Episode Summary: "Going Solo and International with Tyler Hubbard"

Podcast: On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer
Host: Country Thunder | Pod People
Date: September 18, 2025
Guest: Tyler Hubbard

Overview

In this engaging episode of On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer, Troy welcomes country superstar Tyler Hubbard—best known as one half of Florida Georgia Line and now a successful solo artist. The conversation explores Tyler’s creative journey, from humble beginnings and international touring to building a solo career, his family life, musical influences, and the evolving landscape of country music. The episode offers music industry insights, heartfelt reflections, and plenty of charismatic moments as Troy and Tyler connect over their shared experiences in the world of country music.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Tyler’s Musical Journey: Beginnings to FGL

• Diverse Musical Upbringing

  • Tyler reminisces about his eclectic music taste growing up, ranging from southern rock to Christian music, to '90s rap and country:

    "Man, I was listening to everything. Southern rock, Leonard Skinner and Allman Brothers... all the way to Dr. Dre and Lil Wayne and DMX. ...a lot of hip hop, a lot of country." (00:07)

  • Making mixtapes was a big part of his youth:

    "...we could really kind of pull whatever song was speaking to us and put it on a CD and ride out." (00:07, 11:44)

• Early Career & Odd Jobs

  • Tyler worked odd jobs before music, including painting houses, pouring concrete, tree-cutting, and especially running a car detailing business:

    "From the age of 15, I got tired of working for my dad, decided I'd work for myself, and started washing cars..." (04:23)

  • Paid his bills and wrote songs until landing his first publishing deal in 2011/2012 (04:50).

• Breakout with Florida Georgia Line (FGL)

  • Troy recalls booking FGL before they broke out, highlighting their rapid ascent in country music:

    "...by the time you hit the next year, you were the biggest band in the world." (03:49)

  • Tyler reflects on the wild ride after "Cruise," with over 20 #1 hits and major touring:

    "Quite a ride for sure. Quite a journey." (03:57)

• Key Mentors and Creative Collaborators

  • Tyler credits meeting songwriters and producers (Seth, Joey Moi, Craig Wiseman) with shaping his sound and career (04:55).
  • On working with Joey Moi:

    "He pushes hard, and to be honest, there were times where it was frustrating and difficult but, man, in hindsight, I’m so grateful... He taught us how to push ourselves and how to take criticism...become coachable." (05:52)

Transition to Solo Career

• Solo Debut and Recent Music

  • Tyler discusses the creation and intention behind his solo records, including his latest album "Strong":

    "...my second album was a collection of songs that I felt like I was able to put together with the live show in mind and also...like I knew my audience at that point. ...an album for the fans and for the live show." (01:53)

  • He's currently working on new music, taking a more exploratory, relaxed approach:

    "...taking my time. I'm sort of taking a new approach, a different process, and trying to use this time to experiment a bit with the sound and just taking some different approaches, which has been a lot of fun." (02:42)

• Solo Chart Success

  • Three (four in Canada) #1s as a solo artist, with the fourth single climbing the charts:

    "...three number ones. Actually four in Canada, but who's counting?" (03:00) "...country radio has just been so good to me and the fans..." (03:09)

• The Newfound Freedom of Going Solo

  • Tyler reflects on the differences between band dynamics and solo work:

    "Being in a partnership is incredible when it's incredible, you know, but it can get tough when...it's a marriage, right?...a lot of different lives that are affected by all the decisions. ...I'm in a really good place, really enjoying the solo thing." (12:55)

  • Enjoying the challenge of "climbing back up the mountain":

    "I've learned I enjoy the journey and the build and the challenge more than the mountaintop..." (12:55) "...to be able to rebuild this and go back and play the clubs I came up in...the fans and these intimate shows, it's just been really special." (12:55)

International Touring & Fan Connections

• International Touring Insights

  • Tyler contrasts Canadian and Australian audiences with those in the US:

    "I think overall, it feels like the Canadian fans and the Australian fans, they're not as oversaturated with the shows, you know, and artists and so...when you go to Australia, they're so thankful that you flew all that way...when you come to Canada...there's a cool energy that is pretty unmatched." (07:54) "In the States is great, too... But, yeah, I can always know that if we're flying overseas or coming up to Canada, it's going to be a party." (07:54)

• Touring and Family Life

  • Tours about 65 dates a year, with a focus on summer and early fall, maintaining a balance for his young family (07:18).
  • His kids and wife often join him on the road, making for lively family experiences:

    "We'll bring our golden retriever, three kids, and my wife as well. And so the bus can be pretty hectic, but it's always fun. The kids love it on the road." (09:35)

The Future: Music and Balance

• Prioritizing Balance

  • With three young children, Tyler is mindful about maintaining work–life balance:

    "...kind of a pivotal moment in their life, too, where I don't want to be overworking, and I want to find that healthy balance..." (08:51) "...the goal would be to...continue to build, put out new music next year, play a handful of selective shows, but not too many shows, you know, make sure I maintain that balance and that healthy dynamic at home as well." (08:51)

• Embracing Flexibility and Uncertainty

  • Tyler remains open to where the music will take him, rather than rigid planning:

    "I'm just trying to put out the best songs I can and kind of let the music drive..." (08:51)

Inspirations and Musical Influences

• Family Influence

  • Tyler’s father was a major inspiration, encouraging him early on:

    "He passed away when I was 20, so he never really got to see the music thing take off. ...in my mind, I was always motivated by that. And just like, I want to. I want to, you know, make him proud..." (11:10)

• Broader Musical Influences

  • Reiteration of his wide-ranging listening habits—rock, Christian, hip-hop, and country icons like Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, and George Strait (11:44).

Resilience and Gratitude

• Starting Anew after Global Challenges
  • Reflects on career pivots post-pandemic:

    "...it was like starting over, wasn't it?" (12:21, Troy) "Yeah, it really was. But at the same time, I'm incredibly grateful for it. You know, I find myself in a season of feeling grateful. ...even after pivoting into the solo artistry, it's really opened up a lot of cool doors..." (12:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Artistic Growth:

  "He taught us how to sing, he taught us how to push ourselves and how to take criticism... and how to really become coachable."
  —Tyler Hubbard, on working with Joey Moi (05:52)

• On Embracing Change:

  "I've learned I enjoy the journey and the build and the challenge more than the mountaintop, if you will..."
  —Tyler Hubbard (12:55)

• On International Audiences:

  "...there's a cool energy [in Canada] that is pretty unmatched. It's pretty epic, and it just makes you excited to come back. ...if we're flying overseas or coming up to Canada, it's going to be a party."
  —Tyler Hubbard (07:54)

• On Solo Career:

  "My own boss. Being in a partnership is incredible when it's incredible, you know, but it can get tough... When the dynamic shifts or it's a marriage, right? ...I'm in a really good place, really enjoying the solo thing."
  —Tyler Hubbard (12:55)

• On Family Balance:

  "...I don't want to be overworking, and I want to find that healthy balance...make sure I maintain that balance and that healthy dynamic at home as well."
  —Tyler Hubbard (08:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:07 – Tyler shares his musical influences growing up
• 01:53 – Creation and intent behind solo album "Strong"
• 03:00 – Chart success as a solo artist
• 04:23 – Early jobs and starting in music (car detailing, etc.)
• 05:52 – Working with producer Joey Moi
• 07:54 – Touring internationally and fan energy
• 08:51 – Family considerations and career planning
• 09:35 – Touring with the family and homeschooling
• 10:02 – College experience at Belmont University
• 11:10 – Tyler’s father and inspiration
• 12:26 – Gratitude for starting over as a solo artist
• 12:55 – Enjoying the creative climb more than the mountaintop

Conclusion

Troy closes the episode praising Tyler’s humility, adaptability, and drive as a solo artist. Tyler’s story exemplifies tenacity—embracing new beginnings, cultivating a genre-defying sound, and prioritizing connection with fans and family. For Tyler, it’s about both honoring his origins and forging a self-directed path into the future.

Links:
Find Tyler Hubbard’s tour dates and latest music at tylerhubbardofficial.com

Follow Country Thunder for new episodes and music festival updates.