Luke Bryan is taking center stage at country’s biggest night.
The country singer and “American Idol” judge will host the CMA Awards live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville next month, the Country Music Association and ABC announced Monday.
“The CMA Awards is one of the biggest nights of the year for country music,” Bryan, 45, 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.”
Bryan, a two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year, follows Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker, who hosted last year’s show.
“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,” Byran said.
“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.
