Riley Green Celebrates First No. 1 with “There Was This Girl”

Riley Green celebrated his first No. 1 as an artist and songwriter with “There Was This Girl” yesterday (July 16) at the Sutler Saloon. Green entertained guests with a performance of “There Was This Girl” and his yet to be released single, “I Wish Grandpas Never Died.” The single marked the first No. 1 for both Green and his co-writer Erik Dylan.

BMI’s David Preston presented Green and Dylan with new Taylor acoustic guitars and BMI’s pewter cups to commemorate the chart-topping song.

Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel gave recognition to Green and Dylan with a plaque adding, “No. 1 parties started in PRO offices with just a PRO person and a toast with the songwriters. It was not like this. I don’t want you to forget this moment.” He handed the writers engraved decanters so they can continue toasting the song.

Peer Music’s Michael Knox added, “[This is] a very strong, old school writing crew right here. I am very proud to be a part of Erik and Riley’s first No. 1.”

Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen awarded Green with a plaque. Borchetta expressed, “This is obviously a really special day for a very special artist. We were not going to be denied to get this song to No. 1. This is one of the biggest wins we have ever had and we couldn’t have done it for a better artist.”

Dylan thanked his family and those that have been a part of his career throughout the years. He thanked Bradley Jordan for putting him in a room with Green. “I told [Riley] that day, ‘I know what you are doing; I know who you are.’ We are from different places, but we are small town, family-oriented, country music-loving people.”

Green concluded the event by thanking his team and Dylan, saying, “I can remember ‘The Girl That Got Away’ by Erik and I was a fan. [‘There Was This Girl’] was such an easy write. He is my kind of guy, and he is doing something different than a lot of folks in town which I was drawn to.”

The event was sponsored by Pinnacle Bank who made a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in honor of the songwriters.