Dolly Parton Is Looking Forward To Kelly Clarkson's Tribute Performance At ACM Awards

Dolly Parton is all set for her hosting duties at the 57th Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards in Las Vegas on March 7, and she's looking forward to Kelly Clarkson's musical tribute to her at the show.

"I am real excited," she told Entertainment Tonight in an interview that was published Wednesday. "It is always fun to do the shows. It has been a long time since I have done the ACMs, so I am looking forward to hosting that with my wonderful co-hosts."

"We are looking forward to being in Vegas..." she continued. "It's a big night and a big, exciting deal for me and for the fans."

The 76-year-old "Jolene" singer also told the outlet that Clarkson is the perfect choice for the tribute performance. "It makes me feel great that she is going to be doing it, because Kelly is one of the greatest singers in the world," she added. "... With her, you know it’s going to be real good. I do love her to death. I love her personality. I just love the way she is. I have known her for a long time... so that is going to be special to me, of course."

It will be a busy night for Parton because aside from hosting the show, she will also be performing a new track, "Big Dreams and Faded Jeans," with 28-year-old singer Kelsea Ballerini.

"We had a chance to rehearse several days before the show and we will actually be rehearsing the day of," she shared. "She is so precious, so sweet, and so beautiful. We just had a fun day of hanging out with the band and rehearsing our song. It was just fun. She is such a great gal."

"Big Dreams and Faded Jeans" is part of Parton's latest album, "Run, Rose, Run," which comes out Friday. "Run, Rose, Run" is a companion album to the upcoming novel of the same title, which she co-wrote with James Patterson and is set for release on March 7.

Clarkson earlier expressed her excitement for the tribute. "I'm going to be performing at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Monday, March 7 and I am super stoked because the one and only Dolly Parton – I have a special tribute plan just for her," she said in an episode of "The Kelly Clarkson Show."

This year's ACM Awards will be livestreamed on Amazon Prime Video. It will be co-hosted by Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett.