Reba McEntire is officially returning to the CMA Awards as host, and this time she's joined by Hootie & the Blowfish's Darius Rucker! As Entertainment Tonight shares, the duo made the exciting announcement during Monday's episode of Good Morning America, where they talked about their upcoming gig!
McEntire "really looking forward to" co-hosting with Rucker
McEntire expressed her enthusiasm about returning to the CMA stage as host once again after hosting the ceremony last year with Carrie Underwood and Dolly Parton. "Darius and I are very thrilled to be able to announce this morning that we will be hosting the CMA Awards show this year," she shared. "It's my fifth time. I've got to host it by myself, co-host it, and I'm really looking forward to getting to co-host with Darius."
As for Rucker, he said that he's been preparing by learning from veteran host McEntire herself, and is grateful to have her there to guide him through this new role! "I've already watched a lot of Reba video from back in the day," he shared. "I've got Reba to lean on, so I'm going to do my best and I know if I need anything she's gonna be there for me."
McEntire and Rucker share what fans can expect from show
McEntire also talked about what the awards show is going to look like this year, sharing that the coronavirus pandemic isn't going to stop them from playing to a crowd! "We're going to be at the Music City Center this year instead of at the arena," she revealed. We will have an audience. They're still working on that, but there will be a live audience -- not ticketed -- but there will be people that we will get to sing to, talk to."
"It'll be energetic, fun. Everybody's going to get dressed up just like we always have and get to present awards to folks who have had a wonderful year, despite COVID and everything else going on," she continued.
As Entertainment Tonight mentions, Rucker then told fans they can expect to see "some really special stuff" happening, and that above all else, the night is about one key thing. "The CMAs are always about the music. The music runs the show and makes it important," he said. "I'm looking forward to seeing the performances too."
Even without performers announced yet, this year's ceremony— which is set to air on Wednesday, November 11 at 8 PM ET— is shaping up to be an exciting one now that the hosts have been found! Watch Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker talk about hosting the 2020 CMA Awards together here!