Without Lauren Alaina, the country world might have missed out on the promising up-and-comer Kane Brown.

According to both of the artists, it was Alaina who prompted Brown to sing in the first place. The two attended middle school together and were in the same choir class. A naturally reserved person, Brown says Alaina encouraged him to give singing a try.

“I’m shy off stage, but back then I was real shy anywhere,” Brown explains. “And we were in choir together, and she just told me, ‘You need to sing. I feel like you can sing.’ So I did, and it got me here, so I credit her."

Alaina remembers it well.

“He was really shy and he wouldn’t sing in chorus class, and I said, ‘Come on, Kane, I think you could be a good singer,’ and then he started singing, and now look at him,” she gushes to Taste of Country.

“The world can thank me!” she jokes, laughing.

Brown just released his debut major label EP titled Chapter 1, and its lead-off single, "Used to Love You Sober," is gaining momentum quickly. The singer-songwriter is getting ready to go on tour with Florida Georgia Line, and members Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley have said they are looking forward to taking the 22-year-old under their collective wing. Brown is also looking forward to that opportunity.

“They’re just great guys,” Brown shares. “I hope I can carry off their stage performance, learn from them as a performer … and just learning from them, everything they do."

FGL’s Dig Your Roots Tour also features Cole Swindell and the Cadillac Three, kicking off in May and running through October. Brown says he’s also working on songs for a new full-length album, which may include collaborations with other artists. He hopes to have 11 new tracks in addition to "Used to Love You Sober."

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