Recession indicator? I’d say so.
It seems like we’re barreling towards a Florida Georgia Line reunion, whether we like it or not. Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, the artists who are considered “patient zero” of the “Bro Country” movement, broke up in 2022 because they wanted to pursue solo careers. Well… that, and they seemingly express polar opposite political views which caused some strife between the bandmates and their families. Brian Kelley confessed that a certain kind of flag (MAGA flag) on display in his very private yard “triggered” Tyler Hubbard.
Initially, country music purists breathed a sigh of relief. But in the years after, the FGL reunion rumors have only grown stronger and stronger. They officially reunited to honor Jason Aldean back in March for a record label event at CRS:
@1033country FGL has made their return after 4 years! #fgl #floridageorgialine #nashville #crs ♬ original sound – 103.3 Country
Now, we’re hearing straight from Hubbard himself that Florida Georgia Line has loose plans to get back together, and it’s happening sooner than you might think.
While talking to Entertainment Tonight at the Academy of Country Music Awards, Hubbard said that he and Kelley have been hanging out a lot, and that it feels like old times when they are together:
“One photo and the world thinks you’re back on tour automatically. To be honest, we’ve had a blast. It’s been a really fun season of healing. We’ve been hanging out, laughing, cutting up, goofing around. It just feels like the old days. For us, we’re just trying to soak it up, make the most of it, not rush anything, and be really smart about it.”
That season of healing has also brought about the idea for a season of touring.
The one half of FGL went on to say that the pair is being patient with any plans, but they are spending a lot of time together, and they are strongly considering making the reunion official in 2027 with a tour:
“We have been toying around and flirting with the idea of playing a handful of shows next year. That gets us both excited. But right now, like I said, we’re trying to be patient with it. Trying to enjoy this honeymoon phase, if you will. I’m literally flying from Vegas to go out to the beach and hang out with him and his wife with my wife. We’re just enjoying this time together.”
There you have it. Hubbard and Kelley are hanging out on the beach together? That’s all the confirmation of a FGL reunion that we need.
The country music singer was quick to shoot down the idea of any new Florida Georgia Line music (small victory, I’d say), but did say that he and Kelley rekindling their partnership is a good example of the power of forgiveness and healing:
“No new FGL music at the moment… I do know that we’re kind of (excited about) the idea of playing shows together. Sounds like a lot of fun. We want to keep it low stress, and nothing but a good time…
I think for the world to experience a little taste of the emotion and healing that we’ve gotten to feel, it’s really special. It’s bigger than just us. It’s bigger than just the music, and it’s actually a story and a powerful testimony to grace and forgiveness and healing.”
If we have to take anything away from this news, I suppose it’s good to see Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley put aside their differences and bury the hatchet.
Though I’ll speak for a good majority of country music fans and address Florida Georgia Line… guys, take all the time you need getting back together. Feel free to just, I don’t know, be friends again rather than a music duo. Isn’t friendship worth more than a musical partnership anyways?
