It's a welcome return for country music and Reba McEntire fans. The country legend appeared on "CBS This Morning" Thursday to share that she would be returning as the host of this year's ACM Awards.
McEntire has previously hosted the award show 14 times, most recently with her good pal and fellow Oklahoman Blake Shelton in 2012. She has also shared hosting duties with Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, and co-hosted one year with George Strait and Alabama's Randy Owen. She has also handled the task on her own 11 times.
McEntire has taken home 16 ACM trophies, including seven awards for Top Female Vocalist, one award for Entertainer of the Year in 1994 and the Home Depot Humanitarian Award in 2002.
After announcing the Duo of the Year category, McEntire revealed that her dream duet partner is Bette Midler.
Related: Reba McEntire, Chris Stapleton among 2018 Academy of Country Music Awards nominees
Soon after that, Reba learned that she had just earned her 16th Top Female Vocalist nomination. Flashing her signature smile, she thanked everyone who voted for her “and my mama.” She also spoke about her very first ACM nomination.
“It was in 1981 and we were out in L.A. and I got to go to Disneyland for the first time while we were out in L.A.,” she said. “I was very excited. I thought, ‘Oh my gosh! This is finally it!’ I didn’t win.” She went on to take home that trophy for the first time three years later, in 1984.
And speaking of firsts, Reba also talked about her new role is the first female colonel for KFC. "We've had a blast with it," she said of filming the commercials. "You can't take it serious."
Related: Reba McEntire tapped as KFC’s new Colonel Sanders
Reba has proved many times that she can carry the ACM hosting duties all on her own. She's got the authority and the sense of humor to deliver some real zingers to her fellow country stars, too. Audiences can expect some big laughs with Reba at the helm.
The 53rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will take place April 15 in Las Vegas and air on CBS at 8 p.m. ET. The show returns to its longtime home, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, after two years in other venues, including its 2016 50th anniversary celebration, which took place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
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