A white-hot country-crossover duo brings its tour to NJ

by Jon Domenick

Deftly fusing country, rock, hip-hop, and pop, Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, known collectively as Florida George Line, have been on an upward trajectory since their break out 2012 hit, “Cruise.” The duo’s growing list of honors includes three consecutive Vocal Duo of the Year titles from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. They’ve sold almost 26 million tracks and more than 3.5 million albums worldwide, claiming the first Diamond-certified single in country history for sales of over 10 million copies (for “Cruise”). Each of their 11 singles has reached Platinum or Gold status, with 11 making the coveted number-one slot.

The gents’ first two albums, Anything Goes and Here’s to the Good Times, earned Platinum and Double Platinum standing, respectively, and the boys sold more than 1.5 million concert tickets in 2015 alone.

Now, with their third album, Dig Your Roots, climbing the charts, “FGL” has embarked on a five-month North American tour of the same name in late January. (The album’s lead single, “H.O.L.Y.,” topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for 18 weeks.) The energetic show touches down at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and the Prudential Center in Newark on
March 17 and 18. The Newark show includes special guests Dustin Lynch (whose biggest single was “Cowboys and Angels”) and “bro-country” singer/songwriter Chris Lane. With stops throughout the South and Mid-West, as well as Connecticut and Pennsylvania, the tour is scheduled to conclude in Quebec City, Canada in May.

Touting the album’s music as “a whole new musical evolution,” lead vocalist Kelly stated, “We’ve learned a lot. I think that translates into this music and into this album. We want to be 360-degree artists; that’s what we’re chasing.” Much of Dig Your Roots will feel familiar to fans, as the singer-songwriters co-penned eight of the project’s 15 tracks.

“Music is powerful,” said Hubbard. “It can entertain, but it can also heal and create emotions. It can make people laugh, cry, and also make them want to party.” Added his musical partner,” It’s a crazy world we’re living in, but hopefully our music will bring some healing and joy.”

Among the album’s cuts are the tropical “Life Is a Honeymoon,” featuring Ziggy Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley, and “God, Your Mama, and Me,” featuring the Backstreet Boys, delivering their trademark ’90s pop. The album’s second single, “May We All,” with country superstar Tim McGraw, delivers a powerful message of unity.

The duo’s next steps include launching a publishing company, and their own booze brand, Old Camp Peach Pecan Whiskey.

Florida Georgia Line, Dig Your Roots Tour
Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall, 7 p.m., Friday, March 17
2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City / boardwalk.hallatlanticcity.com
Prudential Center, 7 p.m., Saturday, March 18
25 Lafayette Street, Newark / prudential.centernewark.com/tickets