Riley Green’s ascent in country music has been years in the making, and the singer appears perfectly happy that stardom took the scenic route.
Green’s national breakthrough began in 2018 with “There Was This Girl,” launching a career that has steadily expanded through hit records, major concert appearances and recognition from the ACM and CMA Awards. Rather than exploding onto the scene overnight, Green built his audience piece by piece, giving him time to adapt as the crowds and attention grew.
That progression can also be seen in his albums.
Different ‘Round Here reached No. 95 on the Billboard 200 in 2019. Four years later, Ain’t My Last Rodeo climbed to No. 79, while 2024’s Don’t Mind If I Do pushed considerably higher, reaching No. 25.
For Green, that steady growth has had an important benefit beyond chart numbers. It allowed him to become accustomed to the realities of being recognized while his career was still developing. Fame may come with country music territory, but adjusting to it is apparently a process even when success arrives one step at a time.
Now Green is preparing to take another sizable step.
His fourth album, That’s Just Me, is scheduled for release September 18, giving fans the next chapter of a recording career that has gained momentum with each album.
At the same time, Green is heading into television.
He will serve as a coach on Season 30 of The Voice alongside Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson and Queen Latifah. The high-profile role will put Green in front of viewers far beyond his established country audience and could introduce his music and personality to people encountering him for the first time.
Green also isn’t planning to restrict his attention to contestants who fit neatly within country music. When it comes to choosing singers, authenticity appears to matter more to him than genre. He is looking for performers capable of making an audience believe the story and emotion behind what they are singing.
It’s a fitting philosophy for an artist whose own career has developed through consistency rather than an overnight explosion.
With another album approaching and a prime-time television role ahead, Green’s gradual rise is entering a decidedly less gradual phase. The difference is that after years of steadily building his career, he has had plenty of time to get ready for the bigger spotlight.
