Riley Green, the gravel-voiced Alabama native who’s been steadily climbing country’s charts, is soaking in the glow of his biggest year yet. With four nominations for the 2025 Country Music Association Awards—including nods for Single, Song, and Music Video of the Year tied to his duet “You Look Like You Love Me” with Ella Langley—the 37-year-old singer-songwriter admits the honor feels surreal. “It’s never something you really expect,” Green told Country Now in a recent interview. “I always think about things as just a fan of country music because it’s not too long ago that I was, you know. And you see the names that are mentioned in winnin’ these awards… I’m excited to have it lifted up there with all these other great songs and collaborations.” As the CMAs approach on November 19 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Green’s humility stands out in a genre often accused of glossing over its blue-collar roots. Hosted by Lainey Wilson and broadcast live on ABC, the show promises a mix of high-energy performances and heartfelt tributes, with Green set to belt out his recent No. 1 hit “Worst Way.”

Green’s nominations mark a career high, building on a 2024 that saw him snag his first CMA nod for Musical Event of the Year for the same Langley collab. That track, a flirty barroom anthem blending Green’s smooth drawl with Langley’s fiery edge, has become a staple—topping Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and racking up over 200 million Spotify streams. It’s up against stiff competition: Post Malone and Blake Shelton’s “Pour Me a Drink” in Single of the Year, and Zach Bryan’s “I Remember Everything” in Song. Yet Green’s haul feels like validation after years of grinding. “Being nominated is something that’s just validating as a songwriter and a performer,” he reflected last year, a sentiment that echoes louder now. The duet’s momentum carried over from the Academy of Country Music Awards in May, where it swept Music Event, Visual Media, and Single honors, proving its crossover appeal in an era where duets drive radio play.

Hailing from Jacksonville, Alabama, Green grew up steeped in Southern traditions—hunting, fishing, and fronting a cover band called The Staggers at local dives. He traded college football dreams for music after a knee injury, self-releasing his debut EP “Ain’t My Last Rodeo” in 2013. Signed to BMLG Records in 2018, his breakthrough came with “There Was This Girl,” a nostalgic breakup tune that hit No. 1 and earned Platinum certification. Hits like “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” followed, cementing his rep as country’s everyman poet. But 2025 has been explosive: His third album, “Ain’t My Last Rodeo Vol. 2,” dropped in April, featuring raw tracks like “May We Never Lose Our Fear of Flying” that nod to influences from Eric Church to Jason Isbell. Touring wise, he’s wrapping a packed 2025 slate with stops in Oklahoma City, Little Rock, and Las Vegas before kicking off 2026 at Mexico’s Crash My Playa fest alongside Luke Bryan.

The CMA nods aren’t Green’s only spotlight this fall. He’ll share the Bridgestone stage with a murderers’ row: Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton debuting their duet “A Song to Sing,” Kenny Chesney marking his Country Music Hall of Fame induction, and rising stars like Zach Top and Shaboozey. Green’s “Worst Way” slot—a brooding confessional about love’s messy side—fits the night’s theme of resilience, joining Patty Loveless’ rare appearance and Brandi Carlile’s soulful set. “A lot of moments stand out this year… it just makes you more excited about the next year of touring,” Green said, eyeing his 2026 Damn Country Music Tour with Langley as opener. That run, hitting arenas from coast to coast, sold out presales in minutes, underscoring his fanbase’s loyalty.

What sets Green apart in Nashville’s crowded field? Authenticity. While pop-infused acts dominate streaming, Green’s sound—rooted in steel guitar twang and front-porch storytelling—resonates with traditionalists. Critics hail him as a bridge between outlaw grit and modern polish; American Songwriter called “You Look Like You Love Me” a “masterclass in chemistry.” His offstage life mirrors the music: A avid outdoorsman, he’s donated proceeds from tracks like “If It Wasn’t for Trucks” to Wounded Warrior Project and Alabama conservation efforts. No scandals, no gimmicks—just a guy who once worked construction gigs between gigs, now headlining amphitheaters.

The broader CMA landscape reflects country’s evolution. Women like Wilson, Moroney, and Langley lead with six nods apiece, a shift from male-heavy years past. Snubs stung—Jelly Roll overlooked in Entertainer despite his arena-packing tours, Bailey Zimmerman absent despite viral hits—but surprises like BigXthaPlug’s collab with Luke Combs on “Pray Hard” highlight hip-hop’s growing footprint. Morgan Wallen, the reigning Entertainer, eyes a repeat amid controversy, while Zach Top’s five nods for his debut “Cold Beer & Country Music” signal fresh blood. Green’s four put him in elite company, though he downplays it: “Thrown in with that is always a big deal.”

Social media buzz amplifies the hype. #RileyGreenCMA trended post-nominations, with fans flooding TikTok with “Worst Way” covers and throwback clips from his Red Rocks debut this year—a bucket-list show for the self-proclaimed “country boy.” One viral thread dissected his setlist evolution, from early covers of Alan Jackson to originals that tackle loss and longing. Streams for “You Look Like You Love Me” spiked 25% after the noms, per Luminate data, proving awards still move the needle.

Looking ahead, Green’s plate is full. Post-CMAs, he’ll film visuals for upcoming singles and tease Vol. 3 of his rodeo series. Collaborations simmer—rumors swirl of a full project with Langley, whose “You Look Like You Love Me” follow-up “Choosin’ Texas” snagged its own CMA Video nod. Philanthropy remains core; his Riley Green Foundation just pledged $100,000 to rural Alabama schools for music programs. “Music’s my therapy,” he’s said, echoing peers like Stapleton. Wins or not, these nods affirm his trajectory—from club opener to awards contender.

In an industry chasing algorithms, Green’s rise feels organic, a reminder that country’s pulse beats in heartfelt hooks and humble origins. As he preps for Bridgestone—family in tow, per tradition—the excitement is palpable. “I had my whole family there” for Red Rocks, he shared; expect similar vibes under the CMA lights. Whether clutching hardware or not, Green’s already lifted up, carrying fans along for the ride. For ticket holders and couch viewers alike, his story’s just heating up—a testament to persistence in Music City’s unforgiving glow.