Brian Kelley, one half of the Grammy-nominated duo Florida Georgia Line, has launched a solo career. He joins "CBS Mornings Plus" to talk about his new album, "Sunshine State of Mind Season Two, Chapter One."

Brian Kelley, formerly of the country duo Florida Georgia Line, has released a new solo album titled 'Sunshine State of Mind Season 2 Chapter 1.' Kelley describes the album as offering a sense of escapism, aiming to evoke a relaxed, beach-inspired atmosphere regardless of the listener's location. The album's cover, shot by his wife Brittany, features a wintry scene to contrast with the album's summery themes.

Kelley is currently touring, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to connect with fans and perform live. In addition to music, he is actively involved in competitive sport fishing as a co-owner of the Gulf Coast Cowboys team in the Sport Fishing Championship League. Kelley also celebrated his 40th birthday during the interview.

Brian Kelley talks new album and life after Florida Georgia Line

Well, that is the 2012 hit song Cruise from the Grammy-nominated country music duo Florida Georgia Line. Since then, both members Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelly have gone on to have successful solo careers. Kelly's latest studio album, Sunshine State of Mind Season 2 Chapter 1, was released earlier this summer, and here's one of the songs off the album called Spend Some Time There. I could just sway to that music all morning long. I love it. Brian Kelly joins us now. Thank you so much for coming here. Thanks for having me. You know, I was listening to this, I was telling Tony, on my drive in, it's like a very calming sort of, you know, I can envision myself anywhere. What did you want fans to get from this album? I think that's kind of the point, you know, no matter where you are, you don't have to live at the beach to enjoy this music, and it's a little bit of escapism, it's a state of mind, you know, it's something to look forward to, something to, you know, to have that you can play no matter where you live and look forward to your next beach vacation or get you inspired to go to work in the morning, whatever it may be for the particular fan. But I think the Sunshine State of Mind records definitely have a sound, you know, and I just wanted to incorporate, you know, my favorite music if, I guess, these records kind of sound like if Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson had a cousin somewhere, it'd sound like me. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I like that. I think that's a good description. Yeah. We can stick with that. But it's called Sunshine State of Mind, and aside from a reference to Telluride, a lot of it is hot weather kind of music, in my view, but you're in the snow on the cover of the album. Please explain. I just wanted to make it different, you know. I like the juxtaposition of, you know, calling it Sunshine State of Mind and this wintry photo and just something different. The first record, I was laid out on the beach, and it was kind of like, you know what you're getting into, and so this record, you know, I kind of played off the Colorado for Hurricane season song for that wintry vibe, and Brittany, my wife, actually shot that cover photo and all the art for the vinyl, and I styled myself. We were on a vacation outside of Jackson Hole, and we found this truck. Some guy wanted to rent it to us, and we designed the whole shoot around that old blue truck, and it randomly worked out. We showed up. It was pouring down snow, and it was a really cool moment, and yeah, just something different and to make people think and wonder a little bit, and you know. I like it. I can affirm the Sunshine State of Mind, because I was actually, the first time I listened to this, I was on a train in Italy, of all places, looking out the window, and I was like, wow, this is a really good soundtrack to that. It does work anywhere. Nice. I love to hear that. You are on tour right now. Yeah. I mean, how's that been? It's been amazing. My favorite part, you know, about getting the music out is getting out on the road and connecting with fans in real time and, you know, bringing these songs to life every single night and watching people sing and just dance and come in these clubs and these theaters and just have a wonderful time and make memories and make new fans, and, you know, we've been seeing a lot of familiar faces and a lot of new faces, and I'm just really, really grateful to be out on the road, and every night's a little bit different. Sometimes I'll switch up the set. Sometimes I'll call some different audibles and keep it fresh, and, you know, it's also great. The family of crew and band that I've been able to build over the past couple years is really special. I love our team, our chemistry, and we're really hitting our groove right now, so excited, excited, yeah. I'm excited for you. I'm excited you're hitting your groove. I know the fans love it, but doesn't all this music playing get in the way of your fishing habit? A little bit. You know, I kind of plan this year mostly around fishing, and I'm going to try to do that from here on out every year, make sure I get enough fishing time, enough tour time, get some good music out, and do a little bit of everything. And you own a sport fishing team, a competitive team? Co-owner of the Gulf Coast Cowboys. Wow. Yes, yeah, yeah, in the Sport Fishing Championship League, the SFC, and it's a new team format this year, and you know, last year we knew it was going to roll out in this new team format, and I said, I've got to get into that. And this year, we've had a good year. We've got our last tournament coming up this weekend. We need a big win to move on to the finals in Cabo, and so we have to have a big, big weekend, a bunch of blue marlin. We need a bunch of blue marlin. Good motivation to get to the finals in Cabo. That's right, that's right. A little birdie in my ear, though, told me it is your birthday. It is. Are you spending it with us? I am. Hey. The big 4-0. It is your birthday. I know. If we had booked him tomorrow, he wouldn't be able to get up. We did celebrate last night, I'm not going to lie to you. We had a good time, absolutely. That's cool. Happy to be here, though. Thank y'all for having me. Well, we love having you here. The new album's fantastic. Thank you. Were you going to say something, Kelly? No, no, I was just going to say, I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Thank you so much. Great to spend it with you this morning. Hey, show off the bass necklace. I saw that coming in, and it's in the video, too. So this is a tarpon right here. Tarpon. The old tarpon. Yeah. Kind of cool, right? Yeah, thank you. With the marlin you're trying to catch later today. Thank you. Fingers crossed for the tour. I appreciate it.

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