Riley Green named both his grandfathers as co-writers on his hit song 'Grandpas Never Die' as a tribute to their influence.
Riley Green named both his grandfathers as co-writers on his hit song 'Grandpas Never Die' as a tribute to their influence.
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At 19:58 · chapter starts 18:00
Jacksonville, Alabama had about 8,000 people when school was in session at Jacksonville State, but Riley's actual community was even smaller — the Pleasant Valley and Williams communities, one flashing light, and a general store run by a 94-year-old named E.L. Green who doesn't charge tax and just guesses the price of things. Riley's parents were a carpenter father and schoolteacher mother, and all four grandparents lived in the same town, so he saw them every day. His granddaddy Buford turned his great-grandparents' house into an informal music hall — old-timers would come on Friday nights, play, and tell jokes, and young Riley would sit and watch how chords were made. [1] — Riley Green "Riley Green grew up with all four grandparents in the same small Alabama town. His grandfather Buford turned his great-grandparents' house …" 18:56 This tradition became 'Grandpas Never Die,' and Riley named both Buford and London as co-writers on the official song. His grandfather London got to see him play the Grand Ole Opry; Buford died in 2010 before the success came. Riley's grandmother Lola Jean is still alive — probably cutting grass right now, he says.
Riley Green grew up with all four grandparents in the same small Alabama town. His grandfather Buford turned his great-grandparents' house into a music hall where old-timers played on Friday nights. That upbringing birthed 'Grandpas Never Die,' and Riley gave both grandfathers official co-writer credits on the song.
Riley Green's grandfather Buford, a major influence on his music, died in 2010 before seeing Riley achieve any real success.
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