Brian Kelley, one half of the country music duo Florida Georgia Line, recently opened up about his decision to step away from the group in order to pursue solo projects. Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, his partner in FGL, met during their senior year at Belmont University in Nashville and quickly started writing songs together. After a 12-13 year journey as a duo, both Kelley and Hubbard decided to focus on their own solo careers, with Kelley emphasizing the importance of continuing to trailblaze and honor his voice and songwriting while also working on his solo dreams.
In 2022, Kelley and Hubbard made the decision to take a step back from FGL to pursue their individual passions. While the hiatus was initially Kelley’s idea, he did not intend to permanently walk away from the group. He wanted to continue to trailblaze and explore new possibilities for the future of FGL, while also giving himself an outlet for his solo work. Kelley clarified that his decision was not about leaving the group, but rather about finding new ways to express his creativity and share his music with the world.
Kelley explained that he had initiated conversations about having different outlets for creativity as early as 2016. He wanted to continue working with Hubbard while also exploring solo projects to share more of his songs with the world. Kelley emphasized that writing songs is his passion and what he lives and breathes to do. Despite the challenges and changes that came with stepping away from FGL, Kelley expressed his gratitude to the fans, God, and the people who have supported him on his journey.
Kelley also discussed his wife Brittney’s role in helping him cope with the disbandment of the group. He credited her support and partnership in navigating the changes in their lives, including working with a mental health coach to process their emotions and pivot towards new opportunities. Kelley and Brittney worked together to navigate the challenges with a healthy and adult approach, focusing on responding to the changes in a positive way. He expressed gratitude for her unwavering support and emphasized the importance of staying true to who they are and trusting in God and their fans.
Despite rumors and speculation about the reasons behind the group’s disbandment, Kelley clarified that he had thoughtfully considered his decision and wanted to give context to his choice. He wanted to set the record straight for the fans, his family, and himself, to ensure that the truth was known. Kelley emphasized the importance of following his gut and taking the time to address the situation in the right way, even if it took longer than expected. He expressed appreciation for the fans’ support and understanding throughout the transition.
Kelley also shared his thoughts on Hubbard’s solo career, noting that Hubbard had released his own solo record in January 2023, shortly before Kelley’s own solo album was released in May 2024. Despite any differences in timing or approach to their solo projects, Kelley wished Hubbard success and happiness in his career. He acknowledged their shared history and brotherly bond, emphasizing the importance of supporting each other as they both embarked on their solo journeys while also honoring their time together as part of Florida Georgia Line.
