Dierks Bentley Officially Announced as Luke Bryan’s 2016 ACM Awards Co-Host
It's official: Dierks Bentley will be co-hosting the 2016 ACM Awards with Luke Bryan.
Bentley confirmed the news on Tuesday morning (Dec. 15) by sharing an extended version of a video that was posted to Entertainment Tonight‘s YouTube channel on Monday (Dec. 14).
“I think everyone knows Luke is the guy you call when you want to have a good time,” Bentley says in a press release. “If we have half as much fun hosting together as we do backstage, it's going to be a great night."
In the shortened clip, Bentley's pup Jake is seen, and a faceless bartender, who sounds suspiciously like the singer, offers Bryan a beer and some advice about finding a new co-host that alludes to Bentley's 2012 hit "Tip It on Back." The full version of the video, in which Bryan is pondering who should replace his former co-host, Blake Shelton -- “Somebody that loves country music," he says. "Somebody that I’m a little better lookin’ than … kinda like last year. Wants to dance, sing, party in Vegas ..." -- features even more Bentley cameos: In addition to the country star himself appearing near the end to accept Bryan's job offer, he shows up as the pilot from his "Drunk on a Plane" music video and onstage with his '90s country cover band, the Hot Country Knights.
“When we found ourselves searching for a new co-host, I didn’t have to look much further than my own circle of friends, so Dierks was a natural choice,” Bryan adds. “We have a lot of fun together, and I know the fans will be in for something special.”
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.
The 2016 ACM Awards are set to air live from Las Vegas, Nev., on April 3 beginning at 8PM ET on CBS.
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