Brian Kelley, left, and Tyler Hubbard, right, of musical group Florida Georgia Line, and Nelly perform at the 2013 CMT Music Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, in Nashville.IF YOU GO* What: Florida Georgia Line.* When: 7:45-9 p.m. tonight.* Where: Bud Light Stage.* Admission: Riverbend pin; $26 day pass.
Opening night at Riverbend brings its own level of excitement and it's a good lineup across the board, but the don't-miss band is Florida Georgia Line.
Over the years, the festival has managed to book plenty of up-and-coming acts. Florida Georgia Line is already there, though they weren't the day they signed on to play Riverbend. They could easily hold the main Coca-Cola Stage, but they'll be playing on the Bud Light Stage, which means fans will "Tip It Back" up close.
Shortly after they were booked for Riverbend, Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley were named Top New Vocal Duo or Group and New Artist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.
The two met at Belmont University in Nashville in 2010. Their first single, "Cruise," reached the Top 10 in just over three months. Country Weekly described the song as "a hip-hop hybrid of crunchy electric guitar riffs, rap lyrics and backwood boondock roots that would make Kid Rock proud and Jason Aldean envious."
If you like your country music with a whole lot of attitude, loud guitars and singalong songs about girls, partying, cars and beer, this group is for you.