Riley Green has come a long way in his career, from country music star to coach on The Voice. However, there was a time when he thought things would work out very differently for him. He recently opened up about this, whether or not music would still hold a place in his life, and what he hopes to accomplish on The Voice.
Riley Green Joined Season 30 Of The Voice & Even Made His Acting Debut
Green is a country singer and songwriter. He is known for his songs including “There Was This Girl,” “I Wish Grandpas Never Died,” “Jesus Saves,” and “Worst Way.”
Since then, Green’s career has taken him many places. He joined the coaching panel of Season 30 of The Voice. In addition, he made his acting debut on Marshals, playing a former Navy SEAL, Garrett Garvey.
However, there was a time when Green thought his life would take a different direction. Years prior, he was once a college athlete, playing quarterback at Jacksonville State University.
However, Green eventually left school. In an interview with Billboard, he explained that he didn’t leave this all behind to pursue music.
As the singer explained, some people suspect otherwise, that he “busted out of school and went and made a music career.” However, explaining that, “It was nothing like that,” he shared that he needed to take time off to help his family.
Green Also Shared One Goal He Still Hopes To Accomplish
Green shared, “I was playing football, and my dad framed houses and he had back surgery, and him and his brother worked together. So, I took a semester off to go help do construction work, and I started making a little music on the weekends and I just didn’t go back.”
Green thought the construction would be his career, though he believed music would still be a part of his life. He continued, “So, I assumed I was going to frame houses for the rest of my life and play a little music on the side. And, grow a long great ponytail, which I still might do that.”
Riley Green “didn’t want to be just the country guy” on ‘The Voice.’ 🎤
He talks about becoming a mentor to the show’s contestants and more in Takes Us Out. pic.twitter.com/SCzDy6GDN1
— billboard (@billboard) September 24, 2026
At the time, Green also talked about his role on The Voice. As he noted, “I didn’t want to be just the ‘country guy’” on the show. Instead, he wants “to get all genres on my team and I want to be able to show people that I grew up listening to all kind of music,” adding that he also wants to work with all sorts of people, even if it takes him out of his comfort zone.
What is your reaction to Riley Green’s recent share? Have you been following this story? Are you keeping up with The Voice? Make sure you come back to TV Shows Ace for all the latest reality TV and celebrity news.
John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.