Brian Kelley Talks Florida Georgia Line Split, Nashville's FGL House Closing: 'We Both Wanted This To Go On'

Brian Kelley talks about his relationship with former Florida Georgia Line bandmate Tyler Hubbard, the recent closing of Nashville bar FGL House, and the creative efforts that went into Kelley's new solo album. Tennessee Truewhich was released in May.

Kelley has released two solo albums, while his former FGL bandmate Hubbard released his second solo album, Strongin April.

“All I can say is that I think we're both, I think, finding our groove in the solo world. And you never know what time can do,” Kelley told Billboard News in a recent interview.

While both have gone on to solo careers, Kelley says he defends Hubbard's success.

“He always has my best wishes,” Kelley said. “I want him to crush it. I expect nothing less from him to do that, you know. It's just that we're both here, giving it hell, trying to chase those dreams and we'll see where they bring us back.” He added: “He congratulated me and we talked about some things.”

Kelley also noted the recent closing of downtown bar/restaurant FGL House, which opened in 2017 at 120 3rd Ave. S. in Nashville. The location is now home to Lainey Wilson's Bell Bottoms Up Bar.

“We were both obviously saddened by the closing of FGL House,” Kelley said. “We both wanted this to go on as a real special part of our legacy, so we've been texting each other about it.”

Kelley wrote eight of the dozen songs Tennessee True and says he not only wrote with songwriters he's worked with in the past, but sought out new writers to bring into the writing rooms as well.

Kelley says he didn't think about “what credentials they have [or] how many hits do they have? I wasn't concerned about that. I was looking for truth and authenticity and ideas, every session.”

Although he released his previous solo album, Sunshine State of Mind, in 2021, he says Tennessee True it feels like his true debut solo album.

“So Sunshine State of MindI love this record,” Kelley said. “I'm forever grateful that I put it out there. There are so many changes in my life, even in my team and in my world, from Sunshine State of Mind in this, it's like I can do it. Both records for me are extremely authentic to who I am and my voice, and also very different.”

He added that he feels the songs Tennessee True, like “Barefoot or Boots,” really encapsulate his lifestyle right now. He added, “Just sonically, I wanted to take a dive, I guess you could say, and really just do what I love. I love the sounds of this record.”