Tyler Hubbard is speaking out about his strained friendship with his former Florida Georgia Line partner, Brian Kelley. The duo famously split in 2022, a decision that Kelley wanted to happen, so they could both pursue solo careers. Hubbard and Kelley just reunited at the 2025 CMA Awards, seemingly friendly and happy to see each other again.
Much has been made in the years since then about their political differences, which may or may not have contributed to the end of FGL. But for Hubbard, what he misses most is the friendship he once had with Kelley.
“I hadn’t spoken to BK a lot in the last couple of years,” Hubbard says on Human School Podcast (via People). “But we’re going on a hike next week, so the way I see it is, I have a desire for that friendship.
“I miss the guy I was partners with for ten years,” he says. “I miss my old roommate, my best man at my wedding, and if nothing else, we should have a relationship.”
Tyler Hubbard Reveals If There Is a Future With Florida Georgia Line
Hubbard has had an incredibly successful solo career, with four consecutive No. 1 singles, including his latest, “Park.” Hubbard is now grateful for the ability to make music on his own, which diminishes the chances for a Florida Georgia Line reunion. Still, Hubbard very much wants his friendship back with Kelley.
“It doesn’t have to be what it was, and it doesn’t have to equal FGL doing anything, but we need to repair… and spend some time together face-to-face,” Hubbard concedes. “And just walk and talk and hang, and go fishing or get a guitar out. I’m excited for that, because it feels like, at this point, enough time has gone by.”
Hubbrard is far less concerned with their musical future and more concerned with not letting his friendship with Kelley disappear.
“What I’m hungry for is… let me get my friend back,” Hubbard says. “We had so many amazing years of blessings, and doing the craziest things that our wildest dreams couldn’t have imagined. We should be doing life together in some capacity still.”
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What Tyler Hubbard Says About Brian Kelley’s Decision to Leave Florida Georgia Line
Hubbard has been open that the decision to end Florida Georgia Line was originally Kelley’s.
“This was sort of a surprise. This was a career shift, and a big transition for me — going from being in a duo, Florida Georgia Line, to now stepping into this new season of being a solo artist,” Hubbard concedes on Entertainment Tonight. “And what that looks like and feels like, it’s been really exciting. But it was definitely unexpected and something that BK came to me and wanted to do. And it took me a minute to kind of process that. And I thought, ‘Well, I’ll just be a songwriter, and I won’t do the artist thing.’”
It didn’t take long for Hubbard to realize that, while he enjoys songwriting, he missed performing as well.
“Shortly thereafter, I was like, ‘Yeah, I really miss making records and touring and all that,’” Hubbard says. “It’s been really fun to kind of step into this new season and connect with the fans.”
Photo Credit: Getty Images for CMA / John Shearer