Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan are reportedly out as ACM Awards co-hosts, according to an off-the-cuff statement from Bentley during his CRS keynote speech on Monday (Feb. 5). The pair has hosted the awards ceremony for the past two consecutive years.

"Yeah, we got fired this year. That's over," the singer jokingly retorted in response to an interviewer's question regarding "Black," a single Bentley released around the same time that he and Bryan started hosting the awards ceremony. "Is that not public knowledge? I'd assumed it is."

Despite his joking comment about being fired, Bentley had nothing but warm sentiments for the ceremony and his co-host: "It's hard not to have fun with Luke," he said, "and the ACMs are great. The ACMs have been so good to me."

Aside from the antics Bentley and Bryan have shared onstage in the past, the pair has a more serious connection: They both juggle family life with the rigorous schedule of recording and touring.

"I love Luke to death," Bentley explained. "Anyone in this business that's married and has kids, you kinda find each other. You're always looking for life hacks, and ways to optimize the whole deal."

A representative from the Academy of Country Music confirmed the news following Bentley's statement, and also indicated that this year's ACM Awards host or hosts will be announced within the next couple of weeks.

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