Riley Green’s First Grand Ole Opry Memories Involve His Grandpa, Roy Acuff and a Computer
Riley Green, who recently made his Grand Ole Opry debut in December at the historic Ryman Auditorium, is part of the next class of Opry superstars. Along with fellow young performers Tenille Townes, Travis Denning and Tegan Marie, Green is a member of the Opry NextStage Class of 2019; the program will back the up-and-comers' careers and guarantee shows on multiple Opry-owned stages.
For the NextStage's launch, the four rising country acts played a show at Blake Shelton's Ole Red on Lower Broadway in Nashville. Green soaked in the moment and, to The Boot, reflected on what it means for him to be a part of the program before the show began.
"I feel like anytime that I’ve played in Nashville, it always feels like a big deal to me, because it’s Nashville, it’s Music City," Green says. "Playing something that has to do with the Grand Ole Opry is that much more of a big deal."
Though his Grand Ole Opry debut came just over a month ago, his first Opry memories come from a tender place: his grandfather, beloved fiddler and singer Roy Acuff, and an (ancient) computer.
"My grandaddy was a big Roy Acuff fan. I can remember watching him when computers came out -- we had to get him a computer because he was so excited about being able to pull up videos on YouTube and watch these old singers from his day," Green remembers. "That was my first memories of the Opry."
As for the future, Green will be racking up more Opry-related memories. He also he has new singles, more tour dates and an album coming in 2019.
"We’re gonna be putting a song out early this year, then a couple more songs out a little later, then we’re gonna put out my first full-length record out, so that’s one thing I’m pretty excited about. We’re done with my record," Green says. "Beyond that, it’s just gonna be playing a lot of shows."
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