‘American Idol’ Judge Luke Bryan to Host 2021 CMA Awards
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Reading Time: 2 minutes
American Idol judge Luke Bryan will be donning his hosting hat next month for the 55th Annual CMA Awards. The awards are given out by the Country Music Association each year, and Bryan has been chosen as this year’s emcee.
Luke Bryan to Host the 2021 CMA Awards
“I’m ready for country music’s biggest night. Are you?” Bryan says in the announcement clip, after adjusting his suit. American Idol shared the video on Twitter, calling Bryan’s hosting gig “exciting news.”
The CMA Awards will air live on ABC from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, November 10, at 8 p.m. ET. Notably, Rolling Stone reports that this will be the first time in 18 years that the show will only have one host. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood famously co-hosted the annual event from 2008 to 2018.
“Being asked to host the CMA Awards was definitely something I put a lot of thought into before answering,” Bryan said in a statement. “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.”
Sarah Trahern, CMA chief executive officer, cited Bryan’s “fun and playful energy” as a reason he’ll make a great host. Bryan has also won CMA Entertainer of the Year twice in his career, and been nominated for several other CMAs.
We’ve got exciting news! The Host of the 55th Annual #CMAawards is our very own and beloved #AmericanIdol Judge, @LukeBryan! 🌟Tune in LIVE on Nov. 10 on @ABCNetwork for Country Music's Biggest Night. 🎶 pic.twitter.com/zm1lD31J1n
— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) October 18, 2021
SEE ALSO: LUKE BRYAN ASKS ‘WHERE THE COUNTRY GIRLS AT’ IN NEW VIDEO WITH TRACE ADKINS, PITBULL
Who’s Nominated at This Year’s CMAs?
Nominations for this year’s CMA Awards were announced in September. American Idol winner Carrie Underwood is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, while former Idol finalist Gabby Barrett is up for several awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year.
The winners will be voted on by eligible CMA members and announced during the November 10 ceremony. Presenters and performers for this year’s show will be announced in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, production recently began for Season 20 of American Idol, with Luke Bryan once again returning to the judging panel along with Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. The new season will premiere next year.
