Curious collaborations and more than a few surprises can be expected tonight during the CMT Music Awards in Nashville. And one of those get-togethers will be a performance that’s been concocted between Lady Antebellum and pop band Hot Chelle Rae.

The latter group is, of course, not country, but the four Hot Chelle Rae bandmates are based in Nashville, and they are friends with the three members of Lady A.

Lady Antebellum and Hot Chelle Rae rehearse for the 2012 CMT Music Awards in Nashville (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)

There’s no word yet on what the performance will entail–and the band and CMT are keeping it under wraps, so as not to ruin the surprise.

“[Lady A] had this little idea they came up with that involves us,” the members of Hot Chelle Rae explained in a backstage interview during rehearsals for the show. “We can’t give away the big reveal, but it’s gonna be exciting, and I think everyone’s going to freak out.”

And the collaboration between the two bands isn’t really that much of a stretch.

“We just finished touring with Taylor Swift earlier this year,” says Hot Chelle Rae. “Genre lines are blurring year by year…we’ll never be surprised to work with anybody.”

Anyone on their wish list to work with? Carrie Underwood, they answer. “We kind of have a thing…she’s not aware of it yet, but we definitely could make something special.”

The CMT Music Awards will be broadcast live tonight (Wednesday, June 6) at 8pm ET/PT on CMT and CMT.com.