- Riley Green was an award recipient at the Billboard Country Power Players event this week.
- He was presented the Hitmaker Award by Clint Black.
- He’s currently on tour, with a CMA Fest hosting gig on tap for late June.
Riley Green is a certified Hitmaker after Wednesday night’s (June 3) Billboard Country Power Players event. The “Worst Way” singer was in attendance on the rooftop of Luke Combs’s Category 10 bar in downtown Nashville to accept the Hitmaker Award, which he dedicated to someone special who “loved country music.”
First, during a gratitude-filled speech at the podium, Riley thanked his team and Clint Black, who presented him with the trophy. Riley remarked how he’s always looked up to Clint as a songwriter, since he, too, has solo-written several hit country songs. “For me, this kind of recognition is a pat on the back that gives me the confidence to go out and write more songs and play more shows,” Riley told the crowd.
Then, he tipped his hat to his late grandfather, who inspired his love of the genre.
“I had a lot of great role models growing up,” Riley continued. “My granddaddy Buford loved country music. I mean loved it. I remember a few weeks ago, my grandmother Lola Jean got to come to my show in Atlanta, and she said, ‘Man, I just wish Buford could see this.’ And it’s moments like this that make me very certain he’s sittin’ in a recliner somewhere watching down on all this,” Riley noted.
“Thank y’all so much for helping me make that old guy proud,” the Alabama native said in closing. Tucker Wetmore, The Red Clay Strays, and Miranda Lambert were also honored during the Billboard Country Power Players event.
Riley is credited as the sole songwriter on several of his releases, including “Don’t Mind If I Do” and “My Way,” from his forthcoming fourth studio album That’s Just Me (September 2026). The lead single from that project, “Think as You Drunk,” is at country radio now.
This quick trip back to Nashville comes amid his Cowboy as It Gets Tour, which was recently extended to run through the fall. He’ll do a quick pivot back to Music City for a headlining performance at Bridgestone Arena for CMA Fest on June 7, as well as a hosting gig for the television special, before he jets off again for shows in Texas, Alabama, New Jersey, and New York. He’s in Nashville again for Alan Jackson’s celebratory final concert at the end of the month.
All of this exposure should help Green’s fans get over the death of his character Garrett during Season 1 of Marshals, which was his first-ever television acting gig. Plus, he has already expressed interest in wanting to do more acting in the future, and he’s booked as a judge on NBC’s new season of The Voice this fall.
Amanda Hensel Jermstad is a skilled writer based in Austin, Texas. She spent 14 years as Editor-in-Chief of Taste of Country, where she led coverage of the artists, stories and trends shaping country music. With a career deeply rooted in the genre, Amanda has built a reputation for sharp editorial insight and authentic storytelling. Outside of work, she’s a proud mom of three.
