Big Loud Mountain

What is the biggest factor in Florida Georgia Line’s continued successes?

I think my answer, and their answer, would be the exact same: team. In fact, FGL’s trust in their team might be the key factor. I’m not sure they’ve ever carried the “I can do this on my own” mentality. I have a deep creative and A&R background, as does their producer, Joey Moi. That’s how our whole relationship began. The four of us really feel like we know what the FGL brand sounds like, feels like, is consumed like, etc. They trust us to always be honest with them, and we trust that they are always striving for great, as opposed to good. They are constantly coming to us with new musical ideas that are brilliant, because they are true creators.

With streaming becoming increasingly more of a factor, what are you doing to lead/capitalize on the changing habits of consumers?

FGL’s Anything Goes came out in October 2014. The amount of additions to the album release plans in 2016 might have doubled. And they’re all significant and impactful. There is one specific story that is a neat behind-the-scenes moment. Earlier this year, when John Marks took his programming job at Spotify, he quickly educated me on their platform and possibilities, unconventional thinking. He and I took a trip together to NYC to sit with Doug Ford and Mike Biggane. I wanted to share a few Big Loud agendas with them, and at that time, the biggest one was “H.O.L.Y.” Before I played it, I said to them that I really wanted to talk about the featured placement for New Music Friday, arguably the most impactful one-week global playlist. Both Doug and Mike prefaced by saying country usually doesn’t exist on that list, and certainly has never been the feature, but they were all ears. The moment “H.O.L.Y.” finished, they both said, “That might be the exception to the rule.” John Marks had that “I told you so” smile. They made FGL the first-ever country artist to be the cover of New Music Friday, and that was Spotify’s massive endorsement globally. We are now getting Whale Reports from countries I have never heard of.