8 Reasons We Can't Wait to Watch Brett Eldredge and Thomas Rhett Host the CMA Music Fest Special

Forget all the political debate for a night, pour a cold one and watch country's biggest stars – and cutest friends

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Photo: Craig Sjodin/ABC

Feeling a little punch-drunk this pugnacious political season? We’ve got a cure: pour yourself a cold one, turn on the TV and take a heavy dose of Brett Eldredge and Thomas Rhett on Wednesday’s CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock.

Whether you lean left, right or center, we’re pretty sure you’ll feel better about the country (or at least country music). But that’s not the only reason to tune in when the real-life pals take the helm for the special (airing 8/7 central on ABC), which also happens to feature some stand-out performances from Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Blake Shelton, among others.

Here are eight more reasons we love the hosts:

1. They embrace their goofy sides:
The two artists (along with TR’s wife, Lauren) have no problem sharing their silly on social media – and we all benefit.
“Wigs are the funniest thing, no matter who you are,” Eldredge told PEOPLE of dressing up as his mop-topped alter ego Xander. Meanwhile TR and his wife regularly get goofy for the camera.

2. They get into the spirit of a season.
When the two embarked on their 2015 Suits & Boots tour, they proved they were kindred spirits at Halloween, with Eldredge dressing as Buddy in Elf and TR and his wife dressing as Woody and Jessie from Toy Story, and with their fabulously awful outfits at Christmas.

3. They can sing a mean medley.
The pair’s encore during their co-headlining tour included a mash-up of “Hot Line Bling,” “Gold Digger” and “Whip (Nae Nae)”, complete with stanky leg. “We’d always get together at the end and that was the most special part of the show cause we could just be ourselves,” Eldredge says. “And he’d try to make me dance onstage – and I don’t really dance. I just run around! We’re there to entertain but also to have fun.”

4. Their cuteness goes way back.
Throw it back to their earliest days and you’ll discover these guys were already adorable.

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5. They’re real-life good buds who support each other.
Although the two artists often jockey for position at the top of the country charts, they say there’s no rivalry. “We started out together and we were doing guitar pulls and radio visits at the same time,” says TR of his friend. “And I think when we both started to hit our stride, we started rooting for each other. My wife loves him too, so that makes it extra good!” Adds Eldredge: “It’s fun to root on someone who is an awesome person and who gets you as a person.”

6. They’ve got moves.
TR’s “Make Me Wanna” video proved the singer can do more than just a cowboy shuffle and although he sometimes gives his buddy a hard time about his dancing skills (“His dancing ability depends on how many cocktails he’s had!”) this video of Brett busting a move in Italy proves that what he may lack in skill, he makes up for in enthusiasm.

7. They aren’t afraid of adventure.
Eldredge has twice taken on daring feats to celebrate his number one hits, swimming with sharks and skydiving. TR, meanwhile, tried out skydiving for his “Vacation” video.

8. They love their mommas.
Both boys know how to honor their mothers, social media style.

Filmed at Nissan Stadium in Nashville during the CMA Music Festival June 9-12, the special will air Wednesday from 8-11 p.m. EST on ABC.

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