Country music isn’t just having a moment in the UK — it’s booming. Once seen as a niche American import, the genre is now packing out arenas, topping charts and winning over new fans by the thousands.
The annual C2C: Country to Country festival has cemented itself as a must-see fixture at London’s O2, while last month, the Grand Ole Opry — Nashville’s legendary showcase — staged its first international show in its 100-year history at the Royal Albert Hall.
Country’s mainstream revival owes much to crossover stars like Taylor Swift, whose roots in Nashville helped bridge the gap between country and pop. Now, with Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, which put a bold new spin on the genre, established country acts like Morgan Wallen, Shania Twain and the Zac Brown Band headlining BST Hyde Park, and next summer’s newly announced Garth Brooks concert — his first UK performance in almost 30 years — it’s clear the sound of country has gone global.
nto this surge steps Riley Green. The 35-year-old singer-songwriter from small-town Alabama has just completed his first UK headline tour, selling out venues nationwide after debuting here last summer as Morgan Wallen’s support act.
“I had never been over until we opened for Morgan Wallen, and the response was overwhelming,” Green told The Standard. “This time we hit cities we hadn’t played before and to have them all sell out and have the fans singing every song was huge.”
Based in Jacksonville, where he was born and raised, Green admits he wasn’t sure what to expect from British crowds.
“Everyone told me how intently UK fans listen to music and want to know about the recording process. I was just thankful we spoke the same language!” he joked. What impressed him most was how audiences embraced the deep cuts as much as the hits. “They really gravitated towards Jesus Saves, which wasn’t a radio single for me, and Make It Rain, which had only just been released.”
The Stetson-wearing musician first made his name with heartfelt tracks such as There Was This Girl and I Wish Grandpas Never Died, but it was his duet with Ella Langley, You Look Like You Love Me, that went viral. The song has gone double platinum, clocked millions of streams and become a social media phenomenon.
“We’re seeing people of all ages gravitate toward this song and sing it loud at every show,” he said. “Even kids, which might not be the best idea, but I think the melody is so sticky that people remember and enjoy singing to it.”
His most recent milestone came with Worst Way, his fifth career No. 1 and the first he wrote entirely solo. “I only know how to write about simple things that I have seen or lived through in my life, and I don’t think that will ever change,” he said. “Having it go to No. 1 as a song I wrote completely by myself was special — that doesn’t happen much anymore.”
That grounded storytelling runs through the deluxe edition of his third studio album Don’t Mind If I Do, released in August with six additional tracks. Green says deciding what makes the cut is always driven by the fans. “By the time we put an album out, I’ve usually written another 20 or so songs. I like to tease them online and play them live to see what fans really connect with — that’s always the best test for me.”
Though recognised by the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association, Green insists awards aren’t what keep him going. “For me it’s about who shows up at the live shows and sings along. Awards are great, and we’ll gladly accept them, but the fans are the real measure.”
Raised on a diet of traditional country with his grandfathers and ’90s stars like Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw and Clint Black, Green credits that golden era with shaping his sound. He even hosted The ’90s Country Show for Apple Music, revisiting the songs that still inspire him.
“If I wasn’t listening to old-school music with my granddaddies, it was ’90s country,” he recalled. “And when I’m driving around at home I still usually turn it to a station that plays ’90s. I know those catalogues inside out.”
Despite his growing profile, Green keeps his feet firmly on the ground. Life back home still revolves around family.
“My grandmother and parents live just down the road from me, and my sisters’ kids come by when I am home,” he said. “We’ve been out a lot this year so I don’t get to see them as much as I’d like, but we’re starting to wind down and the holidays are coming up.”
It’s that authenticity that has helped him cut through in the UK at a time when country’s star is rising faster than ever. While Green is proud of his success, he insists his philosophy is simple: “I’m not sure I’m the guy for words of wisdom, but I do think in a world where we don’t agree on much, music brings people together. If we can keep doing that and giving fans a good time at shows, then I’m happy.”
Riley Green’s Don’t Mind If I Do Deluxe album is out now.
