Country music artist Riley Green, known for his chart-topping hits, recently shared the surprising circumstances behind his foray into acting, crediting a fellow musician and actor, Luke Grimes, for opening that unexpected door. Green, 37, revealed on “CBS Mornings” that his role in the “Yellowstone” spinoff, “Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” came about through a connection with Grimes, who stars in the original “Yellowstone” series.
An Organic Introduction to Acting
The collaboration began organically as Green and Grimes found common ground in music. “It happened so organically because he was starting his music career and coming to Nashville a little bit. We wrote together,” Green explained. This musical connection soon led to a discussion about acting.
Grimes, who plays Kayce Dutton in the flagship “Yellowstone” series and has a background in music himself, suggested Green explore acting. “He mentioned something about maybe I should act,” Green recalled. “I said, ‘Well I’m interested.’ He said, ‘I’ve got this show.'” A few months later, Green auditioned for a part and was offered the role.
His acting debut saw him portraying Garrett, a former Navy SEAL grappling with PTSD, appearing alongside Grimes in the “Lawmen: Bass Reeves” series. Reflecting on the unusual nature of the opportunity, Green noted the rarity of such a situation. “I guess that doesn’t happen all the time, where the star of the show sits in with somebody trying out for a part,” he told USA Today. “But man, I’ve got to be such good friends with Luke, and it makes it so much easier to step into a world that I wasn’t necessarily comfortable in.”
From Construction Sites to the Screen
The transition to acting marked a significant departure for Green, who is accustomed to the energy of live performances in front of thousands of fans. He admitted that acting presented a different kind of challenge compared to his established music career.
“I don’t get nervous going on stage anymore,” Green shared at the “Lawmen: Bass Reeves” premiere. “I’ve played enough shows now it kind of comes naturally, but this was a completely different world, and it’s not my set, it’s not my stage.” This Hollywood venture represented another unexpected turn in a career path Green hadn’t initially envisioned.
Long before he achieved musical success, Green worked as a construction worker, framing houses. It wasn’t until he signed a record deal in 2018 that he transitioned fully to his music career, trading his tool belt for a guitar and the open road.
Gradual Success and Grounded Roots
Green expressed gratitude for the gradual nature of his rise to fame, suggesting that an earlier, more rapid ascent might have been overwhelming. “I’ve been so fortunate that my success was gradual,” he told the “CBS Mornings” hosts. “Early 20s, I don’t know if I could have handled what I’ve got going on right now, but it’s been really motivating. I’ve done it for well over 10 years now.”
He elaborated on his former profession, stating, “I was building houses for a living. And I signed a record deal in 2018 and put my tool belt up and really went on the road heavy.” The connection with audiences, hearing them sing his songs back, has been a powerful motivator. “As a songwriter, it’s so great when people are like relating to the music, and you hear them singing those songs back to you.”
Green sees a vibrant future for country music, noting its growing popularity. “When you see it growing, it just makes you want to go play more shows and keep grinding,” he said. “So it’s a really great time to be in country music because I think the genre as a whole is becoming more popular everywhere.”
A Continued Connection to Home
Since signing with Big Machine Label Group in 2018, Green has released several hit songs, including “There Was This Girl,” “I Wish Grandpas Never Died,” and “Half of Me.” Despite his growing success and unexpected ventures into acting, Green has maintained a strong connection to his roots.
He continues to reside on his farm in Alabama, choosing not to relocate permanently to Nashville. “I feel like I’ve got every reason in the world to move to Nashville, and it’s just never crossed my mind,” Green previously stated. His personal preference leans towards a simpler life: “Me in real life, I’d rather be on my bulldozer on a farm, or hunting somewhere.” This grounded perspective shapes his approach to his multifaceted career.
