In a recent podcast, publisher Brian Barry chats with Brian Kelley, also known as BK of Florida Georgia Line on his new solo album, Sunshine State of Mind.
The album features a whopping seventeen songs and, according to Kelley, a couple that could have also lived on the album were even cutoff. He wanted it to be a whole project, not just an EP, to make a big splash and give the fans plenty of content to listen to this summer.
And that he did. When writing down at the beach, "Beach Cowboy" quickly became an anthem and BK's favorite out of the pile of songs he wrote. While "Boat Names" was the anchor and the guiding light of the record, "Beach Cowboy" was the everything else to help guide the visuals and branding behind the whole thing.
For Kelley, authencity was key. "That's all I was trying to do--just be me," he says. "I wanted to let people in in on my world and write things that are true to me."
Kelley also chats about his boat, fondly named the Brittney Marie after his wife, which has its own Instagram page. At the time of writing "Boat Names," Kelley didn't own the boat, but he manifested it into reality back in January. And while Kelley dips his toes in the boating life and the sounds of island music, it's no surprise that some of his inspiration comes from the king(s) of island music themselves, Kenny Chesney and Jimmy Buffett.
"I really feel like my cup is overflwowing," says Kelley. "It has been a fun record to make, to write, to sing and to create and I'm so happy it is finally out. I feel so fulfilled."
To listen to the full podcast, click here.