Brian Kelley can’t stop and won’t stop soaking up the sunshine — and inspiration — in Florida.
While many in country music call Nashville home, the “Saltwater Ranch” singer and his wife, Brittney Kelley, have found their oasis in the Sunshine State.
“What I love about where we live in Florida is it’s obviously inspiring,” Brian, 39, exclusively shared with Us Weekly before the Friday, June 20, release of Sunshine State of Mind Season Two, Chapter One. “We work from here. I’ll record from here. I got a studio not far from the house. I also can record at the house as well. Brittney and I have multiple other businesses — restaurant, surf shop and then our clothing line, Tribe Kelley — so we’re constantly working pretty much on something.”
With so many work commitments, Brian admits not every day can be a beach day, but those memories down by the water can be heard in his new music.
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In his latest single, “Saltwater Ranch,” Brian sings about a destination where people “like to dance and drink piña coladas” alongside a beach bar band.
While the country singer joked that the “Saltwater Ranch” can actually be a “physical bar or restaurant” one day, he has been able to create something special with Tribe Kelley Surf Post in Grayton Beach, Florida.
The shop — filled with Tribe Kelley’s best-selling products — turns into an event space in the backyard where Brian performs his live concert series, Surf Post Sessions.
“We created something that we would want to go to, and we would want to experience,” he shared. “We just love putting ourselves in unique spaces and places that have a story, that also tell a story. You can kind of go back in history and also live in the current moment at the Surf Post. It’s a special place. We just try to have a great time.”
Those good times in Florida don’t have to include music. One look at Brian’s Instagram and you may see the singer on a boat, fishing or experiencing water activities.
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“What I love about living in Florida and close to the water is we’ll carve out time — even when we’re really busy — for a quick lunch at the beach or a 15-, 20-minute bike ride to the beach to go check out the waves,” Brian shared. “Even if it’s raining, we’ll sit on the porch and watch it rain and watch the thunder roll in sometimes.”
When listening to the 14 tracks on Brian’s new album, the former Florida Georgia Line member hopes fans will get a sense of his creative passion and country-born pride expressed through a laid-back beach town vibe.
“Florida continues to shape who I am,” Brian — who will be performing across the country this summer on his headline tour — explained to Us. “I love the state. I love how diverse it is in terms of all the things — all the waterways, the bodies of water, the different colors of sand you’ve got from the Panhandle down to Key West up to Jacksonville. There’s so much great Florida history, so many great cultures, so much great food. It’s just a great place to live.”
