Riley Green Teams Up With U.S. Marine for Heartfelt “In Color” Performance in Chicago

Riley Green’s set at the Windy City Smokeout on Sunday, July 13, took an unforgettable turn when he welcomed First Lieutenant Jackson Perkins of the U.S. Marine Corps to the stage. Together, they performed Jamey Johnson’s “In Color” for a crowd of thousands.

The 26-year-old Marine, dressed in his full uniform, stepped up alongside Green, who played his acoustic guitar. Green gave Perkins the spotlight, and the Marine’s rich baritone filled the venue: “Oh, and this one here’s taken overseas / In the middle of hell in nineteen forty-three…” Fans cheered loudly, many recording the moment on their phones.

Perkins explained the song’s personal significance: “I feel a strong connection to this song. Jamey Johnson was a Marine, and the lyrics resonate with me and with everyone who has loved ones who served.” Stationed in Washington, D.C., Perkins has long nurtured a passion for country music, performing at open mics, writing songs, and working with CreatiVets, an organization supporting veterans through art. Meeting Green backstage allowed him to showcase his talent. “I sang a few lines for him, and he simply said, ‘Let’s play it.’”

The duet quickly went viral after a fan shared a video on TikTok, drawing widespread praise. Fans admired Green’s humility in sharing the stage and Perkins’ powerful vocals. While Green’s Chicago set featured other big names like Jon Pardi, Kane Brown, Bailey Zimmerman, and Megan Moroney, his performance with Perkins stood out as a moving reminder of country music’s connection to service, sacrifice, and patriotic pride.