Life keeps Riley Green busy.
The 38-year-old country singer has been spending time on the road in Los Angeles following the release of her album “That’s Just Me” and becoming the final member of “The Voice.”
He jokes that the line from his latest album that best describes his life now is “Think like you’re drunk.”
“I feel like that most of the time,” he tells TODAY.com with a laugh. “Not from drinking, just from exhaustion.”
“It’s been a wild ride the last few years. I’ve grown so much and I’m so glad I get to do what I do,” she continues. “But a lot of other things came up along with touring, like ‘The Voice’ and flying to Los Angeles every week for filming. It’s a really new job and a new experience for me, but it was really fun to do it.”
Green still has a busy schedule for the rest of the year. But as the days grow dark and the festive season begins, the country’s superstar definitely has something on his wish list.
“We’re off for a while,” he jokes, sharing what he wants for Christmas. “If I can go home and spend some time with my family and get out in the woods in nice, cool weather, I think I’ll be really happy.”
He says having a set schedule reminds him how important it is to “spend some time on the farm” and disconnect from the outside world.
“I think the busier you are, the more you need it, and the more successful you are, the more you need it,” Green says. “I guess everyone needs to remember that you’re still just a regular guy. And I definitely remembered that when I got back to Alabama. My friends won’t let me forget.”
So every chance he gets to unwind and relax is a win in Green’s book. The “My Way” singer is doing just that as the new face of Hey Dude’s “It’s a Comfort Miracle” campaign, where she can kick off her boots and get comfy.
“I grew up in Alabama. My grandfather was a really laid-back guy, he loved to go fishing and play golf. And when I’m home, it’s kind of my break from the boots,” says Green, who shares some of his favorite ways to unwind after a hard day’s work.
“It’s mostly candy,” he says. “When I get to my farm in Alabama, I like to get on the tractor and clear or cultivate the land and plant a green patch. I like being able to see what you’ve done at the end of the day.”
Meanwhile, green supporters can relax a bit. As part of the collaboration, people can watch him in a festive sweater and comfy shoes, strumming his guitar next to a Christmas tree in his own version of a fireplace yule log.
Reflecting on the holidays, the “Worst Way” singer describes receiving a drum set as a kid as his “favorite Christmas gift.” But his most precious memory was being surrounded by his family.
“Both grandparents would come over on Christmas morning, and we would extend it by a week to visit everyone,” he says. “Having family around everyone is always something I’ve really enjoyed, and I appreciate it now probably more than ever.”
He says one tradition he would like to continue when he starts his own family is “going to Grandma’s house and opening presents.”
“And cooking,” she adds, noting her love of her mother’s breakfast casserole and sweet potato casserole.
“We used to have breakfast at my grandmother’s house. She made really good biscuits and gravy,” says Green. “I would love for my family to experience some of the home-cooked meals when I grow up and go to those family gatherings.”