Marine Who Went Viral For Singing With Riley Green Shares What’s Next For His Career
on Jul 24, 2025
Meet Jackson Perkins, The Up-And-Coming Country Singer Who Shared The Stage With Riley Green
Infantry Marine Jackson Perkins went viral last week for singing a couple of lines of Jamey Johnson’s “In Color” with Riley Green
When asked how he ended up on stage with one of his favorite current country music artists, he told Country Rebel a compelling story about how he “manifested” the whole ordeal.
He shared that he met Riley Green at a Celebrity Softball game in Nashville on June 2nd, 2025. The pair took a photo together and chatted for a bit about a charity that is close to Perkins’ heart.
A few short weeks later, he was set to attend the Smoke Out, a country music and BBQ festival held annually in Chicago. This year, the festival was held from July 10th to 13th.
Fast forward to Chicago. Before the Smoke Out, I’m in a bar with my buddy, who I play guitar with. I said, “How cool would it be to play a song with Riley Green on stage?”
Visualizing the potential of playing on stage with Riley Green, Perkins made sure he was prepared.
We’re both big visualizers and manifestors. He said, “Dude, make it happen.” So we looked up his setlist and saw he plays “In Color”—one of my favorite songs to play. When I said goodbye to my friend, he said, “Alright man, I’m going to do some room inspections for the Marines. When I’m done, I’ll be expecting the video of you playing on stage.”
Spoiler alert: that is precisely what happened.
You know the old saying, “Ask and you shall receive?” Well, that perfectly describes what happened next.
When I was backstage, I saw all the guys I met at the softball game, and I started chatting with them. I saw Riley and said, “I’m going to ask him.”
Perkins asked, and Riley said yes!
It’s such a great song, and Riley covers it so well. He even does it a half step down, which is how I sing it, too. I thought, this is perfect. It’s meant to be. I couldn’t think of anyone better to sing it with. Riley Green’s the coolest dude. It’s been a dream of mine as long as I can remember.
Watch their performance below.
@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 ♬ original sound – Riley Green
When he [his friend] gets back to his hotel room, he’s on FaceTime with his girlfriend and sees the video. He’s like, “Oh babe, he did it!” So he’s freaking out. One of my best friends and biggest supporters. It’s super cool that we manifested it happening.
When Can Fans Expect The First Jackson Perkins Single?
Perkins shared that he has been dreaming of country music for “as long as he could remember.”
The Marine says he is inspired by the country music classics.
I love George Jones, Willie Nelson, and Randy Travis. I feel like their style is starting to come back. I’m excited to put my stamp on country music.
Perkins shared that he has been “writing almost every day” even before his Riley Green video went viral. He is actively working on music and hopes to get out a track “soon.”
He is waiting for the right first release, saying, “I’ve written a couple of songs and am waiting to release one that I feel really strongly about.”
For now, he loves his role in the Marines, although he is sure that country music is in his future.
I have a vision board where I write notes about who I want to be. I know I’m going to be doing this for a living one day, but for now, I’m just enjoying being a Marine and pursuing music. Everyone I work with is really encouraging of it, which is great.
The Nonprofit CreatiVets
The non-profit that the singing Marine discussed with Riley Green is CreatiVets.
Perkins shared with Country Rebel how he got involved with the charity.
I met Richard Casper and Brett Gillen, who run CreatiVets, two years ago. This May, I officially became their military liaison representative. That means I work with their team and volunteer to help empower active-duty Marines to heal through arts and music. Traditionally, Creative Vets works with wounded veterans and veterans with PTSD. They fly these veterans into Nashville and have them write backstage at the Grand Ole Opry with hit songwriters who volunteer their time. Big Machine Records helps release their music, and the stories I’ve heard from these veterans are incredibly powerful. Some of them are on the verge of ending it, and they find music that articulates their emotions, which is so cool.
Perkins believes it is the perfect mix of his passions for military and country music.
I’m just doing my part, and it aligns with the military and music. Creative Vets has helped me so much in my personal music journey and has introduced me to people around Nashville. Last week, we hosted them, bringing songwriters to the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. for a songwriting session with active-duty Marines. They wrote songs, and the songwriters played their hit number ones like “Woman Like You” and “Lonely Eyes.”
Perkins’ Vision For His Career Impact
He said he hopes to “leave his stamp on country music.” He is hoping to “share my message and connect with people, hopefully having them feel something like I did when I first heard George Jones or Josh Turner. It’s that feeling you can’t quite describe.”
He shared that he hopes people will connect with his music and learn that it is important to remain selfless in everything.
I think it’s important to remember that it’s not about you. As a Marine Corps infantry leader, especially as a platoon commander, we emphasize that it’s not about you. I think some performers forget that, and when they do, people stop listening. It’s about the people you connect with. It’s about the song.
In addition to his military life and his passion for country music, he shared that he loves riding motorcycles and has “multiple Harleys.”
I have an affinity for motorcycles. I’ve owned multiple Harleys. The last place I was stationed was near Joshua Tree in California. On the weekends, I’d ride my Harley to Arizona, the Colorado River, Big Bear, or San Diego. I feel like that’s a place where I’m going to write some songs.
Keep up to date with Jackson Perkins’ career by following him on social media, or he said,
You can come meet me at Marine Barracks, Washington. We have Friday evening parades every week until August 22nd, and the public is welcome to attend. I’ll be there in my uniform, and I encourage people to come out and see what the Marine Corps has to offer.
@jackson_perkins Had to rip it again after talking with Adison from @Taste_Of_Country ! #incolor @JameyJohnsonOfficial @AdisonHaager ♬ original sound – Jackson Perkins
