Riley Green at the 2026 AMAs: The Faith Behind the Cowboy Hat

Riley Green walked onto the American Music Awards stage Monday night for the first time - cowboy hat, short-sleeve button-down, guitar in hand - and earned a standing ovation for "Worst Way," his multi-Platinum country hit.

It was his AMA debut. And if it was your first introduction to him, it is worth knowing what is underneath the surface.

Who is Riley Green

Riley Green is from Jacksonville, Alabama. He grew up hunting, fishing, and going to church - and none of that is performance. It is biography. He worked construction jobs before his first record deal. He has been direct about the fact that his faith in Jesus shaped his path long before the music industry did.

In a candid podcast interview on God's Country, Green reflected openly on how his faith has guided both his career and his personal life - including the moments when the industry pressure to perform a certain image ran against who he actually was.

He did not abandon either.

The Song

"Worst Way" is a slow-burning country ballad that Green wrote himself. It reached No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart in June 2025 - his first solo No. 1. It is built on minimal production: a simple drum beat, twangy guitar, and a vocal that does not try to impress. It just delivers.

At the AMAs, Green performed it in front of a warm, western backdrop with a full band - and members of the military in the audience for the Memorial Day broadcast were among those on their feet by the end.

What Else to Know

Green is also a breakout actor. In 2026 he made his television debut on the CBS series Marshals, playing a former Navy SEAL named Garrett. He chose to perform his own song "My Way" on the show because the lyrics reflected his character's story.

He is also currently out with a new duet alongside Carly Pearce - "If I Don't Leave I'm Gonna Stay," released March 2026 - continuing a run of collaborations that have kept him on country radio for two straight years.

Riley Green is the real deal. And Monday night, a new audience just found out. 

Related Article: Riley Green Won at the ACMs, Sang on The Voice Stage, and People Are Curious About His Roots