Introduction
Riley Green Lost Out on Touring With Travis Tritt — For One Surprising Reason
October 2025 — Before Riley Green became one of country music’s most recognizable stars, his journey nearly included a coveted opening slot on tour with legendary ’90s country artist Travis Tritt — but the opportunity slipped away for a reason few fans expected.
Green, now a platinum-selling singer known for hits like “Worst Way” and his chart-topping duet with Ella Langley, revealed on The Pat McAfee Show that the missed chance to tour with Tritt wasn’t due to talent or timing — it was his lack of social media presence at the time.
According to Green, a friend who worked with artist Sam Hunt offered to put him forward as an opening act for Tritt. Green was excited for what could have been an early career breakthrough — until he got the call back. “Man, you don’t have enough followers on Facebook,” he was told, forcing the gig to pass him by.
At the time, Green admits he barely used Facebook, wondering why an artist’s follower count would matter more than his performances in front of real crowds. But that moment proved to be a valuable lesson: in today’s music industry, a strong social media footprint can be as important as musical talent.
Since then, Green has significantly expanded his online audience — amassing hundreds of thousands of followers across platforms — and turned the disappointment into motivation to build his brand both on- and off-stage.
Now a mainstay on the country charts and frequently selling out venues across the U.S. with his Damn Country Music Tour, Green’s early rejection has become part of the story of his rise. The missed Tritt opportunity doesn’t define him — but it certainly helped sharpen his understanding of the modern music business.