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Dierks Bentley On Hosting The ACMs: 'We Want It To Be Loose And Fun'

By Brian Ives, Radio.com

Earlier this week, Dierks Bentley went on CBS This Morning to announce the nominees for some of the categories for the ACM Awards. (See the full list of nominees here). Bentley was there in his role as the show's newest co-host; he'll be co-hosting with Luke Bryan. It's a new role for Bentley, but he tells Radio.com that he's looking forward to it.

"There's one thing to be a singer or songwriter, but to be entertainers is a whole different category. That's why I love some of the legends of country music, they can entertain with or without a guitar, they're just funny people. So it's definitely a challenge; taking it on [isn't] something I could just step into. I gotta put a little time into it, but I'm going to have a great time."

Dierks Bentley on Co-Hosting the ACMs by Audacy Originals on YouTube

Related: Dierks Bentley Announces New Single & Tour

He notes that he's been friends with Luke Bryan for a long time, and feels that they'll have a great rapport.

"You know Luke, he just has this kind of 'pass,' I guess: he can just say whatever he wants to say, whenever he wants to say it, and for some reason it's always funny. I don't know why, but he's got that thing. Having him as a co-host is a huge help. He's done it before, so he's got some experience. We've got some stuff to work out, but at the same time we don't want it to be too fixed, we want it to be loose and fun and kind of represent the vibe of the ACMs in Las Vegas, which is a good time. So I think some of those screw ups can work in your favor as well."

"I've known Luke since before he's had a record deal with Capitol," he continues. "I've always been a big fan, we've toured together a lot in the past, he's opened for me and now recently I've been opening for him. And to watch him become one of the biggest superstars in all of music has been a lot of fun because I love the guy, so yeah, we're good friends. And it should be something we'll have a lot of fun doing together and hopefully we'll pull it off. Either way it's going to be a big party in Vegas. "

Of course, Bentley is also nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year, and will perform at the show.

"Hopefully they'll give me free rein to do whatever I wanted to do, as far as the performance goes. Being a host, I think I have some leverage there as well. I think we're going to do 'Somewhere on the Beach,' it's such a fun song and I think it'll hit the vibe of Vegas pretty well."

"Somewhere on a Beach" will be on Bentley's next album, Black, which will be released later this year. The ACM Awards will air on CBS Sunday April 3rd at 8pm.

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