Riley Green learned an important lesson after he pulled and returned his song "Bury Me in Dixie" from digital steaming services last month.

It's not the lesson you might think, however.

The "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" singer and 2018 Taste of Country RISERS star found himself at the center of a controversy after Rolling Stone reported the song was removed due to a lyric that celebrated Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Taste of Country and other media outlets also reported the story but the singer and his record label team never officially commented. Prior to the CMA Awards, Green reveals what he says really happened.

"People were so worried about why I took the song down," the Alabama-raised singer begins, "and the thing to keep in mind is, I recorded about 30 songs before I signed a record deal and I was a broke construction worker at the time. I love hearing my song on the radio. Dan Huff is a little bit different than me recording in Bob’s garage for $500. So these songs that I’ve had out are like nails on a chalkboard to me to listen to."

In fact, Green wants to re-cut several of his songs to improve the experience. "Georgia Time," "Outlaws Like Us" and "Runnin' With an Angel" are a few more he mentioned prior to the 2019 CMA Awards in Nashville. The backlash from removing the songs led to them quickly being put back.

“People cling to the original version," he admits, and while that may not be his favorite version, he's grateful for an audience that wants to listen to him in whatever format.

We like this version of Riley Green's newest single. Watch him perform an in studio acoustic version of "I Wish Grandpas Never Died" below:

See Riley Green's Top 10 Songs

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