Last night, Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley performed together as Florida Georgia Line at CMA Fest in Nashville, Tennessee, marking their most prominent public reunion since the duo went on hiatus several years ago.
The pair were introduced by UFC announcer Bruce Buffer before performing “Round Here” and “Cruise” at Nissan Stadium. Between the two songs, Hubbard addressed the crowd: “I’ve got three things to say: first of all, God is good, second, life is short. And most importantly, your boys… we back baby.”
Friday’s performance was not the first sign of a thaw between the two. In February, Hubbard and Kelley appeared together at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, where they performed “You Make It Easy,” a moment that drew significant attention from fans and sparked early speculation about a potential reunion. Friday night’s CMA Fest appearance, however, represented a far more public and declarative statement, coming before a stadium crowd and accompanied by Buffer’s marquee-style introduction.
The pair had officially dissolved over the summer of 2022; Hubbard went on to sign with Universal Music Group Nashville as a solo artist, charting several singles and releasing a full-length solo album. Kelley launched FGL House, his Nashville bar and entertainment venture, and pursued independent music projects under his own name.
Florida Georgia Line had been one of the genre’s dominant forces throughout the 2010s. Their 2012 debut single “Cruise” became the best-selling digital country single in history at the time of its release and is certified diamond by the RIAA. The duo’s catalog includes numerous number-one hits and several platinum and multi-platinum albums.
Following Friday’s performance, speculation has emerged that the pair may appear at the Spotify House on Saturday night at 11:30 PM. As of yet, confirmation has been issued by the artists or their representatives.
CMA Fest continues through the weekend at Nissan Stadium and venues across downtown Nashville.