Although he's permanently moved to Nashville since becoming a big country star, Riley Green originally hails from Jacksonville, Alabama. He's talked about his hometown and upbringing quite a lot over the years, sharing that it often serves as the primary inspiration for much of his writing. "I can't imagine getting inspiration from anywhere outside of Alabama," he shared in an interview. "That's why it's more important now than ever for me to keep going home."
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Recently, during a chat on the Like A Farmer podcast, Green admitted that going home is more than just a source of inspiration for him. It also keeps the country singer humble and reminds him to stay grounded. "Having my place back in Alabama is all I need," Green shared, "When I go back there ... life just moves slower."
"Keeping in mind that what we do for a living is not reality. People chanting your name before you go on stage is not real life...going and doing late-night television, all that stuff, it's cool, it's cool to get to go do, but it's building for a brand, which is me touring and being a country music artist." He admitted, "Me in real life, I'd rather be on my bulldozer on a farm, or hunting somewhere."
It seems like life in Alabama is an escape for the "Worst Way" singer, who took home three CMAs this year.
Ella Langley, Riley Green's Duet Partner, Is Also From Alabama
Riley Green isn't the only Alabama native who is crushing it right now. Ella Langley, who worked with Green on their smash hit of a song, "You Look Like You Love Me", is also from Alabama, a little town called Hope Hull. Green revealed that their shared home state was what had her rooting for her when they met. That, and that beautiful twang she's got going on, of course.
"Yeah, I've been a big fan of Ella Langley for a long time," he told Backstage Country. "We met through a mutual friend, and I was kinda in as soon as I heard her voice and her twang and how country she sounded, and also that she loved what I would call traditional country music."
"And then also, she's from Alabama, so I kinda was pullin' for her anyway. So, I was very fortunate to get her on tour. And 'You Look Like You Love Me' happened, which is something I don't think any of us had any idea about."
Watch their acceptance speech for winning Single of the Year for "You Look Like You Love Me" below.
