Riley Green Brings “Worst Way” to Life at the 59th Annual CMA Awards
Riley Green brought undeniable heat to the CMA Awards stage on Wednesday night with a smoldering performance of his chart-topping single, “Worst Way.” The country star delivered a dynamic rendition that showcased both his signature vocal grit and the heartfelt storytelling that continues to define his rising career.
Earlier this year, “Worst Way” became Green’s fifth No. 1 hit and made history in the process — becoming only the second song since 2012 to top the Billboard Country Airplay chart as a track solely written by the performing artist. The achievement also placed Green among an elite group, making him just the sixth solo artist in the last twenty years to hit No. 1 entirely on his own songwriting.
Performing live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Green lit up the stage with the confident ease of a seasoned entertainer. The moment was especially meaningful for him, as he reflected backstage:
“I mean, it’s something you grew up watching… being able to go to these award shows, be nominated, and get to perform — it’s such a cool thing.”
Before taking the stage, Green also laughed about the possibility of recreating the steamy scenes from the “Worst Way” music video: “It would be hard to top that one… my mom’s gonna watch.”
A Night of Milestones
This year proved to be a standout chapter in Green’s career. Alongside fellow Alabama native Ella Langley, he scored four CMA nominations, including Single, Song, and Music Video of the Year for their smash hit “You Look Like You Love Me.” He and Langley were also nominated for Musical Event of the Year for their collaboration “Don’t Mind If I Do.”
The celebrations started early for Green — he had already clinched a win for Music Video of the Year that same morning for “You Look Like You Love Me.”
A Star-Studded CMA Lineup
Hosted by Lainey Wilson, the 59th Annual CMA Awards featured an impressive roster of performers, including Keith Urban, Luke Combs, Megan Moroney, Kelsea Ballerini, The Red Clay Strays, Chris Stapleton, and many more. Collaborative performances included standout pairings like Luke Combs with BigXthaPlug, Shaboozey with Stephen Wilson Jr., and Chris Stapleton with Miranda Lambert.
Special guests such as Lady A, Lauren Daigle, Steve Martin, Alan Ritchson, Gretchen Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman also graced the stage throughout the night.
The full broadcast is now available for next-day streaming on Hulu.