Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
The country star opens up about his CMA victories, teaming up with HEYDUDE, navigating holiday madness, and gearing up for a 2026 tour.
2025 turned out to be a landmark year for Riley Green, marking the biggest year of his career yet. The country star headlined a major tour, scored several chart-topping hits, and earned multiple high-profile accolades, including three CMA Awards at last month’s ceremony. Looking ahead to 2026, Green is more determined than ever to build on his success.
Calling in from Los Angeles, Green reflected on his memorable night at the CMAs and the thrill of performing during “Country Music’s Biggest Night.”
“It’s always special to have an award show like that at the end of the year,” he said. “It’s a time to catch up with everyone and celebrate this incredible job we get to do — traveling around and playing country music. Being nominated is exciting enough, but winning three awards with Ella [Langley] was something really special. I’ve been around long enough to know that doesn’t happen very often.”
Green has now won CMA Awards in consecutive years, following a win in 2024 and three this year — a streak he doesn’t take for granted.
“I never thought I’d even be up for an award, much less win one, or three,” he admitted. “Performing at the award show itself is a huge deal, so it was an unforgettable night all around.”
Ahead of the CMAs, Green made a surprise appearance at his Nashville bar, Riley Green’s Duck Blind, performing as part of a special event celebrating his collaboration with HEYDUDE.
“That’s the best part about having your own bar in Nashville — aside from free food and drinks — you can do events like this right there,” he said. “We’ve got fans who’ve been following me for years and regulars who come to the bar. Letting them be part of something special that not everyone can access is really cool. HEYDUDE did an amazing job organizing it, and I had a blast performing right there.”
Green says partnering with HEYDUDE was an easy decision, as the shoes perfectly match his lifestyle.
“Comfy dad shoes are totally my style, so when they reached out, it was an easy yes,” he said. “I grew up going to the beach and fishing offshore, and when I have downtime, I like lounging on the farm or at the beach house. Working with a team that shares similar values and is just good people made it even better.”
The partnership might also come in handy during the holidays. “I’ve got a lot of nieces and nephews, and I think hooking them up with some HEYDUDEs for Christmas would be awesome,” Green joked.
As for holiday traditions, Green points fans toward his song Christmas To Me for a taste of what the season looks like in his family.
“That might be the most honest song I’ve ever written,” Green said, laughing as he added, “except my sister doesn’t actually have a tattoo — that’s the only part that isn’t true.”
He described his family Christmas as both chaotic and special. Just like in the song, visiting his grandma’s house usually feels “like a parking lot.”
“You run into Bass Pro Shop for a last-minute gift, forget someone, or whatever it is. Our family is so big that someone is always having some kind of emotional moment at Christmas,” he explained. “With two sisters and two girl cousins around all the time, there was plenty of drama. But growing up with such a close-knit family made it really special. I think that chaos at family gatherings is part of what makes the holidays fun and exciting.”
