- April 25, 2024
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Son of Ormond Beach mayor looks forward to hometown concert.
Wayne Grant
News Editor
One of Ormond Beach’s favorite sons, Brian Kelley, and his friend, Tyler Hubbard, are going to perform locally for the first time since their meteoric rise to fame in the world of country music. Known as Florida Georgia Line, the duo will perform the Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show on Feb. 21.
Kelley’s dad, Ed, who also is the mayor of Ormond Beach, said it is especially exciting because it’s the first 500 race after the completion of the Daytona Rising project. He said they had talked about possibly singing the National Anthem at the race, but never thought of headlining the show.
The mayor and his son have memories of the track. Brian sold programs to raise money for his Seabreeze baseball team, and father and son attended or watched several races. When Brian Kelley was young, Mayor Kelley worked for Hawaiian Tropic, which sponsored a racecar.
They also attended a couple of 24 Hours of Daytona races.
Kelley said his son has long wanted to perform in his hometown.
When Brian Kelley was young, he enjoyed music but mostly concentrated on baseball, according to his dad. In high school, he took a keyboard class and found that he enjoyed playing music.
Kelley said he has seen how hard his son and Hubbard have practiced and worked.
“It goes to show you that if you work hard and persevere then goals can be obtained,” he said. They worked very, very hard and had a passion.”
In a press release, Brian Kelley said, “"It's a dream come true to play in the city where I was born, went to high school in and now have the honor of being a part of one of my family’s favorite sporting events, the DAYTONA 500. Performing at the 500 feels full circle to me, as I grew up working the 500 as a fundraiser for our baseball team and was in awe then and still am.”
Hubbard said, “We're extremely thankful for the opportunity to be part of such a huge day for NASCAR and our fans. We can’t wait to bring the biggest party the DAYTONA 500 has ever seen.”
Florida Georgia Line had three consecutive number one records and their new album is number one on the all-genre Billboard 200, according to a press release from Daytona International Speedway.
Ticket options are available which include the concert. Visit daytona500.com or call 800-PITSHOP.
