Rare Country
Who Is Reba’s Dream Duet Partner? Well She Announced It During The ACM Nominations
By Tammy Ragusa
March 1, 2018
It’s a welcome return for country music and Reba McEntire fans. Early in the morning of March 1, Reba appeared on “CBS This Morning” to share the big news that she would be returning as the host of this year’s ACM Awards.
Reba has previously hosted the award show a whopping 14 times, most recently with her good pal and fellow Oklahoman Blake Shelton in 2012. But 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.
And she hasn’t just stood in the spotlight as the show’s host. She’s taken home 16 ACM trophies, including Top Female Vocalist seven times, Entertainer of the Year and Humanitarian of the Year.
After announcing the Duo of the Year category, Reba revealed that her dream duet partner is Bette Midler. Oh, Bette … are you listening?
Soon after that, Reba learned live on the air 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 said she remembered 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 did go on to take home that trophy for the first time three years later though, 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.”
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. We 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 Television Network 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 near Dallas.
