FGL’s Brian Big Garth Brooks Fan

Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley was 13 years old when Garth Brooks released his “Double Live” album in 1998.  The effect of the album can be seen in Brian’s bio, where he lists his 3 main influences as Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, and Casting Crowns.  In December 2010, Florida Georgia Live was just getting started.  That same month, Garth Brooks performed a series of 9 flood relief benefit concerts in Nashville.  Brian and Tyler went to one of the concerts, and Brian bought a t-shirt.  He wore it to the studio when the duo co-hosted Country Countdown USA.  Host Lon Helton asked him about it:

Tell me about your t-shirt: “It’s the Garth Nashville Rescue concert.  Me & Tyler both went, and it was the first time we both saw Garth.”

Did you meet him that night? “No, we couldn’t get a credential.  We were just getting started, seven people knew us, and they all worked for us.”

What struck you when you saw Garth’s show?  (Brian) “It’s unbelievable, I’ve seen TV, You Tube videos, HBO special, heard his live album, and it’s everything you dreamed it would be, it’s him screaming, the crowd singing, it’s him entertaining and getting emotional, it’s Garth, there’s a reason he’s still relevant, his music changed the whole genre, he’s the man!”

His first album came out 25 years ago, so when did you first become aware of him? (Tyler) “Garth was playing in the house my whole childhood.  The Thunder Rolls, Rodeo, so many, the list goes on, but it’s cool I’ve heard his new one twice today, it’s cool to hear him back on the radio, cool to hear him step up his game, it’s a cool song and it’s relevant, it’s cool to see that.  It’s neat to think about that night when we were at that concert, and how we were inspired by that show, and I think about that quite a bit.  Garth was the rebel in country music back in the day, I’m sure he dealt with a lot of the same things we deal with now, and so it’s cool to think about that, think about him still lovin’ it and still doin’ it.”

You can see the Garth logo at the press conference above, and on Brian’s t-shirt on the right.

Tags: Florida Georgia Line

Category: Audio