Riley Green On Legacy, Momentum & The Power Of Staying True [Interview]

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Riley Green

Riley Green is in the midst of a career-defining season. Since releasing his latest album, Don’t Mind If I Do, in October, the country hitmaker has been building undeniable momentum.

His Platinum-certified, solo-written single “Worst Way” is in the upper echelons of the radio charts, while fan-favorites like “Change My Mind” and the title track have racked up millions of streams. On his “Damn Country Music Tour,” Green is watching the crowds grow louder and more loyal with every stop.

When he spoke with MusicRow a few weeks ago from the road, Green reflected on this season of growth—and how hard work, good songs and a bit of luck have helped bring it to life. “It’s been a really great last year and a half,” he says simply before breaking it down.

Just weeks after that conversation, Green took home three trophies at the 60th ACM Awards, including Single, Music Event and Visual Media of the Year for “You Look Like You Love Me,” his duet with Ella Langley.

It’s perfectly clear that to the 36-year-old hit-maker, songwriting is of the utmost importance. Green tries to carve out as much time to write as he can—whether that’s bringing songwriters on the road or spending time back home in Alabama, where he finds inspiration. “Obviously now that people are really listening, I need a lot of great songs. You just can’t write enough,” he says.

With three beloved studio albums in his repertoire and years of building loyal ticket-buyers, Green is also hyper-focused on elevating his live show, and approaches each tour stop with with fresh intention.

“The thing I had to realize is, because my fan base is continuing to grow, there’s someone seeing us for the first time every night. I’ve been playing these same songs for a lot of years, so I try to remember that—and play like it’s the first time again.”

It’s a mindset he picked up while touring with superstars like Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Dierks Bentley and Jason Aldean. “You can’t get comfortable. You’ve got to bring the energy every night.”

Green says he views his shows like mini festivals. “We’ve got four acts, and I really want to showcase the artists I’m a fan of. We change the show up every night, and bring them back out and try to do something that fits each artist,” he says. “I’m playing songs from Don’t Mind If I Do, but also ones I wrote in my early twenties. It’s about taking a show that’s worked for me for years and making it even better.”

Something that Green often gets to showcase on the road is his Buford Bonds Charitable Fund, which he launched in 2023 in honor of his grandfathers. It supports nonprofit organizations that help people in need—a cause that’s become central to his career.

“I’ve been very blessed to be able to tour [and grow my business financially]. If there’s something we believe in, we’ve always tried to support it,” he says. “It’s nice to have something that, for one, honors my granddaddies, but also allows us to respond to whatever is on our hearts.”

In April, he hosted the first annual Buford Bonds Fund golf tournament, raising more than $150,000 for the fund. “We take a portion of ticket sales from the tour and do several events throughout the year to fundraise,” he explains. “Then we funnel that money to places like Folds of Honor, St. Jude or ACM Lifting Lives. It’s great to have that flexibility.”

Despite his growing success and influence, Green remains rooted in Alabama—a choice that continues to shape his music.

“My farm is three and a half hours from Nashville. It’s not easy to drive home after four days on the road, but I’ve realized how important it is to get back. That’s where I find inspiration—on the farm, around my family and with the values I grew up with.”

Green also enjoys the business side of the industry, and credits his work ethic to his upbringing.

“I think that the biggest thing I’ve got going for me is that I grew up around a generation that were hard workers. My dad and my granddaddy taught me to always grab the heavy end. They bragged about how much they could accomplish in a day.”

While his star continues to rise, Green remains grounded in gratitude.

“I’ve already been way more successful in music than I ever thought I would be,” he says. “Playing the Grand Ole Opry, doing a benefit concert for Jacksonville State, playing Red Rocks on a sold-out tour—those things are incredible. As far as my real goals and aspirations, I’m so surprised by how far I’ve been able to come in this business that I’m pretty content. I just want to get as much out of it as I can. I know the opportunities I’ve been given, and that’s why I don’t take my foot off the gas.”

As for the legacy he hopes to leave behind?

“I hope people think of me as a songwriter,” Green says. “Music’s always gonna change, but I try to hold on to storytelling and traditional values. That’s what I’m most proud of—writing songs that people can relate to.”

LB Cantrell
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