Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton are great friends, who really like to give each other a hard time…all in the name of fun. When it was announced Luke had signed on to be a judge on the newly revamped American Idol on ABC, Blake, who stars on another talent competition show, The Voice, had some things to say about his buddy.

“I think people are going to realize just how dumb he really is when they see him on national television, in an environment where there’s no script,” Blake tells Entertainment Tonight. “But you’re also gonna see what a great, great, dude that guy is. “I love Luke like a brother, I really do, but he’s just dumb.”

Luke says since Blake came at him first, it is now game on! “It started with Blake saying to the world that I was just dumb,” says Luke. “So, Blake lobbed the first grenade at me, so I’m just going to have to get my artillery together.”

While he jokes about Blake, he also has a great deal of respect for his pal and considers him one of his closest friends in the business. “When the Idol deal went down, Blake sent me a text going, ‘Man, so fired up for ya. Nobody deserves a big ole TV opportunity more than you,’” says Luke. “But it’s all fun and healthy, and you know, Blake and I approach this business very similarly. We love to sing. We love to find great songs, and we love to smile and laugh and care our way through this business.”

Luke is currently sitting inside the Top 10 with his latest song, “Light It Up,” which is the first release from his upcoming album, What Makes You Country.

The Georgia native is nominated for the CMA Entertainer of the Year, which he has previously earned twice in 2014 and 2015. The 51st Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 8th at 8pm ET on ABC.

Luke has a handful of tour dates left on the books. He’ll take his  Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day Tour to Concord, California on  November 2nd, followed by dates in Wheatland, California November 3rd and Mountain View, California on November 4th.