Riley Green Brings ‘Change My Mind’ to Life with Standout ACM Awards Performance

The performance was against a laid-back, Southern-inspired backdrop, complete with a cozy, rustic setup.

By

Madeleine O’Connell

| Posted on

May 17, 2026

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8:06 pm

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RIley Green; Photo Courtesy ACM Awards on Twitch

Riley Green delivered a standout performance of his single “Change My Mind” on the stage of MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada as part of the 61st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

Following several standout moments from his fellow country acts, it was Green’s turn to step into the spotlight and it’s safe to say he delivered. The singer/songwriter stepped out in true country style, sporting a cowboy hat and a denim-on-denim look as he took the ACM stage with his guitar in hand. The song, which arrived at country radio in January, went on to mark the biggest first-week add date of his career, making it clear why he chose to bring it to life on the ACM stage.

The performance was against a laid-back, Southern-inspired backdrop, complete with a cozy, rustic setup, wood paneling and an antler chandelier. As the crowd cheered him on, he moved closer to the audience, flashing a bright smile and tipping his hat in appreciation before making his way off stage.

RIley Green; Photo Courtesy ACM Awards on Twitch
RIley Green; Photo Courtesy ACM Awards on Twitch

The catchy, sing-along-ready track leans into the push-and-pull of a relationship that’s hard to walk away from, even when the man at hand swears he’s finally done for good. With emotionally charged lines like, “Girl, the second that you lose that dress / that’s the second that I second guess” and “I kinda like when you wreck everything and change my mind,” the Alabama native fully leaned into the song’s unfiltered honesty in front of a live audience.

“Change My Mind” was written by Green alongside Erik Dylan and Randy Montana and appeared on his album Don’t Mind If I Do.

In addition to performing, Riley Green also went into the star-studded night with multiple nominations, including Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe), Music Event of the Year for “Don’t Mind If I Do” featuring Ella Langley, and Artist-Songwriter of the Year (which has since been claimed by Langley).

Riley Green; Photo by Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA
Riley Green; Photo by Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA© Arroyo-OConnor/AFF-USA.com

Aside from his music, Green has also continued to expand his career in other areas. He was recently announced as a coach for Season 30 of NBC’s hit singing competition series, joining previously confirmed coaches Kelly Clarkson and Adam Levine. Season 30 of The Voice is expected to premiere this fall on NBC, although an official premiere date has not yet been announced.

On top of that, he stepped into the acting world earlier this year, making his television debut on CBS’ Marshals, where he plays Garrett, a former Navy SEAL with a troubled past.

Green’s performance on the 2026 ACM Awards aired during the live show on Sunday, May 17.

2026 ACM Awards Performance Lineup

Throughout the night, viewers will also see epic performances by Avery Anna, Blake Shelton, Carter Faith, Cody Johnson, Dan + Shay, Ella Langley, Jordan Davis, Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, The Red Clay Strays, Thomas Rhett, Tucker Wetmore, and Zach Top.

Highlights also include collaborations between Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis, Parker McCollum and Lee Ann Womack and unforgettable moments like Blake Shelton performing a rendition of “The Gambler” as a tribute to the late Don Schlitz.

Ashley McBryde, Keith Urban, Lauren Alaina, Michael Bublé, Shaboozey, The War And Treaty, and TJ Osborne are among the night’s many presenters.

The top-selling female country-pop artist of all time, Shania Twain is hosting the star-studded event for the very first time. 

How to Watch

The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is streaming live exclusively on Prime Video for a global audience across more than 240 countries and territories beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT. Returning to Las Vegas, the show takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

More details can be found HERE.

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Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.