Reba McEntire won't return as host of ACM Awards

This April 3, 2011 file photo shows hosts Reba McEntire, left, and Blake Shelton onstage at the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. McEntire is ending her run as host of the Academy of Country Music Awards. She’s stepping aside after a record 14 appearances, the last two with co-host Blake Shelton, who will return on the 2013 edition of the awards show. (AP Photo)

Oklahoma country music superstar Reba McEntire is ending her run as host of the Academy of Country Music Awards to focus on her new sitcom “Malibu Country.”

According to the Associated Press, the flame-haired songstress is stepping aside after a record 14 appearances. Her last two were with co-host and fellow Oklahoma native Blake Shelton, who will return on the 2013 edition of the awards show.

McEntire first hosted the show in 1986. She has hosted the ACM Awards every year since 1999, helping the show to grow its ratings.

Academy CEO Bob Romeo told the AP “we fully understand and support” McEntire’s decision to focus on her new television show “Malibu Country.”

McEntire’s new sitcom, which will co-star Lily Tomlin and Sara Rue, is debuting Nov. 2 on ABC.

The ACM hasn’t announced whether Shelton will have a co-host for next spring’s show in Las Vegas. But Romeo tells the AP that Shelton, a celebrity coach on the hit NBC show “The Voice,” has “got something big up his sleeve” that will be revealed soon.

-BAM