Clint Black Presents Riley Green With Hitmaker Award at Billboard Country Power Players Event in Nashville
By Website Content Manager
The recognition serves as motivation for Green to continue writing new music and performing live on the road.
Clint Black presented Riley Green with the Hitmaker Award during the Billboard Country Power Players event, held on Wednesday, June 3, at The Eye Rooftop at Category 10 in Nashville.
Green, who was featured as the cover artist for Billboard’s Country Power Players issue, attended the ceremony to accept the honor from Black—an artist he has admired for many years.
During the event, Black praised Green’s artistry, describing his music as deeply rooted in traditional country. He also expressed admiration for Green’s songwriting abilities.
Upon receiving the award, Green said the recognition serves as encouragement to continue developing his career. He explained that being acknowledged in this way gives him added confidence to keep writing songs and performing live for audiences.
The Alabama-born singer also dedicated the honor to his late grandfather, Buford, noting his deep love for country music. Green has previously paid tribute to both of his grandfathers in his song “I Wish Grandpas Never Died.”
Reflecting on his upbringing, Green shared that he was surrounded by strong role models. He also recalled a recent emotional moment when his grandmother, Lola Jean, attended one of his sold-out shows in Atlanta. She told him she wished his late grandfather could have witnessed his success, a sentiment Green said makes him feel his grandfather is still watching over him.
Green’s week at CMA Fest was packed with major milestones. After the Billboard event, the award-winning singer-songwriter went on to host CMA Fest and later closed out the festival with a standout performance on Sunday.
On the charts, Green also achieved his seventh No. 1 hit at country radio with “Change My Mind,” a song he co-wrote with Erik Dylan and Randy Montana. The track explores the emotional tension of trying to leave a relationship that still holds a strong emotional pull.