Riley Green has only been a coach on The Voice for a few weeks, but the country singer is already developing an entertaining habit: getting out of that big red chair, picking up a guitar, and joining contestants onstage.
It happened during the Season 30 premiere on September 21, 2026. Then, just two weeks later, Riley Green did it again. The first time, the contestant earned a place on Team Riley. The second time, the contestant didn’t get a single chair turn.
Both performances became memorable moments for very different reasons.
Joe Henley Got Two Chair Turns and a Duet With Riley Green
Nineteen-year-old Joe Henley came to The Voice from Alabama with a deep country voice and a love of traditional music. Before the audition, Joe Henley explained that most of the singing experience had come from church and gatherings around a campfire. Joe Henley had never performed a regular gig.
For the Blind Audition, Joe Henley chose Travis Tritt’s 1991 hit “Anymore.”
The performance immediately caught the attention of Riley Green and Kelly Clarkson. Both coaches turned their chairs, setting up a friendly competition for the young Alabama singer.
Kelly Clarkson had plenty to offer. Kelly Clarkson reminded Joe Henley that country singers had won The Voice under Kelly Clarkson’s coaching before. Kelly Clarkson even borrowed Riley Green’s cowboy hat while making a playful attempt to win Joe Henley over.
Joe Henley named Keith Whitley, Don Williams, and George Strait among the musical influences that shaped Joe Henley’s traditional country sound.
When Joe Henley revealed that “My Way” was a favorite Riley Green song, Riley Green decided to make the audition a little more interesting.
Riley Green asked for a guitar, left the coach’s chair, and walked onto the stage.
Joe Henley took the lead as the two performed “My Way” together, with Riley Green playing acoustic guitar and adding harmony. Kelly Clarkson even joined the song with background vocals from the coach’s chair.
The performance gave Joe Henley a chance to sing alongside the country star Joe Henley had hoped to work with before arriving on the show.
When the time came to choose a coach, Joe Henley selected Riley Green. The new coach celebrated by presenting Joe Henley with a pair of Team Riley Carhartt bib overalls.
The Story Behind Riley Green’s “My Way”
“My Way” had already reached television audiences through Riley Green’s acting debut on the CBS series Marshals, a spinoff of Yellowstone.
Riley Green portrayed Garrett, a former Navy SEAL connected to Kayce Dutton’s past. During an episode featuring a gathering around a campfire, Riley Green performed “My Way.”
Although Riley Green wrote the song, Riley Green explained in an interview that “My Way” had not been written specifically for Marshals. The song was selected because the lyrics suited the scene.
Two Weeks Later, Riley Green Did It Again
On October 5, 17-year-old Isabella Juliet Taylor from Arizona stepped onto The Voice stage to perform Lainey Wilson’s “Things a Man Oughta Know.”
Isabella Juliet Taylor accompanied the audition on guitar, using a prosthetic device to help play the instrument. Despite the effort and talent on display, none of the four coaches turned their chairs.
Riley Green praised Isabella Juliet Taylor’s voice and the believable quality of the country performance, while acknowledging how close the decision had been.
During the conversation afterward, Isabella Juliet Taylor brought up something Riley Green already knew about: videos of Isabella Juliet Taylor singing Riley Green’s songs on Instagram.
Riley Green had previously interacted with some of those covers, including a performance of “Don’t Mind If I Do,” Riley Green’s duet with Ella Langley.
That connection led to another unexpected performance.
Riley Green offered to record a video of the two singing together before Isabella Juliet Taylor left the stage.
Riley Green picked up a guitar and began “Don’t Mind If I Do,” with Isabella Juliet Taylor taking the female vocal part originally sung by Ella Langley.
As Isabella Juliet Taylor delivered a strong, sustained note, Riley Green reacted with an enthusiastic, “There she is!” The coaches and audience cheered.
Isabella Juliet Taylor didn’t leave with a place on a team, but the audition ended with a duet alongside one of Isabella Juliet Taylor’s favorite country artists.
One Red Chair, Two Very Different Country Music Moments
The two performances offered different endings. Joe Henley earned two chair turns, performed “My Way” with Riley Green, and joined Team Riley. Isabella Juliet Taylor received no chair turns but still had the opportunity to perform “Don’t Mind If I Do” with Riley Green.
For country fans watching at home, the appeal was simple. Both young singers got to share a song with an artist whose music they already knew and loved.
And for Riley Green, the first few weeks of The Voice have included a surprising amount of time away from the coach’s chair.
If Riley Green keeps this up, NBC might want to leave a guitar permanently beside that big red chair.