Introduction:
Riley Green Opens Up About the Lesson He Learned From Travis Tritt Early in His Career
Many fans might picture country stars like Travis Tritt and Riley Green as traditionalists — men of the old-school sound and simple ways, far removed from the buzz of social media. But as Riley Green once found out, even the most classic country artist has to keep up with the digital age.
During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, the Alabama native recalled a story from the early days of his career — one that taught him how much the business side of country music had changed.
At the time, Green was starting to gain traction with his live shows and grassroots fanbase. Then, out of the blue, a friend who worked with Sam Hunt reached out to him about an opportunity of a lifetime.
“He called me and said, ‘Man, we got an offer to go open for Travis Tritt. We can’t do it, but I’m gonna put your name in the hat,’” Green remembered.
Naturally, the rising artist was thrilled. But not long after, his friend called back with disappointing news.
“He said, ‘Man, you don’t have enough followers on Facebook,’” Green shared with a laugh. “And I was like, ‘I don’t even really have Facebook. What’s that got to do with anything?’ That’s when I realized how big of a deal social media had become.”
That moment stuck with him. While Green continued to focus on his music and live performances, he also began to recognize that building a connection with fans online was just as important as doing it onstage.
Green admitted that his path to fame was “very accidental.” He just loved country music — performing, writing, and playing shows. The rest came naturally as his talent and authenticity caught the attention of major labels and fans alike.
Since signing his record deal in 2018, Green has become one of the genre’s most recognizable names, earning hit after hit and selling out shows nationwide. His 2024 duet with Ella Langley, “You Look Like You Love Me,” pushed his popularity to new heights, while his rugged charm and signature mustache made him one of country music’s newest heartthrobs.
Now, Riley Green is taking that same passion on the road with his Damn Country Music Tour, running through November — proof that even lessons learned the hard way can lead to something great.