Meet Austin Riley! Austin recently released a country music album and he’s a student at North Hall High School!
Austin’s parents are Chris and Bambi Riley and he has one brother, Jake.
We want to thank Austin for spending time with us recently and telling us more about his life and love of Hall County.
Please tell us a little bit about you, your background and your family.
A: “I grew up on Clarks Bridge Road, across from Dewberry Baptist Church. My dad bought the house he grew up in from his parents and my parents built the house we live in now on the same spot. My brother, Jake, and I are the fifth generation to live on that property. We have had horses but don’t anymore. I had a horse named Trigger for seven years. We have cows and chickens now. I have learned so much from my dad living and working with him on the farm.”
Q: Please tell us about your music. Did you name the album? What led you to your current career?
A: “I started writing country music about a year and a half ago. I wrote five songs and I had them recorded in a local studio. I named the album ‘Just to Be With You;’ that song is about a girl that I met a couple years ago. She is now one of my best friends. The other songs are about family and friends. The experiences I have had with my friends and heartbreak are what got me started writing songs. I have two new songs coming out soon. ‘Heaven Sent An Angel’ and ‘Whiskey Memories’ will be released by the end of the year. I actually started my own business, too. It is called R and L Services. I couldn’t get a regular job because I am on the golf team at North Hall and we practice after school four days a week until it gets dark, so I decided to start my own business so I could make my own hours. We do yard work, pressure washing, staining, painting, hauling off junk, clearing lots, and all kinds of odd jobs. I have really enjoyed it. I have met so many great people and learned so much.”
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in Hall County?
A: “Dari Spot or Longstreet. My grandparents used to own Henry O’s and my family loved that restaurant so much. It would probably be my favorite if it was still around.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Hall County?
A: “I would say Governor Nathan Deal. He has always been a good friend to my family. We got to do some really interesting things when he was the Governor.”
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: “I have so many it is hard to choose. My dad worked at the Capitol with Governor Deal while I was growing up and my mom was here, she’s a realtor with The Norton Agency. Both of my grandparents live here so we all spent a lot of time together. We went on all kinds of trips with my Nana and Granddad. We went to the beach a lot, went to the aquarium every year, it was always fun. My other granddad likes to watch John Wayne movies for hours. Watching movies in the basement with Big R is also one of my favorite childhood memories.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “Alaska because there’s no phone service. I would love to go salmon fishing there some day.”
Q: What advice would you give to people?
A: “Don’t waste your high school days away.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “I want to go base jumping.”
Q: What is one of your favorite music? Favorite artists or bands?
A: “Country music. I like the legends like Alan Jackson, George Strait, and Waylon Jennings.”
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
A: “Jimmy Buffet, I would ask him for advice on how to make song writing my career. I would take him to Dari Spot.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Hall County?
A: “The people are really nice.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years?
A: “I plan to attend Georgia Southern University and study music production.”
Q: What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater? What is your favorite movie?
A: “I remember going to the theatre to see ‘Cars 2.’”
To listen to Austin’s album ‘Just To Be With You’: https://music.apple.com/
