2012 with his song "Tip It on Back.")
Oh, and did we mention that the dog standing near the bar door at the beginning of the video looks a lot like Bentley's pup Jake?
If our hunch is correct, the 2016 ACM Awards will be Bentley's first big TV gig. Shelton, meanwhile, will be stepping away after five years as ACMs co-host. He co-hosted with Reba McEntire in 2011 and 2012 and Bryan in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
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