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Clint Black Steps in as New Opener for Riley Greens Tour After Justin Moore Pulls Out
Clint Black has been announced as the new opening act for Riley Green’s Cowboy As It Gets Tour after country star Justin Moore withdrew from the run to focus on his health. The change will affect shows in New Jersey and New York, where Black will take the stage in place of Moore, who was originally slated to open.
Moore’s exit also leaves the Indiana and Pennsylvania dates without a confirmed opener. No replacement has yet been named for those venues, according to the tour’s official schedule. The announcement came shortly after Black presented Green with the Hitmaker Award at Billboard’s 2026 Country Power Players event in Nashville.
In a post on Instagram, Black praised Green’s songwriting, writing, “Well deserved recognition for one of the finest songwriters and hitmakers in the business!” The award was part of a broader celebration of Green’s career, which includes a string of top‑20 hits on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
Black’s touring calendar is already full. He is currently on his Back on the Blacktop Tour, which began in May, and he is opening for Cody Johnson on select dates of that trek. In addition, the veteran singer will join the country duo Midland for an eight‑show fall tour, Live in Concert, scheduled for October. The collaboration follows the release of Black’s track “Up in Texas,” a feature on Midland’s latest album, Stages.
Justin Moore’s health‑related pause was announced on June 8 via an Instagram message. He explained that he would be stepping away from touring for a short period to focus on his well‑being and family. The singer confirmed that he would miss the New Jersey, New York, Indiana, and Pennsylvania shows on Green’s tour. He stated that he would return to the road on July 9 at the Knox County Fair in Illinois and resume the Cowboy As It Gets Tour on July 16 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The shift in opening acts is a routine adjustment in the touring world, but it underscores the importance of continuity for a headline artist’s schedule. Green’s tour, which is the largest headlining run of his career, is set to promote his forthcoming fourth studio album, That’s Just Me, due for release in September. Fans who purchased tickets for the affected dates will now see Black, a country legend with more than thirty Billboard charting singles, take the stage.
From an industry perspective, the move keeps the tour’s momentum intact. Black’s presence brings a different energy to the shows, and his recent work with Midland and Cody Johnson signals a continued relevance in the contemporary country scene. Meanwhile, the lack of a replacement for the Indiana and Pennsylvania dates remains a minor logistical gap that the tour’s management is reportedly addressing.
As of now, the Cowboy As It Gets Tour will continue with Black opening in New Jersey and New York, while the other dates await a new act. Fans can expect the same high‑energy performances from Green, who has already sold out several venues in the past month. The tour’s remaining dates, including the fall Live in Concert run with Midland, are scheduled to begin in October and conclude in early November.
In summary, Clint Black’s addition to Riley Green’s tour replaces Justin Moore’s original role, ensuring that the schedule proceeds without interruption. The change highlights the adaptability of touring operations and the enduring appeal of veteran country artists. The only unresolved detail is the opener for the Indiana and Pennsylvania shows, which the tour organizers are working to fill before the next leg of the tour.
Moore’s exit also leaves the Indiana and Pennsylvania dates without a confirmed opener. No replacement has yet been named for those venues, according to the tour’s official schedule. The announcement came shortly after Black presented Green with the Hitmaker Award at Billboard’s 2026 Country Power Players event in Nashville.
In a post on Instagram, Black praised Green’s songwriting, writing, “Well deserved recognition for one of the finest songwriters and hitmakers in the business!” The award was part of a broader celebration of Green’s career, which includes a string of top‑20 hits on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
Black’s touring calendar is already full. He is currently on his Back on the Blacktop Tour, which began in May, and he is opening for Cody Johnson on select dates of that trek. In addition, the veteran singer will join the country duo Midland for an eight‑show fall tour, Live in Concert, scheduled for October. The collaboration follows the release of Black’s track “Up in Texas,” a feature on Midland’s latest album, Stages.
Justin Moore’s health‑related pause was announced on June 8 via an Instagram message. He explained that he would be stepping away from touring for a short period to focus on his well‑being and family. The singer confirmed that he would miss the New Jersey, New York, Indiana, and Pennsylvania shows on Green’s tour. He stated that he would return to the road on July 9 at the Knox County Fair in Illinois and resume the Cowboy As It Gets Tour on July 16 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The shift in opening acts is a routine adjustment in the touring world, but it underscores the importance of continuity for a headline artist’s schedule. Green’s tour, which is the largest headlining run of his career, is set to promote his forthcoming fourth studio album, That’s Just Me, due for release in September. Fans who purchased tickets for the affected dates will now see Black, a country legend with more than thirty Billboard charting singles, take the stage.
From an industry perspective, the move keeps the tour’s momentum intact. Black’s presence brings a different energy to the shows, and his recent work with Midland and Cody Johnson signals a continued relevance in the contemporary country scene. Meanwhile, the lack of a replacement for the Indiana and Pennsylvania dates remains a minor logistical gap that the tour’s management is reportedly addressing.
As of now, the Cowboy As It Gets Tour will continue with Black opening in New Jersey and New York, while the other dates await a new act. Fans can expect the same high‑energy performances from Green, who has already sold out several venues in the past month. The tour’s remaining dates, including the fall Live in Concert run with Midland, are scheduled to begin in October and conclude in early November.
In summary, Clint Black’s addition to Riley Green’s tour replaces Justin Moore’s original role, ensuring that the schedule proceeds without interruption. The change highlights the adaptability of touring operations and the enduring appeal of veteran country artists. The only unresolved detail is the opener for the Indiana and Pennsylvania shows, which the tour organizers are working to fill before the next leg of the tour.
