Florida Georgia Line

What happens when two best friends begin playing music with each other between classes at University? Usually, it is just a hobby that people do to keep busy. However, with Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, the two stars of Florida Georgia Line, it became much more than just a hobby.

Exploding out of nowhere in 2012 with their hit, “Cruise”, which has become the biggest country single of all time, these two artists changed the country music world forever.

Florida Georgia Line self-released an EP of originals called “Anything Like Me” in December 2010, which led to signing a publishing and management deal with Big Loud Mountain. Since then Florida Georgia Line has broken country chart records.

Florida Georgia Line produces music about working hard and playing hard, enjoying every moment life has to offer, relaxing with a nice drive or a few beverages, and just kickin’ it. The duo has released hit after hit, as they continue to grow in popularity each year.

FACES Magazine had the opportunity to catch up with Tyler Baddard of Florida Georgia Line to discuss how it all started, the history with his bandmate Brian, their proudest accomplishments and the challenges they have faced over the years.

Q: You attended Nashville’s Belmont University for your post-secondary education. What program did you study there? How was your experience at that University?

A: I studied business there. It was awesome and I had a great experience at university.

Q: You met your bandmate Brian Kelley at Nashville’s Belmont University in 2008 and began writing songs together between classes. What was it like for you two at the very beginning? What kinds of challenges did you face at the beginning? Were there times when you both wanted to give up?

A: Obviously there were challenges at the beginning, but we had fun with it. It was great because we both had the same taste in music. Some writing and playing music quickly became something that we only did together and it went on from there.

Q: At Belmont University, you and Brian met in a campus worship group. Were there any other groups that you were a part of while you attended Belmont University? No not really. I would go to different things on different nights. He played baseball, and I didn’t do a whole lot.

Q: You two started off performing as local clubs for different audiences. Do you remember the very first show you performed? What was that experience like for you guys?

A: Yeah, the first show was at a place called Hotel Indigo. We played in the lobby at that hotel right in Nashville. It was just the two of us with our acoustic guitars, and that’s kind of how we started. Our first full show was at another place right near there – also in Nashville.

Q: In May 2012, you released “It’z Just What We Do”, which was preceded by the song “Cruise”. Within two months, “Cruise” became the hottest country song on the radio and made it on to the Billboards Hot Country Songs Chart. On December 12th 2012, it was moved to #1 on the country charts and stayed there for 24 weeks and sold over 6,500,000 units. What was it like for you two to see your song become the #1 country tune in the country? Were you surprised with the turnout of the song?

A: I think so. I mean, that’s something you can never forget. For both of us, we were just two normal dudes that just enjoyed playing our songs for people. To be blessed with the team we had around ourselves and to watch the song go all the way to the studio, to the radio and to the top country song, it was definitely something cool to be able to sit back and watch. We have to give most of the credit to our team, our friendly coach radio and our fans for pushing that tune along.

The fans in Ottawa were amazing. Overall, it was a great experience for us and we look forward to be coming back.”

Q: While “Cruise” topped the charts, a pop-oriented remix featuring Nelly appeared as another single. What was your first reaction when you heard about the idea of creating a remix with Nelly? Did you get to work with Nelly on it? What was that experience like?

A: I loved the idea! We are big fans of Nelly, and grew up listening to his songs. We ended up being able to get him in and it worked out perfectly. His first take at it was a home run out of the park; he couldn’t have done a better job at it. It’s one of those things that happened organically and it just worked. We were excited about it.

Q: You started your worldwide headline ANYTHING GOES TOUR 2015 on January 15th in Toledo, OH. How excited are the both of you for this tour? Out of all of the places you will be performing at, which one are you most excited for and why?

A: The tour is going great. We’re more excited than ever at this point. I think we’re most excited about Madison Square Garden, that show is sold out and that’s something we can check off our bucket list. We’re excited about that and a couple weeks after that, we’re heading to Europe, so that should be fun.

Q: In December 2012, you released your full length album “Here’s To Good Times”, which had many songs on it that hit the top country charts – “Get Your Shine On”, “Stay” and “Round Here”. Out of all of these songs, which song is most significant to you and why?

A: Man, it’s probably got to be “Cruise”. At this point “Cruise” is still the most significant song of our career; that was the one that got us out there. It would definitely have to be the most significant on our first album.

Q: Growing up, who was your favourite artist? What about now? How have they inspired you to become who you are today?

A: My favourite artists were all over the map. It was all the way from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Alabama, George Strait, Garth Brooks, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Juvenile, it was really kind of all over the place. I like a bit of everything and I think that’s where we get our sound from. We’re still listening to hip-hop, rock, country and rap.

Q: You and Brian have enjoyed great success. What is it about the two of you that helped you become so successful in the music industry? Did you click right from the start?

A: I think first and foremost it’s because we’re best friends. That makes everything smoother and we can work well together because of that reason. It adds a special chemistry on stage, in the writing room and in the studio that a lot of people don’t have. That’s a big part of it and it’s a blessing. We weren’t put together by a label, it was built organically and that makes it special.

Q: A lot of your songs are about just cutting loose, relaxing and having a good time in life. How important is it to you to make time to relax and enjoy the moments that life has to offer?

A: It’s important. We always try to find time to unwind a little bit, go home and chill out and try to let it all soak in a bit. We love to work hard though so we don’t sit around too long.

Q: When you aren’t writing or performing, what hobbies do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

A: I enjoy going on my dirt bikes, hanging out around the house, playing with the dog, just being home really. Being outside fishing, hunting, just doing stuff like that.

Q: Both you and Brian have family members back home in Nashville. How supportive has your family been for you throughout your career?

A: They’re very supportive. We both have amazing parents and they’re supportive of what we’re doing. They like to come out with us sometimes and hang out. It’s pretty awesome.

Q: Do you have any pre-performance rituals that you do before each show? What about Brian?

A: We usually get together with our boys and have a little huddle, we go outside, say a little prayer, do a little chant to get pumped up and hit the stage.

Q: What is your favourite type of truck? What about favourite type of beer?

A: I have a Chevy Silverado that I love. I also have a Dodge Ram Diesel 2500 that I use on the farm. For beer, Coors Light; I like a cold Coors Light.

Q: When you’re not working, do you two still spend time hanging out together or do you usually just hang out when you’re working? What do you guys typically do together?

A: Yeah, we always hang out since we’re best friends. We usually have a dinner, go work out, hit the movies and things like that. We both got girls so we’ll go on double dates. It’s fun to just hang out sometimes when you’re not on the road.

Q: If you had to compare yourself to another country singer, who would it be and why?

A: It’s hard to compare. We always like to compare ourselves to Garth Brooks and his work ethic. I think the way he did things allowed him to take on a life of his own on stage. He did his thing and we respect him a lot. I’m not trying to compare ourselves to him, but we would have to compare ourselves to that part of his life.

Q: The last time you were in Ottawa to perform (February 9th, 2014), you came here with Jason Aldean and put on an amazing show. Tell us a little bit about that experience?

A: That was a great night. The fans in Ottawa were amazing. Overall, it was a great experience for us and we look forward to be coming back.

Q: You will be performing in Ottawa at the Canadian Tire Centre on February 19th, 2015. Are you excited to be coming back? Is there a part of the city that you will make sure to visit?

A: Hell yeah, we’re excited man! I don’t know where we’ll be visiting, but we’ll probably just have to hang out around the venue. We’ll wake up and try to figure out what’s around us and what we’ll be able to do that day.

Q: You often appear on WWE television. How have you enjoyed your affiliation with WWE? Do you have a favourite wrestler?

A: I’ve always been a fan of The Rock. The team at WWE run a tight ship, and it’s a fun thing to be a part of. When they let us come on there, it’s just so much fun. We always say we’ll be a part of it because they’re such good people.

Q: The duo of Florida Georgia Line, Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, will be performing in Ottawa at The Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday, February 19th at 7:30pm as part of their “Anything Goes Tour”.

@FLAGALine