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Catherine Powell
Tyler Hubbard, Canaan Smith, Dylan Schneider, Raelynn, Blake Redferrin, Brian Kelley, and Corey Crowder
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Catherine Powell
Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley
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Catherine Powell
Old Camp Whiskey
This holiday season, Florida Georgia Line is sharing their blessings and inspiring fans to do so as well.
On Monday, November 25, country stars Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, in conjunction with Old Camp Whiskey, welcomed Fort Campbell servicemen and women to their bar/restaurant, FGL House, for an intimate writers round held in support of the United Service Organizations (USO), a nonprofit that seeks to strengthen America's military by keeping them connected to family, home, and country, while serving. The evening featured performances by talented artists from the Tree Vibez Music and Round Here Records rosters, including Canaan Smith, Corey Crowder, RaeLynn, Dylan Schneider, and Blake Redferrin.
In addition to Monday's intimate event, the duo also hosted a Blessings Yard Sale earlier this month which successfully raised funds for Home Street Home Ministries. To end the year, Kelley and Hubbard will team up with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville for a Toy Drive that will run from Dec. 3 through Dec. 18, and bring joy to Middle Tennessee families in need.
Nashville Lifestyles caught up with FGL and a few other artists before Monday evening's performance to talk about why supporting the USO is so important and what giving back truly means to them.
FGL poses with active military families from the Fort Campbell Base in Kentucky.
Nashville Lifestyles: Why is tonight's event with the USO so important to you?
Tyler Hubbard: It's just a really special night. It's important to me because we have the opportunity to give back and create a really cool experience for servicemen and women. We've always been big supporters of our military and the people who serve this county and it's the least we can do to give them a meal, a couple drinks, and some entertainment from a few special artists that we love.
Canaan Smith: I've personally never done a USO tour before, where you go and perform for the troops, but I think they deserve more than anyone to tie one on every now and then because of all the sacrifices they make on a daily basis. I think having an organization like the USO that makes sure we provide nights like this for our servicemen and women is super important.
Dylan Schneider: It means a lot to me to be out here tonight for a good cause and just getting to do something for the people who put their lives on the line in the military. They need nights like this where we have the opportunity to give back and show them how grateful we are for their service.
Catherine Powell
NL: Why did you decide to partner with the USO?
Brian Kelley: It was something that had been in our hearts and minds for a while. We were aware about all the love and support the USO shows veterans and their families so when we were offered the opportunity to partner with them, it was an immediate yes. We've been working with the Independence Fund and through different outlets and organizations, we've done a lot with our servicemen and women already and we absolutely love it. My grandfather, who I never had the opportunity to meet, was a POW in WWII and received two Purple Hearts, so by giving back I feel like I'm carrying on that family tradition. In an alternate universe, there's a chance I would have gone into the military or the Marines if baseball hadn't led me to music. There's really nothing like showing support for our servicemen and women. It's very fulfilling to let them know that we've got their back and are thinking about them.
NL: Why do you feel called to give back?
TH: To whom much is given, from him much is expected. I think it fulfills us and makes us happy to give back and help those in need. With the Blessings Yard Sale, we were already needing to clean out our closets anyway and it seemed like an easy thing we could do to raise money and give to the homeless community especially during the holiday season. BK and I look around on a daily basis and count our blessings. We really try to remain thankful and grateful for everything we've been given. With that attitude comes a desire to give back and to serve others.