The Academy of Country Music scored a coup when they convinced Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks to co-host their upcoming awards show, set for May 11. Either of these legends would have been great as a host, but to get two of the biggest stars in country music history to co-host is extraordinary.
Both Brooks and Parton are past entertainer of the year winners at the ACM Awards. (Brooks has won the award a record six times.) Both are Kennedy Center Honorees. Both are in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Parton is also in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Parton hosted the ACM Awards solo in 2000 and cohosted with Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett last year. This will mark Brooks’ first time hosting a major awards show. The ACM Awards will stream live on Amazon’s Prime Video from Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Tex.
The ACM Awards have had several strong host pairs in the past, including Reba McEntire & Alan Jackson (1994), McEntire & Blake Shelton (2011-12) and Shelton & Luke Bryan (2013-15).
The rival CMA Awards have also had strong host pairs, including Glen Campbell & Charley Pride (1975), Mac Davis & Barbara Mandrell (1980-82), Anne Murray & Willie Nelson (1983), Murray & Kenny Rogers (1989), McEntire & Vince Gill (1992) and Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood, who did the honors 11 years running (2008-18).
Other award shows have also had impressive hosting teams. Here are our picks for the 10 mightiest hosting pairs in award show history.
