Luke Bryan To Host THE 55th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS

The Country Music Association and ABC have announced Country Music superstar and "American Idol" judge Luke Bryan will host "The 55th Annual CMA Awards." Country Music's Biggest Night broadcasts LIVE from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday, November 10 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on ABC.

"The CMA Awards is one of the biggest nights of the year for Country Music," says Bryan. "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."

Bryan, a two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year, will make his CMA Awards hosting debut on this year's stage.

"We are so thrilled to have Luke join us as this year's CMA Awards host," says Sarah Trahern, CMA chief executive officer. "His fun and playful energy is something television viewers have welcomed into their homes week after week as a judge on 'American Idol,' and I know he has something exciting up his sleeve for the CMA Awards. We cannot wait to bring music fans a magical night of performances and truly some of the most special moments our show has ever delivered in just a few weeks."

"We are so grateful Luke will host the biggest event in Country Music. That's my kind of night and it will be yours too," said Rob Mills, executive vice president, Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment, Walt Disney Television. "I am excited for Luke to bring the same humor, energy and emotion as host of the CMA Awards that he has for the last five years on 'American Idol.'"

Since his debut, Bryan has garnered 27 No. 1 hits and has more RIAA certified digital singles than any other Country artist with 68.5 million, has 15.6 billion streams worldwide, and has sold nearly 13 million albums. His headline concert tours have played sold-out shows for 12 million fans inclusive of 36 stadium concerts, Farm Tours, Spring Break shows, and seven sold-out "Crash My Playa" destination concert events.

He has won over 50 major music awards including five wins as Entertainer of the Year. His third and most recent Entertainer win was awarded by the Academy of Country Music this past April. Additional awards include six recognitions as a CMT Artist of the Year, NSAI Artist/Songwriter of the Year, the first-ever recipient of the ACM Album of the Decade Award for "Crash My Party," seven CMT Music Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, and four American Music Awards-as well as being named Billboard's Top Country Artist of the 2010s, the Most Heard Artist of the Decade by Country Aircheck, and the Artist Humanitarian Recipient by the Country Radio Broadcasters this past February.

Bryan is set to return as a celebrity judge for a fifth season, alongside Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, on ABC's "American Idol" in 2022. Airing now, fans can see Bryan's original five-part docuseries, "Luke Bryan: My Dirt Road Diary," on IMDb TV, Amazon's premium free streaming service. Visit LukeBryan.com or follow Luke on Twitter @LukeBryanOnline, Instagram and Facebook.

Performers and presenters for "The 55th Annual CMA Awards" will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Watch a new promo for the event here:

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