NCIS: Los Angeles’ LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell have taken their partnership on the road. The actors spent a busy couple days together in Las Vegas, hosting a military tribute concert and attending the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Monday night O’Donnell and LL took the stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to host a music special saluting America’s troops.
“It’s going to be a real special night with some great artists,” LL previewed. “Some superstars get together with some of the troops and actually do duets. It’s going to be a whole night celebrating our men and women in the service who protect us and keep us safe. We are honored to be a part of that.”
CBS taped the concert and will be airing “ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops” May 20 – a week after “NCIS: Los Angeles” debuts its season five finale.
The “ACM Presents” concert will feature performances by country stars Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts and Lady Antebellum. Another CBS actor, “Criminal Minds” star Joe Mantegna, will be a presenter. Proceeds from the ticket sales will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music.
Earlier Monday LL tweeted his appreciation for being involved with the special, mentioning his family military ties.
Co Hosting the #ACMs salute to the troops today w/@chrisodonnell.My Grandfather served in the Army. My Father served in the Navy. #Honored
— LL COOL J (@llcoolj) April 7, 2014“We’re excited about it,” LL says. “I hope everybody tunes in. I think we owe it to [America’s soldiers] to tune in and watch this and celebrate them.”
A day earlier, the "NCIS: Los Angeles" duo looked dapper as they walked the red carpet at the “49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards." LL sported a Giorgio Armani blue velvet jacket while O'Donnell wore a grey pin-striped suit. LL grabbed O’Donnell’s arm as they joked and laughed together.
The bromance continued as they expressed their excitement to attend the ceremony. It seems O’Donnell is getting a music awards education from his co-star.
O’Donnell shared, “The first time I ever went to a music awards show was the Grammys with LL. It was the best awards show I’d ever been to. ” O’Donnell had also never attended the ACM awards, so his music star pal showed him the ropes again.
“The last few times I’ve been to the ACM’s, it’s been great,” said LL. “They keep inviting me back and I love to come. It’s just fun.”
Though it may be hard to imagine rapper and hip hop artist LL Cool J listening to country music, he said he loves watching the country performances. “Chris is more of a country fan than me in terms of the music,” he admitted. “But I really do love it live. I have a good time watching these shows live.”
O'Donnell was excited to check out the awards in person. “I’ve seen them on TV,” he said. “I love live country music. This is going to be a great party… These are so much more fun than the film and TV awards we go to. So I’m excited for a fun party.”
The “NCIS: Los Angeles” duo boasted the honor of presenting the biggest award of the night, Entertainer of the Year, to George Strait.
