josh kelley round 2

Josh Kelley's debut country hit, Georgia Clay, isn't the 31-year-old's first go-round with Nashville. Ten years ago, while studying at Ole Miss, the Augusta, Ga., native showcased his songs for record labels in Music City. It didn't go well. "I remember being sad on the drive back," he says, "but everything happens for a reason."

The success of younger brother Charles Kelley, a member of Lady Antebellum, paved the way for a return to country, and Josh released his album, also called Georgia Clay. "I'm allowed to write stories in this genre," says Josh, who wrote Georgia Clay with Charles and producer Clint Lagerberg. "I love writing three-and-a-half-minute movies." He also co-wrote the theme song for the CBS sitcom Mike & Molly.

Kelley's 2006 album, Just Say the Word, featured the recording debut of his younger brother's band. He put Lady Antebellum's demo recording of Love Don't Live Here, the song that would become the trio's first hit, at the end of the disc as a hidden track. "I don't know how many physical copies of that album still exist, to tell you the truth," he says. "When I went independent, I realized that I could make more money releasing music on iTunes and doing a limited release myself."

Kelley met his wife, actress Katherine Heigl, when she co-starred in his Only You music video.  The two married in 2007 and now spend most of their time in Utah.

Kelley currently is supporting Miranda Lambert on her The Revolution Continues tour.  In August, he'll join Taylor Swift's tour for 13 dates.