Riley
Anderson

Riley Anderson is a country artist and songwriter whose music reflects the soul of small-town life, the grit of hard work, and the heart of honest storytelling. Though born in Canada, Riley moved to the United States at age 14 and eventually found his way to Leesburg, Georgia, at 20 years old. After living there for over a decade, Leesburg has become the backdrop to his music and the place that feels most like home.

With a sound shaped by real-life experience and a voice as warm and familiar as a southern front porch, Riley’s songs resonate with people who value family, resilience, and truth you can’t fake.

Before pursuing music full-time, Riley spent 11 years working on the railroad. He began his career at 19—the same age his father was when he started his own lifelong journey in railroading. For five years, Riley worked as a conductor, serving as the eyes and ears on the ground. He then spent the next six years as a locomotive engineer, steering the engine through long stretches of the American South.

Raised in a family rooted in the railroad and logging industries, Riley understands what it means to earn your place and carry on tradition. But while the railroad gave him structure and strength, music gave him purpose. Eventually, the demands of his job began interfering with the one thing he loved most: writing and performing songs. In a rare twist, Riley chose to leave behind a stable career—not out of necessity, but to fully commit to his dream.

Music had always been part of his life. He got his first guitar at 11 and taught himself to play by ear, spending hours learning songs from tapes, CDs, and the radio. What began as a childhood escape became a lifelong companion. “I don’t know if I’d even call it a hobby,” he says. “It’s just something I’ve always done whenever I had a moment to myself. It’s always been a constant.”

Riley’s songwriting draws from his own life and the lives of people around him. His goal is to write songs that are both personal and universally relatable. “Not everything I write is directly about me,” he says, “but it all comes from a real place. I want someone to hear a song and think, ‘I’ve been there, too.’”

In 2024, Riley and his wife welcomed their son, Miller, after a difficult journey that included the loss of their first pregnancy—a story he openly shares through his song “Almost.” His music often touches on themes of love, loss, hope, and faith, offering listeners something real to hold on to.

Though his lyrics can be deeply emotional, Riley is known for his easygoing nature and quick wit. “If I wasn’t doing music, I’d probably be trying stand-up comedy,” he laughs. “I tend to find humor in just about everything—even the tough stuff.”

Riley has shared the stage with country stars like Tracy Lawrence, Gary Allan, Miranda Lambert, Justin Moore, and Trey Lewis. Still, he approaches every performance like he’s playing for his hometown crowd—grounded, genuine, and grateful to be doing what he loves.

Whether he’s singing about family, heartbreak, or growing up in the South, Riley Anderson’s music feels lived-in—because it is. He’s not chasing trends. He’s just telling the truth, one song at a time.