Luke Bryan, two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year, will host CMA Awards in November

Luke Bryan is taking on an important role for "Country Music's Biggest Night."

The country star is the new host of the 2021 CMA Awards, the Country Music Association announced Monday.

Bryan, a two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year winner, has never hosted the show, but has experience as co-host of the Academy of Country Music Awards from 2013 to 2017. Since 2018, he's served as judge on the reboot of "American Idol," which like the CMAs, airs on ABC.

In Monday's press release, Bryan said the CMA hosting gig was "definitely something I put a lot of thought into before answering.

"The pressure that comes along with that can be overwhelming, but knowing I get to help honor and celebrate so many of my friends, I knew it was something I couldn’t turn down," he said.

It's been 18 years since the CMAs have had just one host – Vince Gill presided over the show from 1994 to 2003.

Following Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley's record-breaking 11-year run as co-hosts (which ended in 2018), the CMAs tapped Underwood, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton to host the 2019 ceremony. Reba returned alongside new co-host Darius Rucker last year.

Bryan recalled growing up seeing Gill, McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Mandrell and others host the ceremony on TV, as well as those he's watched from his nominee seat in recent years.

"All of these artists are heroes and friends, and I am honored to have my name included in this group," Bryan said.

The 55th annual CMA Awards will air live on ABC at 8 p.m. EST Nov. 10.

After a socially distanced ceremony in 2020, the show is returning to its longtime home at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. Performers and presenters will be announced at a later date.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Luke Bryan will host CMA Awards for first time in November