Oliver Anthony is the farmer/musician from Virginia who went from obscurity to a viral sensation in just 2 weeks. His song "Rich Men North Of Richmond" has garnered over 26M views in those two weeks - and on top of that, it has now topped the Apple Music's US and global Top 100 charts. Again - in fewer than two weeks. Wicker & Wilde played the song this morning.
For those unfamiliar with the viral song, it's a stripped down working man's lament that hits home for many, while others find it problematic in its depiction of the welfare system, among other things. No matter which side of the debate you come down on, the appeal of the song is undeniable. Rapper Gucci Mane has already tried to recruit Anthony for his record label, while Anthony himself says he's turned down multiple offers, including one he says was for $8M.
As for Oliver, whose real name is Christopher Anthony Lunsford, he says he's as shocked as anyone by the success of the song, and says he isn't looking for fame or fortune. "I don't want 6 tour buses, 15 tractor trailers and a jet. I don't want to play stadium shows, I don't want to be in the spotlight. I wrote the music I wrote because I was suffering with mental health and depression," he confessed.
In other news, Anthony's co-manager Draven Riffe, some big names in country music have already reached out. "There have been other artists who have reached out, honestly just to be a mentor," Riffe says, citing Jelly Roll, Randy Travis, Ryan Upchurch and Brent Smith of Shinedown. John Rich has been in touch, too, offering to produce music for Anthony and praising him on social media. "We're literally open to working with everybody," Riffe continues, but says no plans have yet firmed up about the specifics of those collaborations.
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Rebecca Wilde
Rebecca Wilde
Rebecca Wilde
Rebecca Wilde
Rebecca Wilde
