Riley Green turned a disappointing situation into an incredible moment for fans. After Hoofbeat Country Fest announced that Ella Langley would no longer perform due to “unforeseen circumstances,” her duet partner tapped some unexpected people to replace her for the set.
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After hearing the news of Langley’s absence, Hailey James, a rising artist who performed at the festival earlier in the day, decided to shoot her shot. She took to Instagram to pitch herself as an ideal replacement for Langley during Green’s set.
“Riley, if you’re watching this, I am opening for you this Thursday. I am on the main stage,” she said in the video. “My name is Hailey James, and I would love to join you for this song.”
Riley Green Performs With Rising Country Stars
A local radio station saw James’ post and decided to welcome her onto the air in an attempt to get Green’s attention. The radio spot did just that, and Green ended up inviting James to the stage to perform “You Look Like You Love Me” with him.
“@rileyduckman you are so kind for giving me this opportunity! Glad people like you get the fame because you deserve it!” James wrote after the performance. “You are so talented and I hope I did @ellalangleymusic proud!”
Country trio Just Jayne used a similar approach to get Green’s attention. The girl group also used social media in to pitch themselves as Langley’s replacement on her and Green’s song “Don’t Mind If I Do.”
Their efforts worked as they wound up performing the track with Green at the festival.
While Langley didn’t make the festival, she’s been playing many other shows as of late. In fact, she just opened for Morgan Wallen on his I’m the Problem Tour. After her opening set, Wallen even brought her out to perform Tate McRae’s part on their duet, “What I Want.”
“My sister turned me on to Tate and her music a few years ago and I’ve been a fan ever since. She is a true pop star, a prolific songwriter and is also an extremely underrated vocalist,” Wallen told Billboard of his duet partner. “We have known each other for a couple years and have been talking about doing a song together if the right one came about.”
Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ABA
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