• Riley Green’s full name is Johnathan Riley Green, born October 18, 1988, in Jacksonville, Alabama. 
• He grew up in a Southern environment deeply steeped in traditional country, gospel and bluegrass music — influenced especially by his grandfather, Bufford Green, who ran a music venue (“Golden Saw Music Hall”) during Riley’s youth. 
• Also, he was an athlete: he attended Jacksonville State University where he played as a quarterback for the Division I FCS football team. 
• Outside of sports and music, Riley is an outdoorsman and enjoys activities like duck hunting (his nickname “Duckman” reflects this). 
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Music Career & Milestones
• Riley began releasing music in the early 2010s with EPs — for example, a self-titled EP in 2013. 
• He signed with Big Machine Label Group (and its label imprint) in 2018. 
• His debut studio album, Different ’Round Here (2019) was released September 20, 2019. 
• His second album, Ain’t My Last Rodeo, came out in 2023. 
• His third album, Don’t Mind If I Do, released October 18, 2024. 
• Some of his major singles:
• “There Was This Girl” — early hit that helped raise his profile. 
• “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” — another well-known track. 
• “Worst Way” — lead single from his third album. 
• Awards & recognition: He was named the Academy of Country Music (ACM) New Male Artist of the Year in 2019 (or around that period). 
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Musical Style & Themes
• Riley’s style is rooted in traditional country: boots, trucks, love for the South, small-town life. AllMusic describes him as “straight-ahead country … often to a big beat that recalls the boot-scootin’ 1990s.” 
• His lyrics often reflect his upbringing and lifestyle: hunting/outdoors, small-town values, trucking, relationships. 
• While “traditional”, he also brings a modern polish and commercial country sensibility.
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Personal Life & Interests
• Life outside music: He remains connected to his Alabama roots; per an interview, even while being successful he kept in touch with his home environment and the outdoors. 
• He maintains a strong outdoorsman identity (“hunter/outdoorsman”) in his branding. 
• On a lighter note: His fans call him “Duckman” because of his affinity for duck hunting. 
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Why He’s Noteworthy & What to Listen For
• Riley Green stands out because he marries a genuine traditional country background with mainstream success — not always easy in a genre where authenticity is often valued.
• If you’re new to his music, good entry points:
• “There Was This Girl” — for his breakout sound.
• “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” — for the reflective, sentimental side.
• “Worst Way” — for his newer work with a mature, modern twist.
• On albums: Different ’Round Here gives the groundwork; Don’t Mind If I Do shows his growth as a writer and entertainer.