Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning Would Rather Host the 2023 CMA Awards than Ride into the Sunset (Exclusive)

The biggest night in the country is coming, and Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning can’t wait!

In a new promo video for the 57th Annual CMA Awards premiering exclusively on PEOPLE, the country music star, 47, and the former NFL quarterback, 47, are thrilled to be taking over their hosting duties for a second time at the 2023 awards, which airs live on ABC on November 8.

The two are so excited in the hilarious clip that they’d rather be back on stage at the CMAs in Nashville than ride off into the sunset on horses side by side.

“You know, Peyton, hosting the CMA Awards with you is really special,” the singer-songwriter tells the former quarterback in the video, as they ride through a sunset-lit pasture and Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” plays.

Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning at the 2022 CMA Awards.

Jason Kempin/Getty

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However, after Manning receives the phone call, they quickly reroute their route. “Wait a minute. Do you want us to host the CMA Awards again?” he says. “I’ve got to be honest, we’re in the middle of riding off into the sunset.”

“They want us to host again?” asks the CMA winner. “If I turn my back on the CMA Awards, what kind of hosting icon would I be?”

“Hosting icons, plural. They called me on the phone,” jokes Manning.

Together they decide to give it another go – which they looked ready for anyway, given the formal suit and tie attire they wear while riding. The video then ends with a last laugh and more witty banter between the two.

Bryan and Manning co-hosted the CMA Awards for the first time last year. In May, they were announced as repeat hosts.

Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan at the 2022 CMA Awards.

ABC via Getty

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With their return, the two join the history of comeback households. Just a few years before them, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood hosted the CMAs for 11 consecutive years from 2008 to 2018. In the past, Mac Davis and Barbara Mandrell hosted three times in the 80s from 1980 to 1982. Brooks & Dunn also co-hosted from 2004 to 2006.

Lainey Wilson leads this year’s nominees with nine nominations. She also makes history as the only artist to ever lead nominations in the first two times on the ballot.

Jelly Roll, who is in the running for the first time and earned five nominations, follows Wilson with the second most nods this year. Behind them are Luke Combs and HARDY, each in four categories. Stars with three nominations include Ashley McBryde, Chris Stapleton, Jordan Davis and Morgan Wallen.

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Those competing for the prestigious Entertainer of the Year award include Chris Stapleton, Combs, Underwood, Wallen and Wilson.

Performers and hosts for the 2023 CMA Awards will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 2023 CMA Awards will air live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on November 8 at 8:00 PM ET on ABC and exclusively on Hulu the following day.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education