Riley Green. Photo: David Higgs
For years, Riley Green has built his career one venue at a time. And while that hasn’t changed, what were once bars, restaurants and clubs are now national arenas, television appearances and awards shows.
While his rise to international fame might seem like an overnight success to newfound fans of tracks such as “Different ‘Round Here,” “Worst Way,” “Don’t Mind If I Do,” and his award-winning collaboration with Ella Langley, “You Look Like You Love Me,” Green had a very different experience.
“We played all over the place in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi for years,” Green tells MusicRow. “And I have a lot of those fans that knew me early on to thank for even signing a record deal, but it’s definitely reached a place that I never thought it would.”
It’s at these new heights that Green is releasing his latest album, That’s Just Me. With more people discovering his music than ever before, Green isn’t looking to change what he does. He views his wider reach as an opportunity to introduce that same sound to an even larger group.
“I’m definitely reaching a much bigger audience now between acting [on Marshals] and being a coach on The Voice. To me, those are opportunities to get in front of people that might not be country music fans,” Green explains. “The new album speaks to fans that have known me from the beginning because, even though I’m doing a lot of other things now, I’m still writing from the same place and trying to continue to do what got me here.”
Riley Green. Photo: David Higgs
That mindset guides his songwriting as well. Across his five solo-penned tracks on the album, Green’s sincerity and straightforwardness remain at the core of his penmanship.
“There’s a simplicity to how I say things. I think that’s what’s helped me be successful because a lot of my songs are relatable,” says Green. “I write about where I grew up and a lot of people think, ‘I grew up the same way.’ So, where some songwriters can get a little bit too ‘songwriter-y’, for lack of a better term, I think there’s a simplicity to country music and how you can tell a story that appeals to a lot of people.”
Between filming The Voice and being out on the road, Green finds it harder than ever to set up scheduled writes with other songwriters, which leads to him writing during his time off in his home state of Alabama.
“Sometimes it’s just wherever [inspiration] strikes me—which is usually when I’m on my farm in Alabama. If it’s something I’m passionate about or I think I’ve got figured out that day, I just write it.”
Even as his platform grows, Green says broadening what he writes is about just to appeal to a larger audience would be a mistake. Instead, he looks for artistic growth elsewhere.
“I think that the only thing I could do to hurt myself in my career is change who I am,” Green shares. “Musically, I try to push myself and find melodies that are a bit unique, or maybe I look to co-writers that have helped me find a melody that I wouldn’t come up with.”
That philosophy carries into the album’s collaborations. Green uses the project to both highlight artists coming up behind him and nod to the people that shaped him, tapping Hannah McFarland and Jake Worthington alongside Brooks & Dunn and Alabama’s Randy Owen.
Riley Green. Photo: David Higgs
“I feel like my job with the spotlight that I’ve got now, and being blessed with the opportunities I’ve got, is to do a couple of things,” he says. “One of them is to help out people that are where I was and that I’m a fan of and bring them into some of these opportunities. And then also shed a little bit of light on the inspiration that I got from guys like Brooks & Dunn and Randy Owen and keep showing the younger generation the music that inspired me to write and record and perform.”
While some of the collaborations happened naturally, some surprised Green altogether. He originally sent “Lookout Mountain” to Owen simply because he wanted him to hear the track.
“I sent Randy ‘Lookout Mountain’ not thinking he would be a part of the song. I just wanted him to hear it, and he texted me and said, ‘Do you need a partner on that one?’,” recalls Green. “I texted Ronnie Dunn ‘Pave All Them Red Dirt Roads’ and he said, ‘I can sing it on Monday.’ So I was surprised at how easily all that stuff came together. It doesn’t always work out that way.”
Taken as a whole, the name That’s Just Me becomes the perfect title. The project captures Green’s influences, the steadfastness of his form, and the artists he wants to champion moving forward. Rather than change his tune for a new wave of fans, Green doubles down on the people and places that got him here.
Diamond Rio Slates New EP ‘America Works’ For November
/by Lorie HollabaughDiamond Rio will release a new four-song EP, America Works, on Nov. 13 via Rio Records 2.0/One Riot Records. The band released the title track last week.
“America Works” was penned by Diamond Rio’s Jimmy Olander and Jeffrey East, and centers on the idea of Americans showing up for one another through service, sacrifice and simple acts of selflessness. The song is accompanied by a new video that world premieres tonight on The Heartland Network’s Country Music Today. The clip was filmed in part at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and features military personnel along with the band’s own family members, friends and crew, reflecting the song’s message of community, service and looking out for one another.
“Other than a few soldiers at Fort Campbell, every cast member in the video is connected to us personally,” says Olander. “It made the whole thing feel incredibly meaningful.”
Following “America Works,” Diamond Rio will release “Other Side of The World” on Oct. 16. Written by Olander, Marty Roe and Heather Morgan, the personal song was inspired by Roe watching his eldest daughter move to Australia to attend Hillsong College to study music. The song also marks a first for Diamond Rio, as it features Carson McKee on lead vocals, performing the duet alongside Roe.
“The inspiration was trying to create a special piece of music that tells some of Marty’s pride and heartbreak as his daughter moved to Australia,” explains Olander. “Marty was very open and transparent when we wrote it, and things got emotional a time or two. Now, with Carson McKee in the band, it created a great opportunity to cut the song as a duet.”
“This was emotional for me,” says McKee. “I was homesick, and there’s a line in my verse, ‘I miss you Dad like you’ll never know.’ I remember having to cut it over and over because I couldn’t sing it without crying. It’s a powerful song, and getting to sing it as a duet with Marty was really special.”
The America Works EP also includes “Pink Guitar,” featuring McKee on lead vocals, as well as the previously released instrumental “The Kick.”
The band also recently celebrated several new certifications from the RIAA for “Meet in the Middle,” which has been certified double-Platinum, and “Beautiful Mess” and “One More Day,” both of which are now Platinum.
America Works Track List:
1. “America Works” (Jimmy Olander and Jeffrey East)
2. “Other Side of The World” (Jimmy Olander, Marty Roe and Heather Morgan)
3. “Pink Guitar” (Jimmy Olander, Hayley McLean and Josh Shilling)
4. “The Kick” (Jimmy Olander)
Pop/Country Stylist Ronnie Dove Passes
/by Robert K OermannPop balladeer Ronnie Dove passed away last week at age 91.
Between 1964 and 1969, he placed 21 singles on the Billboard hit parade, six of which became top-20 pop hits. All of them were recorded on Music Row with Nashville’s “A-Team” of session musicians.
Ronald Eugene Dove was born and raised in Virginia. While serving in the Coast Guard, in the 1950s, he began performing in Baltimore nightclubs. The city remained his home base throughout the rest of his long career.
After a stint performing and recording in the group The Bell-Tones, he signed as a solo artist with Diamond Records. Producer and label executive Phil Kahl brought Dove to Nashville to record at Fred Foster’s studio.
Their biggest successes were “Right Or Wrong” (written by Wanda Jackson) (1964), “One Kiss for Old Time’s Sake” (1965), “A Little Bit of Heaven” (1965), “When Liking Turns to Loving” (1966), “Let’s Start All Over Again” (1966) and “Cry” (1966). Peaking just outside the pop top-20 were “I’ll Make All Your Dreams Come True” (1965), “Kiss Away” (written by Billy Sherrill & Glenn Sutton) (1965), and a remake of the Eddy Arnold classic “I Really Don’t Want to Know” (1966).
Dove starred in his own Baltimore TV series in 1966. He guested on such national programs as American Bandstand, Where the Action Is, The Mike Douglas Show, The Merv Griffin Show and The Ed Sullivan Show. He was named Billboard’s Top Easy Listening Artist of 1965.
In 1970, Diamond was sold to Nashville’s Certron Records. Dove subsequently recorded for several small labels and began aiming his ballads at the country-music market. He made minor ripples on the country charts with six singles in 1972-1987. His biggest country success came on Motown’s Melodyland label with his version of Bobby Darin’s “Things,” which rose to No. 25 in 1975. During the 1970s, he made the rounds of country’s TV shows — That Nashville Music, Nashville Now, The Shotgun Red Variety Show, etc.
Dove opened his own nightclub in Baltimore and performed there regularly during the 1980s. He revived Diamond Records in 1987 and recorded a 1988 comeback album at Woodland Sound with producer James Stroud, among others.
The singer owned his own master recordings and repeatedly reissued his hits during the CD era. He continued to perform throughout the 1990s. He retired in 2023.
Dove died at home under hospice care on Sept. 15. He is survived by wife Marty, by children Michael, Ronnie Jr., Wayne, Don, Kelli, and Kimm and also by five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. There was no viewing; his body was cremated. There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date.
MusicRow Weekly (Mason Hunter, News, Charts, More…)
/by Madison HahnenThis week’s edition of the MusicRow Weekly covers several notable developments across Nashville’s music industry, from leadership changes and new publishing deals to major honors and upcoming television events. Click here to see the full edition.
BMI has promoted Mason Hunter to Vice President, Creative, Partnerships & Events. BMG is also seeing several changes within its promotion team. Lee Adams, Adrian Michaels and Ken Tucker will leave their respective roles at the end of September. Adams served as Vice President of Promotion at Broken Bow Records, while Michaels held the same title at Stoney Creek Records and Tucker served as Vice President of Promotion at Wheelhouse Records.
The Country Music Association is preparing a two-hour television special celebrating Dolly Parton. CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton will air live on ABC and internationally on Disney+ on Oct. 21 from 8-10 p.m. CST.
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame has also announced the sixth and final member of its Class of 2026. The late Jerry Ivan (J.I.) Allison will join Taylor Swift, Lyle Lovett, Bruce Channel, Shawn Camp and Lee Thomas Miller in this year’s class.
The Americana Music Association celebrated its community of artists, songwriters and musicians Sept. 16 at the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at the Ryman Auditorium. Molly Tuttle took home Artist of the Year for the first time, while Tyler Childers earned Album of the Year for Snipe Hunter, produced by Rick Rubin and Nick Sanborn. Brandi Carlile received Song of the Year for “Returning to Myself,” which she wrote herself. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings were named Duo/Group of the Year for the second consecutive year, while Ken Pomeroy earned Emerging Act of the Year. Mandy Fer, known for her work as an electric guitarist and touring musician with Allison Russell, was named Instrumentalist of the Year. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Robert Plant and Dolly Parton were also recognized with Americana Lifetime Achievement honors.
On the publishing front, Midland has renewed its global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville, while Johnny Clawson has renewed his global publishing deal with SMACKSongs. Jared Scott has signed with Back Row Publishing, and Jeremy Lister has inked a global publishing deal with Jody Williams Songs and Warner Chappell Music.
Apple Music and United Record Pressing have partnered on a new mural titled “This is Country Music.” Located outside United Record Pressing, a historic Nashville pressing plant that served as a refuge for Black artists during segregation, the mural recognizes the important role Black artists have played in shaping country music.
Ava Liv Mabry has also signed with Blue Highway Records.
In addition, the latest MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is included. Morgan Wallen remains in the No. 1 spot with “Been By Now.” Explore more chart data here.
The MusicRow Weekly is delivered every Friday, featuring Nashville’s top music industry news, exclusive interviews, song reviews, radio and songwriter charts and more. Sign up for free here.
CRB Unveils 2026–2027 Board of Directors
/by Lauryn SinkCountry Radio Broadcasters, Inc. (CRB) has unveiled the 2026–2027 CRB Board of Directors.
Returning CRB officers include Kurt Johnson (Townsquare Media) as President, John Shomby (Country’s Radio Coach) as Vice President and Matt Sunshine (The Center for Sales Strategy) as Secretary.
New additions include Travis Daily (Cumulus), Shelley Hargis (BBR Music Group), Jay Cruz (Big Machine Records|Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment) and Mike Molinar (Big Machine Music).
“Our board represents so many different perspectives across country radio and the music industry, and that range of experience is incredibly important to the work we do,” says Johnson. “I’m grateful to each of these leaders for their service, and I’m excited about the ideas, conversations, and collaboration as we continue to build the future of CRB and CRS.”
The complete 2026–2027 CRB Board of Directors consists of Chuck Aly (Country Aircheck), Justin Chase (Beasley Media Group), George Couri (Triple 8 Management), Cruz (Big Machine Records|Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment, Travis Daily (Cumulus), Tim Foisset (Spotify), Gator Harrison (K-LOVE), Hargis (BBR Music Group), Debra Herman (Apple Music), Kenny Jay (Albright & O’Malley & Brenner), Jennifer Johnson (Riser House Entertainment), Johnson (Townsquare Media), Ashley Layfield (WFUS/Tampa, WUBL/Atlanta), Jon Loba (BMG), Mike McVay (McVay Media), Brent Michaels (KUZZ/Bakersfield), Damon Moberly (MCA), Mike Molinar (Big Machine Music), Jordan Pettit (Big Loud), Rod Phillips (iHeartCountry), Joel Raab (Joel Raab Country Radio & Media), Tim Roberts (Audacy), John Shomby (Country’s Radio Coach), Sunshine (The Center for Sales Strategy), Greg Strassell (Hubbard Radio), RJ Meacham (Summit House Entertainment), Stacy Waugh (Big Loud), Allison Warren (Cumulus) and Kristen Williams (Warner Music Nashville).
Charlie Morgan continues as Board Member Emeritus.
CRS 2027 is scheduled for March 17–19 at the Omni Nashville Hotel.
Luke Bryan To Be Featured On ‘Live From Roku City’
/by Lauryn SinkLuke Bryan. Photo: Jim Wright
Luke Bryan is celebrating his new album with the release of his “Live From Roku City” performance, launching tomorrow (Sept. 19).
The performance features “Play It Again,” “Country and She Knows It” and a cover of “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” from the series Cheers.
“Thank you to the team at Roku for allowing me to share my music with my fans and Roku users in such an exciting and interactive way. I had a blast performing on stage against the iconic Roku City skyline,” says Bryan.
“Luke Bryan knows how to turn any stage into a celebration, and we’re thrilled to bring that energy to Roku City,” shares Lisa Holme, Head of Content, Roku Media. “To borrow a line from Luke himself, we didn’t want this night to end. We’re excited to celebrate his new album alongside his fans and create a uniquely Roku experience that brings Luke and his music directly to millions of streamers.”
Bryan released new album, Signs, today (Sept. 18) via MCA. His “Farm Tour” continues tonight in Ohio.
Industry Ink: ‘All for the Hall Los Angeles,’ Craig Morgan, Brett Kissel, More
/by Lorie HollabaughLainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Lukas Nelson Perform At ‘All For The Hall L.A.’ Benefit
Lukas Nelson, Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll and Lukas Nelson took the stage at The Novo in the L.A. Live complex for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s “All for the Hall Los Angeles” benefit, presented by the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation.
Hosted by Wilson, the guitar pull included a cameo appearance by Grammy-winner John Mayer on “Phone, Keys, Wallet” with Wilson, marking the first time they’ve performed the song together live. The event also included a performance by six high school students from Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles of their song “I’ll Overcome,” which they wrote during a Words & Music program with their class, with support from songwriters Phil Barton and Liz Rose. The Love Junkies, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose, kicked off the night’s festivities with a special performance at a patron party on Sept. 16. Proceeds from “All for the Hall Los Angeles” support the museum’s many educational programs.
Craig Morgan Performs National Anthem At Colts’ Season Opener
Craig Morgan. Photo: Courtesy of Indianapolis Colts
Craig Morgan performed the National Anthem at the Indianapolis Colts season opener against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 13. The performance, which was preceded by members of the Professional Firefighters Union presenting the colors and a poignant moment of silence in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, aired live on CBS.
Brett Kissel Inks With MPI Talent Agency
Brett Kissel
Brett Kissel has signed with MPI Talent Agency for worldwide agency representation. Kissel will be represented by Jordan Tubiolo, MPI’s Vice President of Global Touring, and Paul O’Neil, who heads MPI’s recently established Canadian office. The agency will work alongside Kevin Bushey, President and CEO of Elevation Entertainment Agency. Kissel will expand his “The Side You’ve Never Seen Tour” with a limited run around the holiday season, visiting some of his favorite venues as well as stops requested directly by fans.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to join the MPI team alongside Jordan, Paul and Kevin,” says Kissel. “I’ve got a fire lit inside me and a long list of goals and dreams I want to chase, and I’m excited to have this team beside me as I go after them. I’m incredibly grateful to be welcomed into the MPI family and to have people around me who believe in what’s ahead.”
Taylor Steele Joins Quartz Hill Music Group As Publicity Manager
Taylor Steele. Photo: Hayley Gjertsen
Taylor Steele has joined Quartz Hill Music Group as Publicity Manager. Steele’s previous stops include Amazon, Broadcast Music, Inc., Universal Music Group Nashville, and most recently, 117 Entertainment. In her new role, Steele will assist in building and strengthening strategic media and industry relationships for all artists on QHMG imprints Quartz Hill Records and Stone Country Records, as well as for Brown Sellers Brown Management.
Steele will report directly to Vice President of Publicity & Media Marketing Natalie Kilgore. Her new role is effective immediately, and she can be reached at taylor@qhmusicgroup.com.
Judy Collins’ Career Spotlighted In Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s AMERICANAFEST Program
Judy Collins and Vice President of Museum Services Michael Gray at the museum. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Folk music legend Judy Collins participated in a discussion about her career earlier this week in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Ford Theater led by the museum’s Vice President of Museum Services Michael Gray. Collins shared stories about the early 1960s music scene in Greenwich Village, where she encountered Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger.
She also discussed creating hits like “Someday Soon”; recording with country music luminary Buddy Emmons and James Burton in L.A.; championing songwriters Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen; and how her relationship with Stephen Stills inspired him to write “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.” The program was presented in partnership with the Americana Music Association and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum during the association’s 26th annual AMERICANAFEST.
Singer-Songwriter Anne Elise Signs With NCS Records
Pictured (L-R): NCS Records Director of Label Operations and A&R Claire Bacon; Anne Elise; Nashville Christian Songwriters Founder and President John Chisum; and Nashville Christian Songwriters Vice President Bryant Urich.
Singer/songwriter Anne Elise has signed with Nashville Christian Songwriters’ NCS Records. A Belmont University student and former member of the collective Ezra Worship, Elise’s debut NCS Records single, “Changing,” is out now.
“I’m so excited to see this next chapter unfold with NCS Records,” Elise says. “I’m grateful to work with such an amazing team of people who are eager to help bring my music to those who need to hear it and can be encouraged by it.”
Dolly Parton’s ‘Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol’ To Visit 25 Cities Nationwide
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Courtesy of Dolly Parton Enterprises
Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol holiday musical is set to kick off Nov. 14 in Princeton, West Virginia, before heading to 25 cities across the country.
Set in the 1930s in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, the production imagines Ebenezer Scrooge as the owner of a mining company town. The holiday tale re-written features music and lyrics by Dolly and the book by David H. Bell, adapted for the stage by Bell, Paul T. Couch, and Curt Wollan. Tickets for all performances are on sale now.
Parton described the musical as “My love letter to the Smoky Mountains, to Christmas, and to the timeless reminder that love, compassion, and generosity are gifts that we can all share.”
“The holidays have always held a special place in Dolly’s heart,” says Couch, “and this year that love feels significantly more poignant. ‘A Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol’ represents another meaningful way to experience the many musical gifts that Dolly created for us to enjoy and connect with her, and it’s with that spirit that we’ll share her beautiful songs and stories.”
2026 Tour Schedule:
November 14 – Princeton, WV – Chuck Mathena Center
November 15-16 – Morgantown, WV – Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre
November 17 – Huntington, WV – Keith-Albee Perf. Arts Center
November 21 – Sheboygan, WI – Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts
November 22 – Appleton, WI – Thrivent Hall at Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
November 24 – Minneapolis, MN – State Theatre
November 25 – Omaha, NE – Orpheum Theater
November 28 – Tyler, TX – Cowan PAC (or is it UT Tyler Cowan Center)
November 29 – Lubbock, TX – The Buddy Holly Hall
December 1 – Pensacola, FL – Saenger Theatre
December 2 – Macon, GA – The Piedmont Grand Opera House
December 3 – Oxford, MS – Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts
December 4 – Baton Rouge, LA – River Center Theatre for Performing Arts
December 6 – Orange, TX – Lutcher Theater
December 8 – Fayetteville, AR – Walton Arts Center
December 10 – Wheeling, WV – Capitol Theatre
December 11-12 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre
December 13 – Wabash, IN – Ford Theatre at Honeywell Center
December 16 – Toledo, OH – The Stranahan
December 17 – New Philadelphia, OH – Performing Arts Center at Kent State Tuscarawas
December 18 – Akron, OH – Akron Civic Theatre
December 19-20 – Midland, MI – Midland Center for the Arts
December 23 – Indianapolis, IN – Clowes Hall (Butler University)
Kenny Chesney To Host ‘Silver Sands Marina’ Album Release Show In Nashville
/by Madison HahnenKenny Chesney. Photo: Allister Ann
Kenny Chesney will host a pop-up album release show for his upcoming project Silver Sands Marina on Sept. 25 at the Pinnacle.
“This new music – maybe because we’ve had so much time to get it to this place – has taken me back to when albums mattered, the songs kind of spoke to each other, and we found some really special, unusual things,” says Chesney. “Between loving this record and just getting to play a little bit at TODAY, I figured we should keep rocking – and maybe make it a little bit bigger than a Keg in the Keys or Keg in the Closet show.
“So, we got everybody together… and we’re taking over the Pinnacle in Nashville,” he continues. “One night only, probably not more than a couple thousand tickets, and we’re trying to make it fun and fair to get in. If the band and I can get it together, we’re gonna play five, six, maybe even seven of these eleven songs, and I can’t wait.”
A limited number of tickets will be available for $10 through Fair AXS. Fans can register through Sept. 19 at 9 p.m. CT for a chance to purchase tickets. Those selected will receive a private ticket link connected to their AXS account.
Fans can celebrate Silver Sands Marina at an activation in the Pinnacle plaza on Sept. 24 from 5-10 p.m. CT and Sept. 25 from 12-10 p.m. CT. The experience will feature life-size displays, photo opportunities, food trucks, bars and more. Physical copies of the album, including signed vinyl and CDs, along with special variants, will also be available for purchase.
Riley Green Stays Close To Home On ‘That’s Just Me’ [Interview]
/by John Nix ArledgeRiley Green. Photo: David Higgs
For years, Riley Green has built his career one venue at a time. And while that hasn’t changed, what were once bars, restaurants and clubs are now national arenas, television appearances and awards shows.
While his rise to international fame might seem like an overnight success to newfound fans of tracks such as “Different ‘Round Here,” “Worst Way,” “Don’t Mind If I Do,” and his award-winning collaboration with Ella Langley, “You Look Like You Love Me,” Green had a very different experience.
“We played all over the place in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi for years,” Green tells MusicRow. “And I have a lot of those fans that knew me early on to thank for even signing a record deal, but it’s definitely reached a place that I never thought it would.”
It’s at these new heights that Green is releasing his latest album, That’s Just Me. With more people discovering his music than ever before, Green isn’t looking to change what he does. He views his wider reach as an opportunity to introduce that same sound to an even larger group.
“I’m definitely reaching a much bigger audience now between acting [on Marshals] and being a coach on The Voice. To me, those are opportunities to get in front of people that might not be country music fans,” Green explains. “The new album speaks to fans that have known me from the beginning because, even though I’m doing a lot of other things now, I’m still writing from the same place and trying to continue to do what got me here.”
Riley Green. Photo: David Higgs
That mindset guides his songwriting as well. Across his five solo-penned tracks on the album, Green’s sincerity and straightforwardness remain at the core of his penmanship.
“There’s a simplicity to how I say things. I think that’s what’s helped me be successful because a lot of my songs are relatable,” says Green. “I write about where I grew up and a lot of people think, ‘I grew up the same way.’ So, where some songwriters can get a little bit too ‘songwriter-y’, for lack of a better term, I think there’s a simplicity to country music and how you can tell a story that appeals to a lot of people.”
Between filming The Voice and being out on the road, Green finds it harder than ever to set up scheduled writes with other songwriters, which leads to him writing during his time off in his home state of Alabama.
“Sometimes it’s just wherever [inspiration] strikes me—which is usually when I’m on my farm in Alabama. If it’s something I’m passionate about or I think I’ve got figured out that day, I just write it.”
Even as his platform grows, Green says broadening what he writes is about just to appeal to a larger audience would be a mistake. Instead, he looks for artistic growth elsewhere.
“I think that the only thing I could do to hurt myself in my career is change who I am,” Green shares. “Musically, I try to push myself and find melodies that are a bit unique, or maybe I look to co-writers that have helped me find a melody that I wouldn’t come up with.”
That philosophy carries into the album’s collaborations. Green uses the project to both highlight artists coming up behind him and nod to the people that shaped him, tapping Hannah McFarland and Jake Worthington alongside Brooks & Dunn and Alabama’s Randy Owen.
Riley Green. Photo: David Higgs
“I feel like my job with the spotlight that I’ve got now, and being blessed with the opportunities I’ve got, is to do a couple of things,” he says. “One of them is to help out people that are where I was and that I’m a fan of and bring them into some of these opportunities. And then also shed a little bit of light on the inspiration that I got from guys like Brooks & Dunn and Randy Owen and keep showing the younger generation the music that inspired me to write and record and perform.”
While some of the collaborations happened naturally, some surprised Green altogether. He originally sent “Lookout Mountain” to Owen simply because he wanted him to hear the track.
“I sent Randy ‘Lookout Mountain’ not thinking he would be a part of the song. I just wanted him to hear it, and he texted me and said, ‘Do you need a partner on that one?’,” recalls Green. “I texted Ronnie Dunn ‘Pave All Them Red Dirt Roads’ and he said, ‘I can sing it on Monday.’ So I was surprised at how easily all that stuff came together. It doesn’t always work out that way.”
Taken as a whole, the name That’s Just Me becomes the perfect title. The project captures Green’s influences, the steadfastness of his form, and the artists he wants to champion moving forward. Rather than change his tune for a new wave of fans, Green doubles down on the people and places that got him here.
Brandy Clark’s New Album ‘The Bird’ Set For January
/by Lorie HollabaughBrandy Clark. Photo: Pamela Springsteen
Brandy Clark will celebrate the New Year with the release of her new album, the bird, on Jan. 15 via Reprise Records. In advance of the release, Clark has shared a new song from the project, “American Roots,” today (Sept. 18).
the bird spotlights the search for connection in a world often defined by division. The project, produced by Shooter Jennings and recorded with members of Clark’s road band, Gabe Burdulia, Amanda McCoy and Erin Nelson, explores love, loss, isolation, and what it means to belong. The 11-track album also includes collaborations with Rosanne Cash and SistaStrings.
“My hope is that listeners will feel as inspired and entertained by this body of work as we did while making it,” shares Clark. “We had such a great time bringing these songs to life in the studio, and I hope that spirit comes through. More than anything, I hope everyone who listens can find a little piece of themselves somewhere in these songs.”
Clark will also embark on her extensive “Take Flight World Tour” next year, with shows in Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston, Charleston, Atlanta and more. Tickets go on sale today at brandyclarkmusic.com.
The Bird Track List:
1. “The Loner And The Lonely”
2. “Tower”
3. “Still Found You”
4. “Goodnight Los Angeles”
5. “And The Sun Said To The Moon”
6. “American Roots”
7. “The Bird”
8. “Astronaut” (feat. SistaStrings)
9. “Stranger On A Plane”
10. “Old Woman” (feat. Rosanne Cash)
11. “If There’s Someone You Love”