Florida Georgia Line is a country music duo that was formed in 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The duo comprises of Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, who first met while attending Belmont University.
Florida Georgia Line quickly gained popularity with their unique blend of country, rock and hip-hop, which they call ‘bro-country.’Their music has earned them numerous awards and accolades, including several American Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.
Since the release of their debut single ‘Cruise’in 2012, Florida Georgia Line has become one of the most successful country music acts of the decade. The song spent 24 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, breaking the previous record set by Eddy Arnold in 1947.
The duo has since released several chart-topping albums and singles, solidifying their place in the country music industry and beyond. In this article, we will delve into the early beginnings of Florida Georgia Line, their rise to fame with ‘Cruise’, their musical style and influences, collaborations with other artists, awards and accolades, top hits and chart success, touring and live performances, philanthropy and charitable work, and future plans and projects.
Key Takeaways
- Florida Georgia Line is a country music duo formed in 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee, consisting of members Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard.
- They have a unique blend of country, rock, and hip-hop called ‘bro-country’, and have collaborated with diverse artists such as Nelly, Backstreet Boys, and Bebe Rexha.
- They have won numerous awards and accolades, including American Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards, and have had several chart-topping albums and singles.
- Florida Georgia Line is known for their ability to draw from various musical influences, engage and interact with their audience during live performances, and their involvement in charitable organizations. They are currently working on their fifth studio album and have a new tour set to kick off in September 2021.
Early Beginnings and Formation of Florida Georgia Line
The formation of Florida Georgia Line can be traced back to their chance meeting at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley both pursued degrees in music business and began collaborating on songwriting and performing. They played at local bars and clubs, honing their craft and building a following. The duo’s early sound was a blend of country, rock, and pop, which they described as ‘bro-country.’
In 2010, Florida Georgia Line independently released their debut EP, ‘Anything Like Me,’which caught the attention of record labels and industry executives. They signed with Big Loud Mountain Records and released their first single, ‘Cruise,’in 2012. The song became a massive hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and crossing over to the pop charts.
It was the first of many chart-topping hits for Florida Georgia Line, who have become one of the most successful country acts of the 2010s.
Rise to Fame with ‘Cruise’
Achieving success with their breakout hit ‘Cruise’, the country music duo gained widespread recognition and quickly rose to fame. Here are three key factors that contributed to their success:
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Remix with Nelly: After releasing ‘Cruise’ in 2012, Florida Georgia Line collaborated with rapper Nelly to create a remix of the song. This version became an even bigger hit, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and introducing the duo to a wider audience beyond the country music scene.
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Innovative Marketing: Florida Georgia Line was one of the first country acts to effectively use social media to promote their music and connect with fans. They regularly shared behind-the-scenes footage and other exclusive content on their social media accounts, which helped to create a dedicated fan base.
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Touring: Florida Georgia Line spent much of their early years on the road, performing at smaller venues and opening for bigger acts. This allowed them to build a following and gain valuable experience as performers and songwriters. They eventually headlined their own tours and became one of the most popular live acts in country music.
Musical Style and Influences
Exploring their musical style and influences, one can see how their sound blends elements of rock, pop, and hip-hop with traditional country music. Florida Georgia Line’s unique approach to blending genres has made them a popular act in both country and mainstream music.
Their use of electronic beats, catchy hooks, and rap-style verses sets them apart from traditional country music and appeals to a younger, more diverse audience.
The duo has cited a range of musical influences, including Garth Brooks, the Backstreet Boys, and Nelly. They have also collaborated with artists from different genres, such as Bebe Rexha and Ziggy Marley.
Florida Georgia Line’s ability to draw from various musical influences and collaborate with diverse artists has contributed to their success as a crossover act and has helped to expand the boundaries of country music.
Collaborations with Other Artists
Collaborating with artists from different genres has been a key factor in the success of Florida Georgia Line as a crossover act. They have collaborated with numerous artists from different genres, including Nelly, Backstreet Boys, Bebe Rexha, and Tim McGraw. These collaborations have helped to push the boundaries of country music, as they bring together different styles and sounds to create something new and unique.
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One of their most successful collaborations was with Nelly on the remix of their hit single ‘Cruise.’ The remix peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped to introduce Florida Georgia Line to a wider audience.
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Another notable collaboration was with the Backstreet Boys on the hit song ‘God, Your Mama, and Me.’ The song features a blend of country and pop, and the collaboration helped to showcase the versatility of both groups.
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In 2017, Florida Georgia Line teamed up with Bebe Rexha on the hit song ‘Meant to Be.’ The song became a massive success, spending a record-breaking 50 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
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Finally, Florida Georgia Line collaborated with Tim McGraw on the song ‘May We All.’ The song features a nostalgic storyline about growing up in a small town, and the collaboration between the two artists helped to create a unique sound that blended elements of both traditional and modern country music.
Awards and Accolades
Florida Georgia Line has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades throughout their career, solidifying their status as one of the most successful country acts of all time.
The duo has won multiple Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music Association Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and American Music Awards.
In 2013, they won the CMA Vocal Duo of the Year award, which they went on to win for three consecutive years. They have also been honored with three consecutive ACM Awards for Vocal Duo of the Year.
In addition to their wins, Florida Georgia Line has been nominated for numerous other awards, including Grammy Awards and Teen Choice Awards.
Their hit song ‘Cruise’ was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 2014, including Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance. The song went on to win the Billboard Music Award for Top Country Song in 2014.
Overall, Florida Georgia Line’s awards and accolades highlight their immense popularity and success within the country music industry.
Album Discography
The duo has released six studio albums throughout their career, showcasing their evolution and growth as a country music act.
Their debut album, ‘Here’s to the Good Times,’was released in 2012 and immediately became a commercial success, reaching the top of the Billboard Country Albums chart and producing hit singles such as ‘Cruise’and ‘Get Your Shine On.’
Their follow-up album, ‘Anything Goes,’released in 2014, also debuted at number one on the Billboard Country Albums chart and featured popular tracks like ‘Dirt’and ‘Sun Daze.’
Florida Georgia Line’s subsequent albums, ‘Dig Your Roots'(2016), ‘Can’t Say I Ain’t Country'(2019), and ‘Life Rolls On'(2021), all reached the top of the Billboard Country Albums chart as well.
Their music has been described as a blend of country, rock, and pop, and their albums feature collaborations with various artists such as Tim McGraw, Backstreet Boys, and Jason Derulo.
Overall, Florida Georgia Line’s album discography demonstrates their versatility as musicians and their ability to consistently produce chart-topping hits.
Top Hits and Chart Success
With their unique blend of country, rock, and pop, Florida Georgia Line has consistently produced chart-topping hits throughout their career.
Their debut single ‘Cruise’ spent a record-breaking 24 weeks atop the Hot Country Songs chart and has been certified Diamond by the RIAA.
The duo’s follow-up singles, ‘Get Your Shine On’ and ‘Round Here’ also reached the top 5 on the country charts, solidifying their place in the industry.
Florida Georgia Line continued to dominate the charts with their subsequent albums, including Anything Goes, Dig Your Roots, and Can’t Say I Ain’t Country.
The albums produced numerous hits, such as ‘Dirt’, ‘H.O.L.Y’, and ‘Simple’, all of which reached the top of the charts.
The duo’s ability to blend various musical genres and create catchy, sing-along melodies has contributed to their success and popularity among country music fans.
Touring and Live Performances
Moving on from their top hits and chart success, Florida Georgia Line has also made a name for themselves in the live music scene.
The duo has been known to put on high-energy performances, showcasing their unique blend of country and pop music.
Over the years, they have toured extensively, both in the United States and internationally, attracting a loyal fanbase and selling out shows.
Florida Georgia Line’s live performances often feature their most popular hits, but they also incorporate new material and covers of other artists’ songs.
Their ability to engage and interact with the audience has been praised by fans and critics alike.
The duo’s stage presence, coupled with impressive production values, creates an unforgettable experience for concert-goers.
With their proven track record of success, it is no surprise that Florida Georgia Line continues to be one of the most sought-after acts in the country music industry.
Philanthropy and Charitable Work
Philanthropic efforts and charitable work have been a significant part of Florida Georgia Line’s impact on society. The duo takes pride in giving back to the communities they have touched through their music.
They have been actively involved in various charitable organizations, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, and Musicians on Call.
Florida Georgia Line has been a longtime supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is known for providing treatment and care to children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The duo has performed at various fundraisers and events to raise awareness and funds for the hospital.
Additionally, they have partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for families in need. Through their music, Florida Georgia Line has also supported Musicians on Call, a nonprofit organization that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities.
Overall, Florida Georgia Line’s philanthropic efforts and charitable work have made a positive impact on society and have inspired many to give back to their communities.
Future Plans and Projects
After discussing the philanthropic efforts of Florida Georgia Line, it is important to look towards the future of the band and their upcoming plans and projects.
Florida Georgia Line has already achieved significant success in the music industry, but they show no signs of slowing down. The band has announced that they are currently working on their fifth studio album, which is set to be released in 2021. The album is expected to feature a mix of country and pop sounds, with collaborations from a variety of artists.
In addition to their new album, Florida Georgia Line has also announced plans for a new tour. The ‘I Love My Country’ tour is set to kick off in September 2021 and will include stops across the United States and Canada. The band has also expressed their excitement to be able to perform in front of live audiences again, after the COVID-19 pandemic caused many concerts and tours to be postponed or cancelled.
With their new album and tour on the horizon, it is clear that Florida Georgia Line is continuing to push the boundaries of country music and solidify their place as one of the genre’s top acts.