It would seem that Blake Shelton will not return to co-host the 2016 ACM Awards Show with Luke Bryan based on this video released today.

Blake started his ACM Awards Show hosting with Reba as the two took charge of the show in 2011 & 2012.

When Reba stepped away from hosting duties on the show Blake was joined by Luke Bryan coining the name BLUKE as the two co-hosted in 2013, 3014 and this past year’s show in 2015.

In the video above that was posted by ET Luke tells somebody (presumably Blake) on the phone, “It was fun. Love you Buddy.” When he disconnects from the call he laments that he needs to find a new co-host for the ACM Awards show to the bartender that can be heard but not seen.

Luke says that he needs to find somebody that, “loves country music. Somebody that I’m a little better looking than, kinda like last year … wants to dance, sing, party in Vegas. There’s gotta be somebody out there.”

The voice of the bartender off camera sounded familiar to me. When he says, “Well tip that on back. I’m sure you’ll find your answer,” I had no doubt that it was Dierks Bentley because of his song “Tip It On Back.”

I’d be willing to bet Dierks will be the new co-host with Luke for the 2016 ACM Awards Show.

Watch the video above and see what you think.

Let me go on record as naming the new co-hosting team #LERKS, which I admit sounds a bit creepy but fun at the same time!

By: Buck Stevens