Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood have been tapped to return as hosts of the CMA Awards — the reigning Male and Female Vocalists of the Year did the honors for the first time last year. This year’s event — the 43rd annual CMA Awards — will take place on November 11. The ceremony will air live on ABC (8:00-11:00pm ET), and the pair is already promising to make it an interesting evening.

In a press release issued by the Country Music Association, Brad notes, “We’ll pull out all the stops, like a miniature poodle balancing act, tightrope walking and a new world record for the number of costume changes by my co-host”…while Carrie counters, “I regret to inform Brad that I do not have a poodle, and I would appreciate it if he asks me permission before he tries on all my dresses this year.” When we questioned this, Brad told us, “You’ve got to see these poodles!” (AUDIO INFO BELOW)

On a more serious note, Carrie and Brad admit that their role as hosts carries a hefty responsibility. “It was definitely in both of our minds,” Carrie says. “Everybody’s there for a common goal — to celebrate a wonderful year in music and celebrate each other. You don’t want to get up there and be the one reason that [people think], ‘That was just an okay show.’” Brad agrees, telling us, “This is a night when country should have class.” (AUDIO INFO BELOW)

Brad and Carrie are no strangers to the CMA Awards — he’s won 11 and she’s earned 5, including those that they won last year. Brad’s honors include two Male Vocalist trophies, an Album of the Year award for Time Well Wasted, three Music Video awards and two Musical Event wins. Carrie’s tally includes three Female Vocalist awards, the Horizon Award and a Single of the Year trophy (for “Before He Cheats”).

  Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood recall getting past their initial jitters when they hosted the CMA Awards for the first time last year. (:42)
Brad: “I felt that way right after the monologue.”
Carrie: “Yeah.”
Brad: “I felt like when that went so well…I remember that Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman were waiting backstage as we did our monologue, because we were introducing them at the end of it. And he said, ‘They’re doing really good!’ Which was really cool to hear…because I think he was shocked. I think he saw us walk out and thought, ‘Oh, okay. A couple of country music singers are going to go out and try to do a monologue. This is going to end badly. And he’s probably right—it should have. But when it didn’t and we actually landed some jokes and things went really well and everything worked, I think it set the tone. And we’ll be a lot more confident this time, which is probably good.”
Carrie: “Probably (laughing).”
Brad: “Probably.”
Carrie: “I think it’s very good.”

   Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley admit they took their responsibilities as hosts of the CMA Awards seriously last year…and they can’t help but do the same as they look ahead to this year’s show. (:39)
Carrie: “I think it was definitely in both of our minds. You know, you don’t want to take a classy organization where there’s people in the audience…everybody looks nice…everybody’s there for a common goal—to celebrate a wonderful year in music and celebrate each other. And people are winning things! You don’t want to get up there and be the one reason that [people think], ‘Oh, that was just an okay show.’ Or ‘That was a great show, but what’s up with the hosts?’”
Brad: “And sometimes the host does take away from things.”
Carrie: “Everybody wants to come to the CMAs!”
Brad: “Yeah. This is the night of the year when country should have class. All other nights it’s…”
Carrie: “It’s a free-for-all.”
Brad: “Yeah—who knows!”
Carrie: “It’s crazy.” (Brad laughs)

  Brad Paisley jokes about the poodle act he claims to want to bring to this year’s CMA Awards. (:08)
“You’ve got to see these poodles — I’m telling you. They’re really good. They do a great Willie Nelson. And Julio Iglesias! It’s a poddle and chihuahua thing.” (Note: Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesia won a CMA Award in 1984 as Vocal Duo of the Year.) 

  Brad Paisley jokes (we think) that he will be trying on some of Carrie Underwood’s dresses during this year’s CMA Awards, per her request. (:05)
“She wants me to try on her dresses this year and stuff, so…we’ll do that. That’ll be great.”