Country Star Brian Kelley Shares Why He Is ‘Very Grateful’ to Live in America

Brian Kelley poses for a photograph at Absolute Radio at Golden Square in London on March 6, 2024. (Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for Bauer Media)

Country singer Brian Kelley shared why he is proud to be an American following the celebration of Independence Day.

The 38-year-old star told Fox News that “freedom” is a significant benefit of living in the United States.

“At the end of the day, one of the greatest things about being an American is the freedom to speak and think and live, right?” he said. “And have your own opinions and have the right to vote, to have a say in how things go here—at a local point to a national.”

Mr. Kelley also expressed his gratitude for the U.S. military, highlighting the thousands who have sacrificed their lives to defend the country.

“Very grateful to live in a place where thousands of our heroes have died to, you know, protect our freedoms, to fight for our freedoms,” he said. “I love our military, I love our service members—would do anything for them.”

The Florida Georgia Line member shared that his grandfather, John Edward Kelley, and uncle, Mike Kelley, served in the United States Military.

“My Poppy was awarded two Purple Hearts,” Mr. Kelley said. “He was a POW in Mossberg, Germany. And his story, to this day, still inspires me and still inspires songs.”

“And my Uncle Mike was an airborne Ranger for a long time when he first got going,” Mr. Kelley said. “Then he was in the Air National Guard right outside Nashville. He even went to Iraq in 2003, 2004. And, I remember that like it was yesterday. I was like, ‘Uncle Mike is going to frickin’ war. Are you kidding me?’

“And that was at the height of everything back then. I love this country and to be American and to be able to live, think, breathe freely, and live how you want. And so I think that’s what I love about it,” he said.

Kelley’s Music Career

Mr. Kelley recently released his debut solo album “Tennessee Truth” and told Fox News that his fans will enjoy listening to a record that reflects their values and interests.

“At the end of the day, my Tennessee truth is that, you know, I’m no different than those that are going to be jamming this record,” he said. “We’re in the same headspace on what our values are and how we navigate our life through fishing, hunting, the love of our lives, of family time, you know, God. We love this country. And we’re hard workers.”

The album features 12 tracks, including “Goin’ Places,” “Acres,” “King Ranch,” and “Dirt Cheap.”

Before his solo career, Mr. Kelley had been one-half of the country music duo Florida Georgia Line with Tyler Hubbard since 2010. Together, they released three studio albums, all now certified platinum. Their song “Cruise,” featured on the duo’s debut album “Here’s to the Good Times,” became the first country song to be certified diamond.

The pair earned seven Academy of Country Music Awards, six CMT music awards, and a 2019 Grammy Award nomination for best country duo/group performance.

In 2022, Florida Georgia Line went on an indefinite hiatus after being together for over a decade. Mr. Kelley said he wouldn’t do anything differently concerning his time in the group.

“I’m really proud of the efforts that I put into trying to keep this thing together,“ he said. ”It didn’t necessarily go the way that I thought it could go and grow, but that’s OK, you know? People are allowed to have different opinions, and things can always circle back if that happens. So, you know, I hold a little bit of excitement for that. But, no, I wouldn’t do anything different.”

Mr. Kelley married Brittney Marie Kelley in 2013. “My wife, Brittney, our family time together with our extended family means the world to me,” he said.