The pair will join John Mellencamp and Keith Urban and Fall Out Boy and Thomas Rhett among the crossover performers onstage.

"We've always talked about finding a reason to do something together," Stapleton tells Rolling Stone Country.

"He (Timberlake) is obviously one of the greatest musical talents in the world, maybe ever, that we have. I called him up with no thought of him agreeing to it, and he was ready to start planning it right then. I said, 'Well, I think maybe we should wait, and if we get nominated they'll let me have (a slot)'. He was so gracious and kind to want to do it and was so excited about it, and I'm excited about it. It'll be something I've never done before for sure."

"Some people might want to burn me at the stake for it, or burn him at the stake for it," Stapleton adds, "but we're going to have a good time."

Stapleton is up for Male Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for Traveller.