Strait and Brooks in 2009 (Photo: Kevin Winter)History will be made! That's about all that can be said upon hearing the latest performers added to this year's Academy of Country Music Awards broadcast.
Are you ready for it--? Garth Brooks and George Strait will be taking the stage together!
The two megastars--who have never jointly performed--are making this appearance as a musical tribute to the late Dick Clark, who was the producer of the ACMs from 1979 all the way to his death in April 2012.
Additionally, the Academy has announced it will change the name of its Artist of the Decade award to "ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade." As Brooks and Strait are the two most recent recipients of this award, it's appropriate that they'll usher in the new title.
Strait agrees: "Dick helped make country music accessible to a larger fan base and his efforts will not be forgotten," he noted. "Garth and I were so grateful when we each received the ACM Artist of the Decade Award, so it's only fitting that we'll be honoring him with this tribute performance at the ACMs."
"Although there is no award the entertainment industry has that can match the magnitude of the star Dick Clark was, and still is, it is an honor to get to be a part of the Academy's tribute to him," added Brooks. "There may be others who have contributed as much to the music industry, but there is definitely no one that has contributed more than Dick Clark. He was music's best friend, and a dear friend to me."
The 48th annual ACM Awards will air on CBS live from Las Vegas April 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET .