No one expected Riley Green to interrupt his headline performance at the Windy City Smokeout to introduce a U.S. Marine—until he did. Lt. Jackson Perkins took the stage, guitar in hand, and Green performed a flawless duet of “In Color.” The crowd outside the United Center erupted in cheers, and within seconds, the Marine had won them over with both his voice and presence.
On Sunday, July 13, Riley Green closed out Day Three of the Windy City Smokeout with a memorable headlining performance. During his set, he surprised the crowd by inviting First Lieutenant Jackson Perkins of the U.S. Marine Corps to join him on stage for a heartfelt duet of “In Color,” a popular song by Jamey Johnson.
Lt. Perkins, who is currently stationed in Washington, D.C., was in Chicago to support Marine Week, which coincided with the Smokeout festival. A talented singer and musician himself, Perkins shared a light moment backstage with Green before the show. Then, a few songs into the set, Green invited Perkins to perform in front of the packed crowd outside the United Center.
The audience quickly warmed to Perkins, applauding enthusiastically as he stepped on stage with his guitar. Their rendition…