In a world that is becoming increasingly political, Riley Green is trying to make his shows a safe haven. The country singer is doing everything he can to keep his live events as apolitical as possible. In a recent interview with Billboard, Green explained why he keeps music and politics completely separate.
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"I mean, the simplest way I can put it is, if somebody calls me and wants me to come play a festival and financially it makes sense, then I'm probably gonna go do it," Riley said. "I don't ask a lot of questions beyond that. Rock the Country sounds like a fun festival, I've certainly played all over the country, and now several other countries, and I don't see any benefit in me making anything political as far as where I go play at."
Riley then continued by explaining that he believes fans go to concerts to escape their everyday lives and problems.
"I think people go to concerts to try and get away from their everyday problems and enjoy country music," he continued. "So I think I should kind of look at it the same way. I think people that are very, for lack of a better term, preachy, as far as their beliefs or political sidings or whatever on the stage, seem to me, they come off as somebody that thinks they're the smartest person in the room, and I've never thought that about myself."
Riley Green Just Wants His Fans To Have Fun
Later in the conversation, Riley admitted that when fans come to his shows, they're doing so to have fun. That's why he always tries to keep politics out of the equation, both in his show and the festivals he works.
"I think that when people come to my show, they're coming to have a good time and step away from whatever stresses they have in their life, and that's my job to entertain them," he said. "My granddaddy Buford was one of the best in the world, he wanted everybody around him to feel comfortable and welcome, and I learned a lot from watching him run that little music hall we had out there in Pleasant Valley. Again, it's my job just to make sure everybody has a good time."
Riley's interview with Billboard was also done to promote his new song "Think As You Drunk" and to promote his new album That's Just Me. Given his outlook on music and fun, it's safe to assume both the song and the album are going to be a massive success.
