If you turned on a radio at any point between 2012 and 2022, you heard them. The thumping bass, the snap-track beats, and those unmistakable harmonies. Florida Georgia Line didn't just play country music; they basically redesigned it for a generation of fans who liked their whiskey with a side of hip-hop. But then, it all just... stopped. One minute they’re the biggest duo in the world, and the next, the members of Florida Georgia Line are playing solo sets and dodging questions about why they aren't speaking.
It's 2026 now, and honestly, the dust is finally starting to settle. We've seen the solo albums, the "indefinite hiatus," and a whole lot of Instagram drama. But if you want to understand the guys behind the brand—Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley—you have to look past the "Cruise" remix and see the two very different people who built an empire before it eventually became too heavy to hold up together.
The Two Faces of the Duo
To understand why FGL worked, you have to understand who these guys actually are. They weren't just two random dudes a label threw together. They met at Belmont University in Nashville back in 2008. They were just kids in a campus worship group, which is kinda wild when you think about the party anthems they ended up writing.
Tyler Hubbard is the Georgia half. He’s the guy with the gritty, melodic lead vocals that defined their sound. Tyler has always been the one who seemed more "Nashville" in a polished sense—a master of the hook and a prolific songwriter who has penned hits for everyone from Jason Aldean to Kane Brown.
Then you’ve got Brian Kelley, the Florida boy. BK brought the "vibe." He’s got that beach-cowboy energy, often taking the harmony parts but acting as the creative engine behind their "coastal country" aesthetic. He grew up in Ormond Beach, and if you listen to his solo stuff today, you can tell that salt water is basically in his DNA.
They were roommates. They were best friends. BK was even the best man at Tyler’s wedding. For a decade, they were inseparable, but the very things that made them a great team—their distinct personalities—eventually pulled them in opposite directions.
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What Actually Caused the Breakup?
For a long time, everyone wanted to blame politics. Back in 2020, there was a brief, very public moment where Tyler and his wife, Hayley, unfollowed Brian on Instagram. It was right around the election, and the internet did what the internet does: it assumed they were at war over red vs. blue.
But fast forward to their more recent interviews—specifically Tyler's revealing chat on the Human School podcast and their separate appearances on Bussin' With The Boys—and the truth is much more "business" than "ballot box."
The split actually started with a text message. Brian sent Tyler a song he’d written. Tyler thought it was great and suggested pitching it to Kenny Chesney. Brian’s response? Basically: "Chesney passed, so I’m going to record it myself."
That was the spark. Brian wanted to explore a solo career while keeping Florida Georgia Line going. Tyler, on the other hand, felt like he couldn't give 100% to a duo if his partner was holding back his best stuff for a side project. He told Brian he wasn't willing to have his own partner as a "direct competitor." It wasn't a "beef" in the traditional sense; it was a fundamental disagreement on how to manage their brand. They played their final show at the Minnesota State Fair in September 2022, and for a long time, that was that.
Where the Members of Florida Georgia Line Stand Today
So, what are they doing in 2026? They’ve both been busy, but their paths look pretty different.
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Tyler Hubbard: The Chart Topper
Tyler has leaned hard into the mainstream country-pop sound that made FGL famous. And it worked. He became the first male artist to come out of a successful group and land four consecutive solo #1 singles ("5 Foot 9," "Dancin’ In The Country," "Back Then Right Now," and "Park").
He’s spent the last year on the road, playing festivals like Tortuga and Stagecoach. For Tyler, the solo move was about proving he could stand on his own two feet without the "FGL" safety net. He’s essentially become a solo superstar, maintaining that high-energy, radio-friendly sound that fans expect.
Brian Kelley: The Beach Cowboy
BK went a different route. He leaned into his Florida roots, creating a niche he calls "Beach Cowboy" music. His 2024 and 2025 albums, like Tennessee Truth and Sunshine State of Mind Season Two, are heavy on the tropical vibes.
He’s currently gearing up for a big 2026 tour. His shows are a bit more intimate and "vibe-heavy" than Tyler’s stadium-ready sets. He even released a song called "Make America Great Again" in late 2024, leaning into his personal convictions and showing that he’s no longer worried about keeping his solo identity separate from the duo’s more "neutral" brand.
The "Hike Heard Round the World" (A 2026 Update)
If you follow the members of Florida Georgia Line on social media, you probably saw the post that broke the country music internet just a few weeks ago. On New Year’s Day 2026, Brian Kelley posted a video of himself emerging from a wooded path with the caption "after going on a hike with T-Hubb."
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The comments section exploded. Jason Aldean dropped the "eyes" emoji. HARDY asked if he needed to start writing FGL songs again. It was the first time in years we’d seen evidence of the two actually hanging out in private.
Tyler has been open lately about wanting to "get his friend back." He told reporters at the CMAs that enough time has passed and he misses the guy he spent ten years in a van with. They aren't announcing a reunion tour yet—don't trade in your solo tickets just yet—but the "Cold War" is officially over. They are working on the friendship first, which, let's be real, is more important than another "Cruise" remix anyway.
What You Should Watch For Next
If you're a fan, the next few months are going to be interesting. Here is how you can keep up with what's happening:
- Check the Festival Lineups: Both guys are booked for major festivals in 2026 (like the Sugar Festival and Tortuga). While they are on separate stages for now, the fact that they are in the same cities at the same time makes a "surprise guest appearance" more likely than it's been in years.
- Listen to the Lyrics: Both Tyler and BK have been using their solo music to process the breakup. BK's "Ed & Mary Margaret's Son" and Tyler's "Strong" album give a lot of insight into their headspaces.
- Watch the Credits: Keep an eye on songwriting credits. If you see "Hubbard" and "Kelley" appearing on the same track again, even for another artist, you'll know the professional ice has truly melted.
The story of the members of Florida Georgia Line is a reminder that even the most successful partnerships can't survive without clear communication and shared goals. They hit the highest of highs, crashed pretty publicly, and are now showing a lot of maturity by trying to fix the brotherhood before they fix the band. Whether they ever step back onto a stage together as FGL or just remain two guys who go fishing on the weekends, they've already left a permanent mark on country music.
To stay updated on their individual 2026 tours, you should follow their official websites—TylerHubbardOfficial.com and BrianKelley.com—as that's where the most reliable dates and ticket info will drop first.