Riley Green is the first act announced by the The Chamber, Gadsden/Etowah County as the opening act for the 29th annual Riverfest, which is scheduled for June 13-14, 2014. Green will perform on Friday at 5 p.m. on the main stage.
A love for making people feel at home and entertained is what motivates Riley Green to write songs and perform every time he gets a chance. Born in Jacksonville, Al. on Oct. 18, 1988, Riley is the youngest of three children and has always been the entertainer of the family.
Riley started playing guitar at age 10 and started writing music at age 14. He wrote his first song in 2007. "Escalade", "Dream Girl", and "Sandy Beaches", like many of his early songs, were inspired by a young man's quest to get girls.
One of Riley's most inspiring songs, "God was in Bama This Year", was written about his experiences and observations following the April 27th, 2011 tornados that ravaged Alabama. Many people identified with the song, and Riley performed it at home dedications and memorial services during the following years.
Riley spent many days and nights playing guitar and singing with his grandfather, Bufford Green, who opened a music hall in 2003, where the music goes from the bar room to the pulpit and back each Friday night. He taught Riley a love for old traditional country, bluegrass and gospel music. Riley performed at the Golden Saw Music Hall, singing songs like "Wreck on the Highway", and "Precious Jewel "by Roy Acuff with his grandfather and other men of his generation. "My Best Friend" was written as a tribute to his grandfather and his influence on Riley's life and music. He wrote "Line in the Water" about fishing with his other grandfather who also influenced him with his ability to truly relax and enjoy life.
Many of Riley's next songs reflect the experiences of a southern boy as he finds his place in the world. With a mixture of rebellion and respect for tradition, Riley combined these values to create his own style. "A Little Hank" and "Almost" reflect the battle of values in southern society and what his grandfather referred to as "the fine line between Saturday night and Sunday morning." Riley has played a variety of venues for the past two years, including locations in Jacksonville, Gadsden, Centre, Birmingham, Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Gulf Shores, Al, Panama City, Fl. and Nashville, TN.
Riley always found time for music even though he was a three sport athlete in high school and a walk-on quarterback at Jacksonville State University. Riley is a serious outdoorsman who enjoys duck and turkey hunting. He and his dog Sadie enjoy spending time at his primitive hunting cabins in Jacksonville and Arkansas.
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