How Riley Green Stays Entertained on the Road
“We try to find something to get into and break up the monotony of just being on the road…”
Photo Courtesy Riley Green
Life on the road can get a little repetitive, but Riley Green has found his own way to keep things fun while touring. The country star admits he and his crew haul around a trailer filled with workout equipment to stay in shape between shows. But Riley also makes sure to pack a few extras to keep things interesting and break up the monotony.
“We got a trailer with workout equipment in it and try to work out when we’re on the road. And I got a little electric scooter so I can kinda hide from my security guys whenever they’re looking for me and trying to make me do something. And footballs and golf clubs,” he recently revealed. “We try to find something to get into and break up the monotony of just being on the road, you know, and get out and enjoy the weather a little bit.”
Green has certainly become accustomed to life on the road, having previously toured alongside friends like Dierks Bentley and Jason Aldean. Now, on his headlining Damn Country Music Tour, the Alabama native is returning to many of those same venues, this time as the main act. It’s not lost on him how far he’s come since his early days of singing at a Mexican restaurant in his hometown.
“Well, the venues are bigger. I can remember touring with Dierks Bentley, and Luke Bryan, and Jason Aldean I guess back to about four years ago, and I’m selling out all of those venues. I was first of three with Jason Aldean. It was me and Morgan Wallen and Jason. Now I’m going and selling out those same amphitheaters and arenas,” Green recently shared with Today’s Country Radio with Kelleigh Bannen on Apple Music Country. “When you’ve been there, you know how big a deal that is, because I know what those artists are and the careers that they’ve had, and I know how I felt about them as a fan.”
With his headlining tour comes the chance to bring along friends and heroes, and Green has made the most of it.
“It’s nice to be able to help out your buddies and let them get in front of these crowds as well. I love watching Ella [Langley]’s set every night and seeing how the crowd reacts to her because she’s having such a moment. Then having her on stage with me to play two giant songs that we have together,” he explained to Bannen. “Drake White’s on the road with me, he’s a great friend of mine. I’ve been a fan of Drake forever. Me and Drake grew up 10 minutes from each other in Alabama and I was the biggest Drake White fan there was.”
He continued, “Jamey Johnson is the biggest influence I have in country music and he’s going out on tour with me in November. Those things are awesome. But also, it’s being able to have your heroes out on the road with you. Tracy Lawrence was on the road last year. I never would have thought it in a million years. In a weird way, out of all the venues I’ve gotten to play, and all the milestones, and number ones, and awards, that’s probably something that if I had to brag to somebody about my career, it would be that: ‘Tracy Lawrence went on tour with me once.’”
Riley Green’s Damn Country Music Tour continues this week with three shows in London, United Kingdom.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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