Florida Georgia Line Look for a Certain Type Artist to Mentor
Morgan Wallen says Florida Georgia Line could coast at this point in their career, but they don't and won't, and he respects that. That same work ethic may be what drew the hitmaking duo to the "Whiskey Glasses" singer, as well.
Previously Wallen told Taste of Country how "Cruise" was a radio staple when he bought his first guitar and chord chart from Walmart. On Wednesday (Oct. 17), the three of them celebrated Wallen's first No. 1 single together.
Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley make a cameo on "Up Down," and prior to the festivities, Hubbard talked about how they pick who they want to work with.
"I think at the foundation of it all, we look for artists that remind us of ourselves," he says. "We like artists that really like to work hard, that have a vision and are confident in their sound and what they’re doing and also really coachable. And artists that are down to cut outside songs and write with different writers."
Wallen has cut outside songs — songs he didn't write — for his last two singles, the chart-topping "Up Down" and his latest, "Whiskey Glasses."
Watch Morgan Wallen's #RISERS Performance of "Whiskey Glasses"
Wallen, Hardy, RaeLynn, Canaan Smith and LoCash are a few Hubbard named off the top of his head that he's excited to work with. Their friendship with the 25-year-old from Sneedville, Tenn., was formed in 2017 while on the Dig Your Roots Tour.
Sure, calling FGL and 2018 tourmate Luke Bryan friends is surreal, but they make it simple. "With both of those examples, FGL and Luke, they’re both really down to earth," Wallen says, "and I think that’s made it really easy to just be myself. I feel like I’m pretty always close to being myself all the time. It’s been a friendship from the beginning in both those situations.”
"They are definitely influences, but they're my friends first and foremost," he said previously.
Wallen will take what he learned from Hubbard and Kelley, Bryan and Jake Owen on the road with him in January when he begins the If I Know Me Tour. He tells ToC his style is a little bit less of a party than Florida Georgia Line's.
Morgan Wallen's Jason Isbell Cover Is Soul-Stirring
Behind the Scenes of RISERS With Morgan Wallen: