Succeeding 2020 hosts Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker, the two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year winner becomes the first solo host of the awards show in 18 years.
- Oct 19, 2021
AceShowbiz - Luke Bryan will become the first solo host of the CMA Awards for 18 years when he fronts the 2021 prizegiving on November 10.
The two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year winner will succeed Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker, who hosted the ceremony in 2020. He previously fronted the ACM Awards in Las Vegas with Blake Shelton from 2013 to 2015, and Dierks Bentley in 2016 and 2017.
The last time the CMA Awards had a solo host was in 2003, when Vince Gill took charge of the show. Since then, the ceremony has been hosted by Brooks & Dunn and Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, who fronted the ceremony for 11 straight years. Underwood, McEntire and Dolly Parton teamed up to host the 2019 event.
About the hosting gig, Bryan said in a statement, "Being asked to host the CMA Awards was definitely something I put a lot of thought into before answering. The pressure that comes along with that can be overwhelming, but knowing I get to help honor and celebrate so many of my friends, I knew it was something I couldn't turn down."
"I mean, growing up in Georgia, I remember watching Vince Gill, Reba, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Mandrell, to name a few. They were so good. And then becoming a part of this amazing country music family and sitting on the front row while Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Darius Rucker took the reins, all of these artists are heroes and friends, and I am honored to have my name included in this group."
"I'm looking forward to making it fun and memorable and using this platform to continue to make country music shine," the 45-year-old crooner concluded.
The 2021 CMA Awards will take place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, and Eric Church and Chris Stapleton lead all nominees with five mentions.
