Riley Green’s performance for the Big Machine 20 Concert in Downtown Nashville was everything fans could have asked for and more. The show felt like it shut down all of Broadway. But while Riley was giving fans a night to remember, he also reminded everyone how far he’s come. “A few years ago I was doing construction for a living… Now I got songs on the radio.” It was one of those moments that puts everything in perspective. Riley didn’t stop there, though. He gave credit to the people who helped make it possible: “Thank y’all for supporting country music.” Fans always deserve more recognition, and it was cool to see Riley acknowledge the ones who keep country music alive. Watch his shoutout here: @michellesmusicadventures Did you know Riley Green was a construction worker before signing with Big Machine?! Now all I can think about is him on the job site @Riley Green @Big Machine #nashville #rileygreen #countrymusic #sexy ♬ original sound – Michelle | Nashville Insider Of course, Riley’s story is anything but traditional. Back in a 2021 interview on Uncut with Jay Cutler, he admitted he never really planned on being a musician. He said he just thought it was “cool,” and if he played at a local Mexican restaurant, sometimes they would give him a free bar tab. Hard to blame him, a few free margaritas can go a long way. Riley even called his rise to fame an “accidental success.” He explained that being a country singer was never something he thought about long term: “I figured I’d be building houses my whole life.” He also opened up about coming from a working-class family, saying his dad was always busy providing for them. That kind of background makes his success feel even more meaningful. Check out the full podcast here: Fast forward to now, and Riley is selling out major venues like Red Rocks, The Rolling Hills Casino, and The Coca-Cola Amphitheatre. For someone who never thought this life was in the cards, it’s safe to say he’s living it. Being part of Big Machine’s 20th anniversary show was another huge milestone, and judging by the crowd downtown, it felt like the whole city turned out. This video shows fans packing the streets before Riley even took the stage: @mybroadwaylens Big Machine’s 20 year anniversary party, Broadway, Nashville #nashville #broadwaynashville #livemusic ♬ original sound – mybroadwaylens Big Machine brought the party, Riley Green brought the heart, and Nashville showed up in a big way. For a guy who once thought he’d spend his life building houses, this “accident” turned out just fine.The post Riley Green Thanks Country Music Fans For Changing His Life: “A Few Years Ago I Was Doing Construction” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.