Nashville’s New Year’s Eve celebration has always been a spectacle, but ringing in 2026 was something special. Country star Riley Green, donning his signature cowboy hat and a wide grin, took the stage at Music City Bar and Grill as part of CBS’s five-hour "New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash" on December 31, 2025, and delivered a rousing performance that had the crowd singing along from the very first note. According to American Songwriter, Green kicked off his set with a spirited rendition of Toby Keith’s patriotic anthem, "Courtesy Of The Red White And Blue," before treating fans to his own hit single, "Worst Way." The energy was palpable, with the audience joining in chorus, their voices echoing through the venue and out into a city buzzing with celebration.
Green’s performance was just one highlight in a night packed with country music’s biggest names. Headliners Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman took to the main stage at Bicentennial Park, while CeCe Winans and the Fisk Jubilee Singers offered soulful interludes. Elsewhere in Nashville, stars like Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, and Stephen Wilson Jr. performed at venues across the city, keeping the music going well into the early hours of 2026. Over at Category 10, Dwight Yoakam and Marcus King entertained the official watch party, joined by special guests Cody Alan and Caylee Hammack. The entire event was steered by hosts Bert Kreischer and Hardy, with appearances from comedian Dusty Slay, Entertainment Tonight’s Cassie DiLaura, Sirius XM host Buzz Brainard, and UFC champion Kayla Harrison, making it a true cross-section of entertainment, as reported by American Songwriter.
But for Riley Green, the new year isn’t just about one night’s performance. The Alabama native has a packed calendar for 2026, and fans have plenty to look forward to. In a September 2025 interview with Billboard, Green revealed his plans to hit the studio in the fall and release new music leading up to his much-anticipated Cowboy As It Gets Tour. "We’re going to go into the studio this fall and probably release new music between now and then and then try to have the whole album out around the time the tour starts," he explained. Green’s approach is simple: he loves testing new material on the road, letting the crowd decide what sticks. "It’s so great to be able to play the songs on the road and see what songs raise their hands [as potential singles]… [Fans] will let you know if it’s one they like. They’ll sing it louder than the others."
The Cowboy As It Gets Tour kicks off April 16 in Southaven, Mississippi, and will see Green crisscrossing the country through August 22, wrapping up in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The tour will visit 20 arenas and amphitheaters, including a milestone for Green: his first headline show at Nashville’s iconic Bridgestone Arena on April 18. The tour’s supporting acts are a who’s who of modern country, with Justin Moore, Drake White, Mackenzie Carpenter, Hannah McFarland, Adam Hood, and Zach John King joining Green on select dates, as detailed by Music Mayhem Magazine. Each show promises a blend of classics and fresh tracks—including songs from his 2024 album, Don’t Mind If I Do—plus new material fans will be eager to learn.
Music, however, isn’t the only thing on Green’s mind for 2026. In a conversation with Country Now, he revealed he’ll make his acting debut in the coming year, though details remain under wraps. "I’ll just guess I’m allowed to say that I have done some acting, and it’s a show, and it’s going to be airing sometime fairly soon," Green shared, keeping fans guessing about the project’s title or network. He admitted to some nerves, but said, "Everybody was really great to work with, and it’s not always like that from what little bit of film stuff I’ve done, which is music videos and commercials and things like that. It really helps a lot when you feel comfortable there. And I did as soon as I got on set… it just happened so fast that I didn’t really have time to get nervous, and so I was just kind of, the scene was done, and I was like, ‘okay, well I guess it was all right.’ They didn’t yell at me or yell ‘cut’ or anything, but it was a lot of fun."
Green’s commitment to his family and fans is just as strong as his devotion to his craft. Over the holidays, he made headlines for an especially generous gesture: gifting his parents a brand-new RV as the grand prize at his second annual Christmas costume party. According to Wide Open Country, Green’s parents took home the camper by dressing as Ralphie’s parents from the beloved film A Christmas Story. His mother expressed her gratitude on Instagram, writing, "We won the GRAND PRIZE at the 2nd annual RG Christmas costume party! Thank you @rileyduckman for the generous and thoughtful surprise! This is definitely one way to get us off of your bus! We are ready to hit the road!" Green, never one to miss a joke, replied, “Don’t shoot your eye out,” referencing the film’s famous line. It’s the kind of holiday spirit that endears Green to his fans—and his family.
While Green’s professional life is full of excitement, his personal life remains a subject of speculation. As of January 1, 2026, he confirmed he’s single, addressing the constant swirl of relationship rumors during an appearance on Westwood One’s Country Nights With Bev Rainey. "I find out who I’m dating weekly on social media," he joked. Despite persistent rumors linking him to fellow artists Ella Langley and Megan Moroney, Green made it clear there’s no romance—just great music and camaraderie. "I’m not (dating anyone)," he said. "I’m rumored to have dated a lot of people. I kind of understand that. People always long for that Tim and Faith, Johnny and June, George and Tammy thing. Me and Ella have two giant songs together, and I think fans want to believe that what you’re singing about is real."
Green’s chemistry with collaborators is undeniable, especially with Langley, with whom he performed at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest on June 5, 2025. Their duet, "You Look Like You Love Me," fueled plenty of speculation, but both artists have denied any romantic involvement. Meanwhile, Green’s own single "Worst Way"—named one of the 10 Best Country Songs of Summer 2025 by Taste of Country—continues to climb the charts, its steamy lyrics and infectious melody only adding fuel to the rumor mill. Still, Green seems unfazed, focusing on his music, his fans, and the road ahead.
With a blockbuster New Year’s Eve performance behind him, a major tour ahead, new music on the horizon, and a foray into acting, Riley Green is poised for a banner year. Whether he’s gifting RVs, shutting down relationship rumors, or lighting up the stage, Green’s star is only getting brighter in 2026.
