Exclusive: Tyler Hubbard Responds to Brian Kelley's ‘Kiss My Boots’: “I Wish Him The Best”

In a forthcoming interview with Holler, Tyler Hubbard sat down to chat about his new album, Strong, his creative process, dream collaborations and more.

A few days prior to the interview, Hubbard's former Florida Georgia Line partner, Brian Kelley, announced a new track entitled ‘Kiss My Boots’, which fans have judged to be not-so-subtly written about the fall-out from the FGL split.

In the announcement, Kelley shared that he was “airin’ out the past” and that he had “some truth to share”.

Kelley went on to seemingly reference the hiatus, “My mental health coach told me a couple years ago as I was navigating through an extremely difficult, hurtful, and confusing time that 'the person with the highest emotional intelligence has the highest responsibility.' So as hard as it was in those moments to take the high road, I took her advice and I sat back and 'ate my popcorn'. Everyone processes differently. I went inward. And it all came out in a song. Now it’s time for y’all to get your popcorn”.

When asked about ‘Kiss My Boots’, Hubbard took a moment and emphasised that his focus remains solely on his upcoming project, and that he's not letting himself get distracted by the outside noise.

It's a principle he reiterates throughout Strong, particularly on the likes of ‘Back Then, Right Now’ and ‘A Lot With A Little’, with the Georgia singer-songwriter celebrating the joys of living a simpler life.

Hubbard underlined, “Yeah, I think for me, right now, I'm probably just fully focussed on what I'm doing, you know, not letting that stand in the way too much”.

The ‘Dancin’ in the Country’ hitmaker went on to express that he doesn't harbour any kind of negativity towards his former band-mate, and again referenced the fact that Kelley was the one who initially sought to try his hand at a solo career.

He outlined, “Just like I've always said, I'm happy for BK, this is what he wanted and this is what he initiated, and I hope he's happy and that he's doing his thing and I'm doing my thing”.

Endearingly, Hubbard concluded by reiterating that he wants only good things for Kelley, “I wish him the best, and yeah, as far as that's concerned that's about all I have to say about it”.

If there is any lingering animosity between Brian and Tyler, fans will no doubt be hoping the two former collaborators and friends will be able to get back on the same page before too long, especially given the chemistry and feel-good ambience FGL always exuded.

Kelley's new single, ‘Kiss My Boots’, will be released on Wednesday, March 6, while Hubbard's sophomore solo album, Strong, is set to arrive on April 12.

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