Riley Green Shocks Crowd by Inviting U.S. Marine On Stage for Emotional “In Color” Duet
Riley Green Surprises Fans with U.S. Marine Duet During “In Color” — Crowd Erupts in Patriotic Cheers
In a night already full of smoky barbecue and country heat, Riley Green delivered one of the most emotional surprises of the weekend—and fans are still talking about it.
During his headlining set at Windy City Smokeout on Sunday, July 13, the “If It Wasn’t For Trucks” singer paused the music and brought out a very special guest: First Lieutenant Jackson Perkins of the United States Marine Corps.
The crowd didn’t know what was coming. But moments later, they were on their feet—cheering, crying, and singing along to a duet that hit home for everyone in the audience.
A Heroic Guest Joins the Stage
Perkins, who is currently stationed in Washington, D.C., had traveled to Chicago for Marine Week, which coincided with the Windy City Smokeout. Known among his fellow service members not only for his dedication to duty—but also for his musical talent—Perkins happened to be in the right place, at the right time.
Before stepping on stage, Perkins shared a fist bump with Green backstage—a small moment captured on Green’s Instagram story that fans now see as the calm before a beautiful storm of patriotism and music.
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“In Color” — A Duet That Stopped Time
A few songs into the set, Riley Green introduced Perkins and welcomed him to the stage. The crowd’s curiosity turned to thunderous applause as the Marine strapped on a guitar and the familiar chords of Jamey Johnson’s “In Color” rang out through the night air.
🎶 The duet was more than a performance. It was a tribute to sacrifice, legacy, and the shared stories of American families. As they sang about black-and-white photos that held a thousand memories, you could feel the emotion ripple through the audience.
@funderson someone get me his name thanks #rileygreen
People cheered louder with each verse. And when Perkins began to harmonize, his deep, resonant voice blending perfectly with Green’s, the crowd completely lost it.
From TikTok to Heartstrings
One fan shared the now-viral moment on TikTok with a caption that read:
“You could feel this one in your chest. That Marine just made us all proud.”
Another wrote:
“Riley always brings the real ones on stage. That Marine? Total class. Voice of gold and heart of steel.”
More Than Music—It Was a Moment of Unity
In a world often divided, Riley Green gave the crowd something rare and powerful—a moment where music met patriotism, where the stage became a bridge between civilian life and military sacrifice.
Green, known for honoring veterans and first responders in his shows, didn’t just hand over the mic—he handed over a spotlight that belonged to a real American hero.
@rileyduckman Semper Fi Thank you First Lieutenant Jackson Perkins of the United States Marine Corps for singing this one with me at @Windy City Smokeout #incolor #janeyjohnson
And the fans? They’ll never forget it.
Final Thoughts
As the lights faded and the final notes of “In Color” echoed through the venue, people weren’t just clapping—they were saluting, hugging, and wiping tears from their eyes.
Riley Green didn’t just close out a concert.
He opened up a part of the human spirit that music alone rarely touches.
Because when a country star and a U.S. Marine stand side by side to sing about honor and memory…
That’s not just a duet. That’s America.
