ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Country singer Brett Eldredge is the first of seven judges to be announced for ABC's live broadcast of the 2016 Miss America competition.

The reigning Country Music Association new artist of the year said the upcoming gig was "a dream come true."

Additional hosts and judges for the competition will be announced in the coming weeks. Fifty-two women representing their home states and territories will be competing in the Sept. 13 pageant, which will be held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The "Don't Ya" singer will be releasing his second album, "Illinois," named after his home state, on Sept. 11.

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