Show notes
Brian Kelley has never been shy to show his coastal roots when it comes to his music. Known as the “Florida” half of former duo, Florida Georgia Line and titling his debut solo album, Sunshine State of Mind, the Sunshine-state native’s roots are definitely present throughout his music, but he’s ready to show another side.
Kelley is currently at work on his next solo album and while the lead single, “See You Next Summer,” might have fans thinking another beach project is on the way, they’ll have to think again.
“It’s important for me to show all sides on this new music, not just one and not just kind of that coastal Country thing, because I’m more than that,” Kelley told Audacy’s Katie Neal. “I really have dug on where I want to take this… there’s a little bit of coastal stuff, but a lot of Country stuff to be honest with you.”
Exploring his solo Country sound isn’t the only new approach BK took for this project. The 37-year-old also said he adopted a new mindset when it came to picking songs for the album, one that rid him of his ego and solely focused on finding the best songs possible, whether he wrote them or not.
“With this solo outlet, I want to do it the right way,” he shared. ”I think part of that, for me… is having kind of the Garth [Brooks] and Kenny [Chesney] mindset of, ‘yeah we’re going to write as many songs as we can and hopefully many of those make the album, but we welcome outside songs.”
The fresh approach is all part of BK’s new state of content “open mindedness,” which he says is the main difference he’s noticed since going solo.
“I’m open minded, but also have kind of a clear path of where I want to sit and where I want to stay, in a sense,” he said. That open mindedness has also prompted BK to stretch far outside his comfort zone when it comes to his music, especially in the writer’s room.
“When it comes to that mindset, I told my whole team, I was like, ‘whoever y’all want me to write with — new, old — just make me uncomfortable,” he said. “I don’t care, I’m after great songs, so I think to end up with a great project and something that you’re super proud of and to elevate where you’ve come from, you have to get uncomfortable.”
Hear more about what’s to come with BK’s second solo project, plus how he scored a free airstream, his best marriage advice and favorite song he’s written for another artist by listening to his full conversation with Katie Neal above.
Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Katie Neal
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