Boots, Boats, and Bucks: Riley Green’s Second Annual Duckman Jam Blends Sold-Out Country Music with Critical Conservation
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Event: The Second Annual Duckman Jam
Host: Riley Green
Special Guests: Jamey Johnson, Drake White, and Lauren Watkins
Venue: Simmons Bank Arena, Little Rock, Arkansas
Attendance: Sold Out (9,800)
The air in Little Rock, Arkansas, crackled with energy, anticipation, and the distinct spirit of the outdoors as country music superstar Riley Green hosted his Second Annual Duckman Jam. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a high-octane celebration marking the kickoff of duck season, skillfully blending raw, authentic country music with a profound commitment to environmental stewardship.
With a sold-out crowd of 9,800 fans packing the Simmons Bank Arena, the evening proved that Green’s platform as both an award-winning artist and an avid hunter and outdoorsman resonates deeply. The success of the night was two-fold: delivering a powerhouse musical experience while also raising significant funds for wetland conservation.
The Lineup: An Ode to Authentic Country
The evening served as a perfect curtain-raiser to the main act, featuring a stellar cast of special guests. Rising star Lauren Watkins set the stage, offering a fresh, yet traditional, take on country storytelling. She was followed by the soulful, eclectic energy of Drake White, whose vibrant performance brought a unique, grooving flavor to the proceedings. The true testament to authenticity, however, arrived with the legendary Jamey Johnson, whose deep, gravelly voice and uncompromising songwriting anchored the first half of the evening in the genre’s hard-worn roots.
When Riley Green finally took the stage, the atmosphere was electric. Known for his relatable, blue-collar anthems, Green leveraged his massive appeal not just to perform, but to connect. While the details of the setlist remain the roar of the crowd, the implied energy of a “Duckman Jam” kickoff suggests a powerful mix of his chart-topping hits and perhaps a few deeper cuts nodding to the outdoor lifestyle he so passionately embodies. Green’s ability to command a massive arena while maintaining an authentic, down-to-earth demeanor is what makes him a “rocket ship in country music,” as Ducks Unlimited Senior Vice President Tom Jernigan, Jr. noted.
Conservation: The True Headliner
What elevated the Duckman Jam beyond a standard arena show was its unwavering focus on the cause. The concert was a pivotal mechanism for driving conservation funding, resulting in a remarkable $100,000 donation to Ducks Unlimited (DU). This substantial contribution—a combination of a percentage of the ticket sales and funds from the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation (AGFF) and Green’s Buford Bonde Charitable Fund—will directly support waterfowl habitat conservation in the Natural State, particularly in crucial areas like the greentree reservoirs in eastern Arkansas.
This partnership is a model for effective celebrity-led philanthropy. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders praised Green for “leveraging his influential platform to shine a national spotlight on the critical importance of conservation.” The collaboration highlights the vital role organizations like DU and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission play in preserving the state’s natural heritage. As DU CEO Adam Putnam emphasized, this funding goes directly into maintaining the “flooded timber of Arkansas,” one of the world’s most renowned waterfowling experiences.
Green himself articulated the simple, genuine motivation: “Ducks Unlimited and AGFC are great partners who do so much work for waterfowl… I’m always happy to support wetland conservation whenever I can.” This lack of pretense is precisely why the event succeeded—it felt like a genuine celebration of a shared passion, not a cynical fundraiser.
Conclusion
The Second Annual Duckman Jam was an unqualified success, proving that when an artist truly stands behind a cause, the audience will follow. The energy of 9,800 cheering fans, combined with the collective pride in supporting the Arkansas landscape, created a truly unique and memorable night. Riley Green, along with his celebrated guests, didn’t just kick off a season; they cemented a legacy of commitment, setting a high bar for how country music can serve as a powerful force for good in the world of conservation. The $100,000 donation is a tangible victory, ensuring the beauty of Arkansas’s wetlands will thrive for future generations of hunters and nature lovers alike.