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“1,000,000 VIEWS IN JUST ONE HOUR… AND EVERYONE UNDERSTOOD WHY.” Nashville thought they were about to hear just another solid performance, but Riley Green walked out and blew every expectation to pieces. From the first line of “Worst Way,” his voice cracked, pushed, and then lifted like he was emptying his whole life into that mic. The arena went still, almost holding its breath with him. The cameras caught Keith Urban freezing in place, whispering “oh my God” as that final note shook the entire room. Online? Pure chaos. The clip is shooting past a million views an hour, and everyone’s arguing the same question: “Did Riley Green just level up tonight?” It sure feels like Nashville already knows the answer. 😳

Riley Green Ignites the CMA Awards Stage With a Powerful Performance of “Worst Way”

Riley Green brought his self-penned hit “Worst Way” to life on the CMA Awards stage, delivering a performance that showcased the confidence and charisma of an artist fully hitting his stride. Live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 19, Green proved why the song has resonated so strongly with fans across the country.

Riley Green performing at the 59th Annual CMA Awards, live from Bridgestone Arena
Riley Green performs live at the 59th Annual CMA Awards. Photo Courtesy CMA.

Earlier this year, “Worst Way” became Green’s fifth career No. 1 hit and made modern chart history. The track is only the second song written solely by its performing artist to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart since 2012. With that milestone, Green joined a remarkably small group—just six solo artists in the last twenty years who have achieved the feat.

Riley Green CMA Awards 2025 performance photo
Riley Green during his standout CMA Awards performance. Photo Courtesy CMA.

Speaking backstage with Country Now, Green shared his excitement about the night, calling the experience “going to be great.” When asked whether he had plans to recreate the steamy visuals from the “Worst Way” music video, he laughed off the idea. “It would be hard to top that one… my mom’s gonna watch,” he joked, referring to the flirtatious scenes fans have replayed countless times.

As someone who grew up watching the CMA Awards long before stepping onto its stage, Green expressed deep gratitude for not only being invited but also receiving multiple nominations. “It’s something you grow up watching, and still being a big fan of country music… it’s such a cool thing to go to these award shows, be nominated, and get to perform,” he told Country Now.

Four CMA Nominations and a Big Win

Green earned four nominations this year. He and fellow Alabama native Ella Langley were nominated for Single, Song, and Music Video of the Year for their hit collaboration “You Look Like You Love Me.” The duo also earned a nomination for Musical Event of the Year for their track “Don’t Mind If I Do.”

On the morning of the awards ceremony, Green was already celebrating a major victory: he and Langley secured the Music Video of the Year award for “You Look Like You Love Me.”

A Star-Packed Night at the 59th Annual CMA Awards

Hosted by Lainey Wilson, the 59th Annual CMA Awards aired live on ABC and featured an impressive list of performers. The lineup included Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Luke Combs, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Tucker Wetmore, Stephen Wilson Jr., Kelsea Ballerini, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Patty Loveless, Old Dominion, The Red Clay Strays, and Chris Stapleton.

Riley Green performing at the 59th Annual CMA Awards 2025 - photo courtesy CMA
Riley Green takes the CMA stage by storm. Photo Courtesy CMA.

The evening also highlighted several standout collaborative performances, including Luke Combs with BigXthaPlug, Shaboozey with Stephen Wilson Jr., and Chris Stapleton with Miranda Lambert.

A long list of presenters and special guests rounded out the show, including Lady A, Alison Brown, Jessica Capshaw, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lauren Daigle, Jordan Davis, Elizabeth Hurley, Cody Johnson, Bert Kreischer, Brandon Lake, Ella Langley, Steve Martin, Leanne Morgan, NE-YO, Chris O’Donnell, Kimberly Perry, LeAnn Rimes, Alan Ritchson, Lara Spencer, Billy Bob Thornton, Grace Van Patten, Gretchen Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman.

With a show-stopping performance, multiple nominations, and a major win already under his belt, Riley Green’s presence at this year’s CMA Awards confirmed what his fans have known for years — he is one of country music’s brightest rising stars, and he’s only getting stronger.

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“20 YEARS OF SINGING TOGETHER… YET ONLY ONE MOMENT EVER MADE THEM CRY.” There was a strange kind of stillness when Vince Gill and Patty Loveless stepped into the light — like the room already sensed something real was coming. Vince’s voice trembled a little as he whispered, almost to himself, “Every time I sing with her… it feels like I’m telling a story I’ve carried my whole life.” And then the music started — not loud, not flashy, just two souls meeting in a place only they could reach. Patty answered with that warm, Appalachian softness that makes people forget to breathe. By the final note, fans were wiping away tears they never meant to cry.

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“HE SANG LIKE A MAN WHO KNEW WHAT EVERY WORD COST.” Riley Green didn’t just play a song that night — he lit up Windy City Smokeout like only he can. The crowd was loud, already buzzing, but everything shifted the second First Lieutenant Jackson Perkins stepped beside him. They eased into “In Color,” and suddenly the whole place felt different. Softer. Heavier. You could see people stop mid-sentence, hands resting on their chest as those two voices blended like they’d lived the same stories. Every note carried pride. Every line felt personal. And for a moment, 90,000 strangers breathed as one. It wasn’t just a performance. It was one of those rare nights you don’t forget — even if you try.

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“THEY’RE BACK AT CMA 2025… AND THIS TIME ALL EYES ARE ON THEM.” Last year, Ella Langley and Riley Green stepped onto the CMA stage like two familiar strangers — nobody expected much, and then the whole room shot to its feet when they launched into “You Look Like You Love Me.” That moment exploded online, pulling in more than 12 million views in just a few days, and no one forgot the way they looked at each other under that warm gold light. This year feels different. They’re no longer the pair who got “invited up for a surprise.” They’re walking back in with big nominations, real wins, and a wave of fans cheering them on. Now everyone’s wondering: will they repeat last year’s magic… or create something even bigger?

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Country Music

“20 YEARS OF SINGING TOGETHER… YET ONLY ONE MOMENT EVER MADE THEM CRY.” There was a strange kind of stillness when Vince Gill and Patty Loveless stepped into the light — like the room already sensed something real was coming. Vince’s voice trembled a little as he whispered, almost to himself, “Every time I sing with her… it feels like I’m telling a story I’ve carried my whole life.” And then the music started — not loud, not flashy, just two souls meeting in a place only they could reach. Patty answered with that warm, Appalachian softness that makes people forget to breathe. By the final note, fans were wiping away tears they never meant to cry.

Country Music

“1,000,000 VIEWS IN JUST ONE HOUR… AND EVERYONE UNDERSTOOD WHY.” Nashville thought they were about to hear just another solid performance, but Riley Green walked out and blew every expectation to pieces. From the first line of “Worst Way,” his voice cracked, pushed, and then lifted like he was emptying his whole life into that mic. The arena went still, almost holding its breath with him. The cameras caught Keith Urban freezing in place, whispering “oh my God” as that final note shook the entire room. Online? Pure chaos. The clip is shooting past a million views an hour, and everyone’s arguing the same question: “Did Riley Green just level up tonight?” It sure feels like Nashville already knows the answer. 😳

Country Music

“HE SANG LIKE A MAN WHO KNEW WHAT EVERY WORD COST.” Riley Green didn’t just play a song that night — he lit up Windy City Smokeout like only he can. The crowd was loud, already buzzing, but everything shifted the second First Lieutenant Jackson Perkins stepped beside him. They eased into “In Color,” and suddenly the whole place felt different. Softer. Heavier. You could see people stop mid-sentence, hands resting on their chest as those two voices blended like they’d lived the same stories. Every note carried pride. Every line felt personal. And for a moment, 90,000 strangers breathed as one. It wasn’t just a performance. It was one of those rare nights you don’t forget — even if you try.

Country Music

“THEY’RE BACK AT CMA 2025… AND THIS TIME ALL EYES ARE ON THEM.” Last year, Ella Langley and Riley Green stepped onto the CMA stage like two familiar strangers — nobody expected much, and then the whole room shot to its feet when they launched into “You Look Like You Love Me.” That moment exploded online, pulling in more than 12 million views in just a few days, and no one forgot the way they looked at each other under that warm gold light. This year feels different. They’re no longer the pair who got “invited up for a surprise.” They’re walking back in with big nominations, real wins, and a wave of fans cheering them on. Now everyone’s wondering: will they repeat last year’s magic… or create something even bigger?