Jamey Johnson & Riley Green: From Alabama Brothers to Duet Partners
You could say Jamey Johnson and Riley Green were destined to cross paths. Both proud Alabama natives and former students at Jacksonville State University, the two share not only musical roots but also a friendship built on humor, golf, and mutual respect.
“There’s a natural connection with us there,” Johnson said. “I was immediately impressed with his writing and singing.”
A Friendship Built on Humor and Respect
Johnson admires Green’s sharp wit and easygoing personality — a key part of their bond.
“One of my favorite things about Riley is his sense of humor, and he can take as much as he dishes out,” Johnson explained. “That’s why we’re always hurling comments at each other. Recently, when one of the videos caught traction, I felt bad about it — you only heard me messing with him, so I had to call and apologize!”
The pair’s friendship has played out onstage and off, from Losers Bar and Grill in Nashville to major events like Windy City Smokeout, Green’s Buford Bonds Foundation Golf Tournament, and the Regions Celebrity Golf Tournament. Fans have seen them perform together on Johnson classics such as “In Color” and “High Cost of Living.”
Collaborating on Their First Official Duet — “Smoke”
Their bond has now culminated in their first recorded collaboration, “Smoke” — a gritty breakup song that turns heartache into a haze of metaphor. The title plays double duty: the dust from her tires as she leaves and the cigarette smoke that masks the pain. Instead of facing heartbreak, the narrators choose to fade behind the smoke.
Co-written by Johnson, Green, and Erik Dylan, the song came to life inside two iconic studios — The Cash Cabin and Big Gassed Studios — and was produced by Kyle Lehning and Jim “Moose” Brown, with T.W. Cargile handling recording and mixing.
“It was just a blast getting to write with Riley and Erik,” Johnson said. “Riley called me up, and we booked time to write. We finished it in about an hour. I love the idea of a guy not being too upset about whatever she’s mad at. That smoke probably has a lot to do with it.”
Green echoed that the collaboration felt completely natural after touring together earlier in the year.
“Writing this song with Jamey was a lot of fun,” he said. “After spending time on the road together, it just felt right to get in the studio and make some country music.”
Taking “Smoke” on the Road
“Smoke” arrives just as Johnson joins Green’s Damn Country Music Tour, performing together across nine November dates. For fans, it’s a full-circle moment — two generations of Alabama country grit, humor, and heart, blending into one unmistakable sound.