Riley Green has a New Look

Willie Nelson has his braids. Chris Stapleton his beard. Jelly Roll and Post Malone have their facial tattoos. Riley Green had his mustache. 

Whether they do it intentionally or not, celebrities often become known for a stand-out feature. Sometimes it’s planned. Sometimes it comes about organically. But when it’s gone it can leave a hole in the image the public has become familiar with. Do you remember the first time you saw Tom Selleck without his mustache?!

So, how do you handle it when someone as famous as country stud Riley Green changes his face? You’ll have to figure that out because it happened. But let’s start the story of the ‘stache from the beginning … 

Jeff Kurkjian, from The Andie Summers Show, had a chance to talk to Riley about the ‘stache while they were in Texas for the Academy of Country Music Awards (ACMs) and Riley shared the genesis of his trademark facial hair  … 

Before he became the famous “Duckman,” Riley made a living as a UPS driver. They have a reputation for being hunky guys in brown uniforms, and Riley certainly didn’t disappoint. One of the rules for Riley as a driver and deliveryman was that he couldn’t have facial hair that went past his mouth. That means no beard, goatee, soul-patch, fu manchu, … you get the idea. So Riley grew a mustache. And it stuck.

Fast forward several years and a few hits later, and this strapping young man has become known for his signature ‘stache. Ella Langley, his collaborator on the hit song “You Look Like You Love Me,” also played a role in preserving the mustache. Actually, she takes credit for it. According to Taste of Country, Ella was overheard backstage at the ACMs saying that she insisted Riley keep his mustache for the music video. They went with an old western aesthetic, and the look was perfect. 

Shaving the stache is a bold move. What do you think?