Brian Kelley Brings the Beach to the Airwaves with ‘Sunshine State of Mind Season Two, Chapter One’ (Exclusive)

Brian Kelley has always carried a bit of the coast with him. From his Florida roots to his laid-back, sun-soaked solo career, the singer-songwriter has made a name for himself as the king of good vibes. Now, with Sunshine State of Mind Season Two, Chapter One, Kelley dives even deeper into his beachy ethos, blending escapism, emotional reset, and a sense of homegrown identity into his most personal project yet.

Credit: Ben Christensen

At first glance, the album title might seem like a simple nod to ocean breezes and beach bonfires, but for Kelley, it runs much deeper. “It’s a lifestyle, it’s a headspace,” Kelley tells All Country News “Growing up in Ormond Beach, Florida, that mindset was baked into me early, live for sunsets, for weather, for the water. But I realized over time, especially after moving to Tennessee, that you can carry that mindset with you no matter where you go.”

That mindset is what defines the record. Sunshine State of Mind isn’t just about geography. It’s about inner peace. “Whether the weather’s wild or you’re going through something, you can always mentally reset and refocus,” he explains. “It’s clarity. It’s joy. It’s my code for life.”

One standout track that captures that spirit is “People Make the Place,” a pandemic-era gem written with songwriting heavyweights Bobby Pinson and Jon Nite over Zoom in 2020. “It’s rare I write over Zoom, but the world was shut down, and inspiration was everywhere,” Kelley recalls. “I brought the title in, and we just started building. Bobby was firing off lyrics so fast Jon and I were just trying to keep up.”

The song became more than just a memory of life in lockdown, it was a reflection of Kelley’s life on the beach, a celebration of his community, and a testament to writing from a real place. “When I write about what’s real to me, it usually comes fast. That one had bones early on, and then we finished it in another session. It’s one of my favorites on the record.”

Another clear fan-favorite, and one with the most potential for bar signage and beachwear branding is “Saltwater Ranch.” The upbeat, coastal anthem was born the old-fashioned way: a solo drink, a guitar, and a night home alone. “Brittany went out to dinner with some friends. I made a drink, picked up my guitar, and had that title Saltwater Ranch. That’s all I needed,” Kelley says.

From there, it became a team effort during a writer’s retreat at Brittany’s family farm, with Corey Crowder and Jake Rose helping bring the vision to life. “Corey said something like, ‘It’s got some out-of-towners, it’s got some stick-arounders,’ and that was it. The whole vibe of the song just poured out.” Built from lyrics that mirror the energy of Kelley’s live shows, “Saltwater Ranch” is more than a song, it’s a destination, one where “pina coladas, beach bar bands, and dancing” are always in season.

The record also features frequent co-writes with Redferrin. Their history runs deep, and their chemistry in the writing room is undeniable. “We’ve been with him since his first publishing and record deals. He’s just so versatile and such a good dude,” Kelley says. “Many of the songs on Season Two were written during the Season One period. That’s the beauty of it.”

Which brings us to the album’s unique structure. Kelley’s decision to break up his solo work into “seasons” and “chapters” mirrors his mindset, fluid, intentional, and tied to life’s natural rhythm. “I had so many songs from the first round of writing, I thought, ‘Let’s not cram this. Let’s let it breathe,’” he says. “And I wanted room to stay inspired. That’s the beauty of this format, there’s space for seasons three, four, however many we need.”

After experimenting with other projects between chapters, Kelley says this latest release felt like a return, both creatively and emotionally. “It had a nostalgic feeling. Like a deep breath in and a big exhale. It surprised me how good it felt to be back in this world.” And that’s exactly what Sunshine State of Mind Season Two, Chapter One is: a world. A carefully built universe where good vibes meet real life, where Florida isn’t just a place but a peace of mind, and where every chorus feels like a front porch breeze after a long day.

As Kelley doubles down on this coastal country lane, he’s anchoring more than just a sound, he’s anchoring a philosophy. “I think I’m going to live in this sunshine state of mind for a while,” he says with a grin. “And I hope y’all come along for the ride.”

You can bet we will, pina colada in hand.