7 Things We Learned About Riley Green From His ‘Billboard’ Cover Story

Riley Green's success over the last few years has been nothing short of up and to the right.

And while his music has a lot to do with that — ahem, and perhaps his looks — it's his character that has sustained him.

"If this had happened to me when I was 22, it would have been mayhem," he tells Billboard in his cover story.

"Just the level of maturity it takes to have this much attention on you is pretty tough, and I still don't know every day that I have enough."

Keeping a level head on his shoulders is something we admire about Green, and in his sit down with Billboard we learned a few other things that make us love him even more.

Riley Geen Spent a Lot of Time With His Grandparents Growing Up

Growing up in Jacksonville, Ala., Green spent a lot of time with his family and says he saw his grandparents every day. Being around them has taught him a greater level of respect and manners.

"I was just brought up to know how to treat people and how to talk to people [with] a certain level of respect," he explains. "My granddaddy Buford used to give me and my cousins handshake competitions when we were kids."

Riley Green Is Close With His Family... Like, Really Close

In addition to spending time with his grandparents, Green says he is really close to his parents. In fact, they have been known to join him on tour — with some boundaries.

Although they are at his shows, they have their own travel arrangements, which he says is a new development.

“I bought them a camper this year because I’m really nice, but also so they wouldn’t ride my bus so much,” he explains.

“They just jump on it and they don’t really ask. My mom leaves a lot of stuff on there. She didn’t realize that’s where I live… That space on the bus where I can go and relax and disconnect from everything, it’s become more important than I ever realized.”

His Farm in Alabama Is Getting Quite Large and Crowded

Maintaining a closeness with his family is important to Green, not just because they are his kin, but because they care for his farm when he's not around.

And it sounds like it's a lot of work.

While the acreage continues to grow, so does the number of residents.

According to Billboard, Green's list of farm critters includes chickens, roosters, turkeys, goats, pigs, cows and horses.

"It keeps everybody occupied," he shares.

Riley Green Has Thought About Becoming a Father Quite a Bit

"I think about it a lot," he confesses, while also admitting the issues that come with starting a family at the height of his career.

"At this point in my life, I don't know how I could do it," he explains. "So things are going to have to slow down and get a little more of a sense of normalcy before I could really think about settling down and having a family."

And, ever the songwriter, he sees the benefit of becoming a dad musically.

"But it's something I'd like to do, and I'm somewhat excited about where my songwriting would go with that much of a change in my life, too."

He Feels Pressure to Honor Those Who Invested In Him Early On

While he's got the support of his family, he recognizes that there were people who bought into Riley Green before he was Riley Green.

He wants to do well by them, and that goes beyond just being successful with his music.

"Everybody from Alabama put me on their shoulders when I was playing shows around the state,” he shares. “And then when I kind of made it, they were like, ‘This is our guy.’ If I go out and act a fool, that’s who I’m representing.

He Doesn't Go To Other Artists' Shows... For a Good Reason

Don't expect Green to be sitting in the suites at another person's show any time soon.

While his fame continues to grow, he's very aware of how his presence could outshine someone else.

"I can't go to another show because I wouldn't want to cause somebody to be paying attention to me when somebody's on stage performing," he confesses.

Becoming more recognizable has also caused him to shy away from public appearances with his family, saying he doesn't want "to take away from somebody else's evening by causing some kind of ruckus."

His Acting Career Is Just Getting Started

Fans were delighted to see Green take on a role in the show Marshals, and heartbroken when his time came to an end after four episodes.

However, the country hitmaker does want more time on camera.

Although he didn't reveal any details, Billboard did reveal that he is currently reviewing scripts.

With Tim McGraw as his role model, there's a good chance he will take on more roles and he's learning all he can — even taking acting lessons.

The move was inspired by McGraw's comments at an event in which he talked about honing his own craft in front of the camera.

"I’d always thought acting was something you were born able to do,” Green admits.

“So when I heard him [McGraw] say it was something that you can work at and learn, then I thought maybe I had a chance to do it. It gave me a little bit of confidence that I should try it.”

Green's next album That's Just Me will arrive on Sept. 18.

His new single "Think as You Drunk" was released on Friday (May 29).