Luke Bryan and his pal Dierks Bentley won’t be returning as hosts for this year’s ACM Awards; instead Reba McEntire will be taking back the reins for a record 15^th turn as host, a post she hasn’t held since 2012.

The new American Idol judge feels great about handing back the microphone, but he suddenly finds next month’s calendar a bit open, since he’s usually had a very strict regimen in the days leading up to and including the ACM Awards. So, he’s going to fill that time with some favorite activities.

“It’ll be a new experience for me,” says Luke. “I’ve kind of almost trained myself to handle the ACMs with a strict schedule and a lot of times I would go a couple of days where I wouldn’t get to see my wife or hang with any friends out there. So, to be going to the ACM’s and not hosting and to have more time on my hands, it’ll be interesting ‘cause I got so conditioned to being so busy out there. So, hey, I’m gonna enjoy some pool time. I’m gonna enjoy some gambling. I might go even see some sights while I’m in Las Vegas, and I might even get to smooch on my wife a little bit. It’s gonna be a great ACM season this year.”

Luke, who is zooming up the country charts with “Most People Are Good,” is nominated once again for Entertainer of the Year at next month’s ACM Awards.

The 53rd Annual ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas April 15th at 8pm ET on CBS.

Luke will play the Houston Rodeo on March 8th, and is set to continue his What Makes You Country Tour March 9th in Lafayette, Louisiana.