Riley Green brought his recent No. 1 single, “Change My Mind,” to CMA Fest. Green was not only a performer, but he also hosted the TV special, CMA Fest Presented by SoFi, alongside Good Morning America‘s Lara Spencer.
“Performing at CMA Fest is such a big deal,” Green tells the Country Music Association. “And obviously, getting to play at Nissan [Stadium], it’s something you grow up dreaming about doing. I don’t think I ever grew up dreaming about hosting. I think that’s something that’s – I hope I didn’t bite off more than I can chew. But I’m excited about being able to have a part in the festival, and being able to interview some of the other artists I’m friends with, and fans of. It will be a good time.”
Green performed several of his other hits, including “My Way,” “Different ‘Round Here,” “I Wish Grandpas Never Died,” and more.
“There should be a lot of beers up in the air and maybe some tears,” Green says of his expectation for his concerts. “I think that’s always the judge for me is, if I can have people holding their beer up and crying in the same show, it’s a good set.”
Riley Green Joins Carly Pearce on Live Version of “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay”
Green also joined Carly Pearce in singing their “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay” duet. A live version of the song is out now. Green has already done two duets with Ella Langley, both “You Look Like You Love Me” and “Don’t Mind If Do.” But when Pearce asked Green to join her on another song, it was an easy yes.
“I’ve been a huge fan of Carly and her voice for a long time, so it was cool to get the text from her about this song,” Green says. “The harmonies were unique and there was something really different about it. I’m glad she thought of me for this song. It’s awesome to get to do something together.”
“If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay” is part of Pearce’s new Honest Woman album, which will be available on August 28.
The Story Behind Riley Green’s “Change My Mind”
“Change My Mind” is written by Green, along with Erik Dylan and Randy Montana. The song is on Green’s Don’t Mind If I Do album.
“Change My Mind” says in part, “Show up in a midnight sundress / Burn me up with a whiskey kiss / Look at me with them pretty brown eyes / And tell me lies just to change my mind / You know I’m giving in, so go ahead / Do it, baby, like you’ve done a thousand times / Change my mind.” But Green says that the song could have been even more suggestive than the final product.
“The lyrics that don’t make it into the songs are where we went too far,” Green explains. “So, we usually go there, and then we backtrack to a place where we think maybe somebody won’t be offended. But to a certain extent, ‘Worst Way’ is a pretty direct song. And it’s done really well for me, so I guess we don’t shy away from it too much.”
Photo Credit: CMA / Natasha Moustache