By Dave Parsons
Some of his fans had busted through the gates of Country Calling, some 8 hours earlier and ran about 250 yards, most of it in the sand of Ocean City, Maryland, to secure a spot at the barricade. Riley Green closed out the entertainment on the Scoot stage on the first day of the inaugural year for the festival. They had been treated to newcomers like Ella Langley and The Red Clay Strays, as well as country legend Clint Black throughout the day, but the Green faithful were warmed up and ready by the time the last note echoed on the Jelly Roll set on the opposite end of the festival.
Many of them held signs asking if they could toss them the coveted duck call that Riley Green plays during his first song, is evidence these fans are dedicated and had seen him more than once previously. Green took the stage to an incredible roar from the crowd, as the band got things rolling with the live version of Different ‘Round Here followed by If It Wasn’t for Trucks.
Green shifted gears, welcoming and settling in for telling stories of how the songs to come came to be, or about his heroes. Half of Me, which Green had out on radio as a duet with Thomas Rhett, started a sing along, that grew louder when Green paid homage to Jamey Johnson with In Color.
At this point, about 20 minutes into his set, this set went from a solid show of hits, to one for the record books. In a tribute to the late Toby Keith, the band started the classic song, Should’ve Been a Cowboy, as Green introduced Jelly Roll for a duet. Jelly Roll had just finished his set on the other end about 20 minutes prior so this was a duet that these two really wanted to have happen.
Green continued the tribute to Toby with Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American), starting a massive sing along. A few songs later, Green introduced frequent tour partner Ella Langley, to duet on Don’t Mind If I Do, and the award nominated You Look Like You Love Me.
The band broke into the Clint Black classic Killin’ Time, as Black walked on stage to sing with Green, to the absolute delight of the crowd. Green finished the set off with Worse Way and I Wish Grandpas Never Died.
In an age when setlists are rarely deviated from, and surprise collaborations on stage are pre planned and rehearsed, it was so refreshing to see Green’s set. Langley has been opening his shows and doing the duets for most of the year, but the duets with Jelly Roll and Clint Black were obviously not rehearsed and sounded great.
The show as a whole, with an incredibly tight band and graphics and pictures on the screen that enhanced the songs more, was one for the memory books and sure to be cherished, especially by those fans who stood in the sun on the beach all day, to get to see Riley Green.
Riley Green Setlist:
1.) Different ‘Round Here
2.) If It Wasn’t for Trucks
3.) Half of Me
4.) In Color
5.) Should’ve Been a Cowboy (Toby Keith cover) (with Jelly Roll)
6.) Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)
7.) Georgia Time
8.) When She Comes Home Tonight
9.) Jesus Saves
10.) Don’t Mind If I Do (with Ella Langley)
11.) You Look Like You Love Me (with Ella Langley)
12.) Killin’ Time (with Clint Black)
13.) Worst Way
14.) I Wish Grandpas Never Died
