Riley Green
American singer and songwriter (born 1988)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Johnathan Riley Green (born October 18, 1988) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He has been signed to Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment (formerly BMLG) since 2018 and has released three albums: Different 'Round Here in 2019, Ain't My Last Rodeo in 2023, and Don't Mind If I Do in 2024. His debut and third albums have been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. In the span of his career, Green has had multiple top-20 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts.
October 18, 1988
- Singer
- songwriter
- Vocals
- guitar
Riley Green | |
|---|---|
Green in 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Johnathan Riley Green October 18, 1988 Jacksonville, Alabama, U.S. |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2013–present |
| Label | Nashville Harbor |
| Website | rileygreenmusic |
Early life
Johnathan Riley Green was born on October 18, 1988 in Jacksonville, Alabama. He learned music from his grandfather, Buford Green, who ran a music venue.[1] While at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, he was a Division I FCS quarterback for the Gamecocks football team. He was also a contestant on the CMT reality show Redneck Island.
Career
2013–2018: Career beginnings
Green released a self-titled EP in 2013, followed by additional EPs in 2015, 2016, and 2017. In 2018, he signed to the Big Machine Label Group.[2][3] His debut single, "There Was This Girl", was released on August 6, 2018. Billy Dukes of Taste of Country reviewed "There Was This Girl" favorably, comparing its theme to "Chicks Dig It" by Chris Cagle and noting a more neotraditional country influence compared to Green's peers.[4] The song achieved commercial success and peaked across several country music charts, including number one on Country Airplay in April 2019.[5]
2019–2023: Different 'Round Here and Ain't My First Rodeo
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In April 2019, Green announced the release of his second single, "In Love by Now", co-written with Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, and Marv Green, and released an accompanying music video shot in Belize.[6][7] "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" was released in August 2019 as the third single from Green's debut album, Different 'Round Here, which was released on September 20, 2019.[8] The Academy of Country Music presented Green with the New Male Artist of the Year Award for 2019.[9] In 2022 and 2023, Green served as direct support on major stadium tours for Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen.[10] He collaborated on a song with Justin Moore for his 2023 album Stray Dog.[11] On October 13, 2023, Green released his second studio album, Ain't My Last Rodeo. The album featured a re-recorded version of "Different 'Round Here" as a duet with Luke Combs.[12]
2024–present: Don't Mind If I Do, That's Just Me, and television roles
Green released his third studio album, Don't Mind If I Do, on October 18, 2024.[13] The album's title track, a duet with fellow country singer Ella Langley, reached position 45 on the Hot Country Songs ranking. In April 2026, it was reported that Green was cast on Marshals as Garrett, Cal's and Kayce's former Navy SEAL teammate in a 4-episode arc, making his acting debut on April 19, 2026.[14] That same month, Green began his Cowboy As It Gets Tour which includes several dates that run through August 2026. In May 2026, Green was nominated for Best Male Country Artist at the 2026 American Music Awards.[15] Green's fourth studio album, That's Just Me, is set to release on September 18, 2026. Two of the singles from the album, "My Way" and "Think as You Drunk", were released in April and May of 2026, respectively. In late 2026, Green will debut as a coach on the thirtieth season of the reality television series The Voice.[16]
Personal life
Green currently resides near his hometown of Jacksonville, Alabama. His hobbies include hunting and fishing. Green is noted for his passion for duck hunting and was branded "Riley Duckman" by friends in Alabama. Green has since embraced the nickname in multiple aspects of his career.[17]
Controversies
In late 2019, Green drew controversy for a line in his song "Bury Me in Dixie" that referenced Confederate general Robert E. Lee. He removed the song from streaming services in October 2019.[18][19] Green denied any racial motive for referencing Lee, saying the lyric was an expression of "pride and heritage in what I grew up around". Green also said that avoiding controversy was not the motive for removing the song from streaming services, citing concerns about poor audio quality instead.[20] The song returned to streaming services a few months after the controversy.[20]
Discography
Studio albums
- Different 'Round Here (2019)
- Ain't My Last Rodeo (2023)
- Don't Mind If I Do (2024)
- That's Just Me (2026)
Awards and nominations
American Music Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Riley Green | Best Male Country Artist | Nominated |
Academy of Country Music Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Riley Green | Top New Male Vocalist | Won |
| 2024 | "Different 'Round Here" (featuring Luke Combs) | Music Event of the Year | Nominated |
| 2025 | "You Look Like You Love Me" (featuring Ella Langley) | Won | |
| Visual Media of the Year | Won | ||
| Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Single of the Year | Won | ||
| 2026 | "Don't Mind If I Do" (featuring Ella Langley) | Music Event of the Year | Won |
| Don't Mind If I Do | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| Riley Green | Male Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Artist-Songwriter of the Year | Nominated |
Country Music Association Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | "You Look Like You Love Me" (featuring Ella Langley) | Musical Event of the Year | Won |
| 2025 | "Don't Mind If I Do" (featuring Ella Langley) | Nominated | |
| "You Look Like You Love Me" (featuring Ella Langley) | Single of the Year | Won | |
| Song of the Year | Won | ||
| Music Video of the Year | Won |