Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan are back for a third turn as co-hosts of tonight's ACM Awards, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Instead of airing from its traditional locale in Las Vegas, this year's big anniversary show broadcasts live from the 60,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the hosts want viewers to know it's taken a lot of planning to get to this point.
"Some of the people in charge showed me and [co-host] Blake [Shelton] plans of it the first year we hosted, so this hasn't been just a snap your fingers and make this thing happen. They've worked hard," Luke Bryan said.
The talent lineup will be just as impressive as the massive production elements producers have in store for Sunday night's show.
"It's gonna be the biggest stars in country music, and when I say biggest stars, I mean from past, present, future," said Shelton. "It's all gonna come together."
So, why are the ACM Awards organizers allowing Bryan and Shelton to come back and emcee the entire evening?
"We're the only two in country music that can read. I'm telling you!" joked Shelton. "Have you met some of these artists? God almighty. Idiots."
The two co-hosts are also set to perform on the ACM Awards along with Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Reba, George Strait, Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town. Rascal Flatts will sing a duet with Christina Aguilera, and Dan + Shay are teaming up with Nick Jonas. New artist nominees Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell and Sam Hunt are also performing.
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Entertainer of the Year
Female Vocalist of the Year
New Artist of the Year
Album of the Year
Song of the Year (Award to Songwriter)
Single Record of the Year
Vocal Group of the Year
Vocal Duo of the Year
Vocal Event of the Year
Video of the Year