Oliver Anthony
{{Short description|American singer-songwriter (born 1992)}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Oliver Anthony
| image = OliverAnthony PressClub Daryl Connor Thompson 23-08-23 7993 8 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Anthony in August 2023
| alt = Musician Oliver Anthony, seated on a couch while playing a resonator guitar
| birth_name = Christopher Anthony Lunsford
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|6|30}}
| origin = Farmville, Virginia, U.S.{{Cite magazine |last=Goldsberry |first=Jenny |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Virginia songwriter Oliver Anthony goes viral with anti-government 'Rich Men North of Richmond' |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/oliver-anthony-update-rich-men-north-of-richmond-song-viral | access-date = August 13, 2023 |magazine=Washington Examiner |language=en}}
| genre = {{hlist|Country|folk}}
| occupation = Singer-songwriter
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar}}
| label =
| website = {{URL|https://oliveranthonymusic.com}}
}}
Christopher Anthony Lunsford{{cite web |date=August 17, 2023 |title=Oliver Anthony Says He's in No Hurry to Sign a Deal: 'People in the Industry Give Me Blank Stares When I Brush Off $8 Million Offers' |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/oliver-anthony-responds-industry-offers-rich-men-north-richmond-1235699012/ |access-date=August 18, 2023 |website=Variety}} (born 30 June 1992),{{Cite news |last=Bella |first=Timothy |date=2023-09-25 |title=Oliver Anthony seized on a moment with 'Rich Men North of Richmond.' Now what? |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2023/09/25/oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-richmond/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |issn=0190-8286}} known professionally as Oliver Anthony Music (or simply Oliver Anthony), is an American singer and songwriter from Farmville, Virginia.{{Cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=August 15, 2023 |title=Oliver Anthony's 'Rich Men North of Richmond' Is an Instant Smash Among Conservatives, While Progressives Wonder if He's a 'Plant' |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond-divides-conservatives-progressives-1235696805/ |access-date=August 23, 2023 |website=Variety}} In August 2023, he released the single "Rich Men North of Richmond" independently, which debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 and made Lunsford the first artist to achieve this without any prior charting history in any form.Peaks on the Billboard Hot 100:
- "Ain't Gotta Dollar": {{cite magazine |title=Billboard Hot 100: Week of August 26, 2023 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2023-08-26/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 22, 2023}}
- "Rich Men North of Richmond": {{cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=August 21, 2023 |title=Oliver Anthony Music's 'Rich Men North of Richmond' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/oliver-anthony-music-rich-men-north-of-richmond-number-one-debut-hot-100-1235396681/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 21, 2023}}
Career
=Career beginnings=
A singer of the country-folk genre,{{cite news |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=August 15, 2023 |title=Oliver Anthony's 'Rich Men North of Richmond' Is an Instant Smash Among Conservatives, While Progressives Wonder if He's a 'Plant' |language=en |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond-divides-conservatives-progressives-1235696805/ |access-date=August 15, 2023 |quote=the Appalachian country-folk singer has been acclaimed […] he declares himself nonpartisan}} Lunsford adopted his grandfather's name "Oliver Anthony" as his stage name in homage to the Depression era in which he lived.{{cite news |first=Marcus K. |last=Dowling |title=Inside Oliver Anthony's 'Rich Men North of Richmond' and its path to Billboard's Hot 100 chart |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/08/17/oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond-path-to-top-billboard-hot-100-chart/70605630007/ |access-date=August 17, 2023 |work=The Tennessean |date=August 17, 2023 |language=en |quote=The artist born Christopher Anthony Lunsford took his grandfather's name as an homage to the "dirt floors, seven kids and hard times" that dominated the 1930s Appalachia in which the original Oliver Anthony was born and raised}}
Anthony started writing music in 2021, and since 2022 has released music as Oliver Anthony Music.{{cite web |last=Benitez-Eves |first=Tina |date=August 15, 2023 |title=Jamey Johnson Joins Viral Singer Oliver Anthony for Surprise Rendition of "In Color" |url=https://americansongwriter.com/jamey-johnson-joins-viral-singer-oliver-anthony-for-surprise-rendition-of-in-color/ |work=American Songwriter}} Winston Marshall compared Anthony's performance on his song "Doggonit" —a song which contrasts consumption of insect protein and self-driving cars with Anthony's rural abode—{{cite news |author1=Spencer Kornhaber |title=The Real Men South of Richmond |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2023/08/oliver-anthony-zach-bryan-working-class-hero/675190/ |access-date=August 31, 2023 |newspaper=The Atlantic |date=August 31, 2023 |language=en |quote="Doggonit," maligns insect protein and self-driving cars—but mostly as a scary contrast with his rural refuge}} to that of a character from Hillbilly Elegy.{{cite news |first=Winston |last=Marshall |author-link=Winston Marshall |title=Oliver Anthony and the sorry state of Rolling Stone |url=https://thespectator.com/book-and-art/oliver-anthony-sorry-state-rolling-stone/ |access-date=August 17, 2023 |work=The Spectator |date=August 14, 2023 |language=en |quote=The working-class factory-worker sings "Republicans and Democrats, Lord I swear they're all just full of crap" on his song "Doggonit," like a character from Hillbilly Elegy}} His music has been influenced by Hank Williams.
He said he "started getting messages from people saying how much the music was helping them with their struggles in their lives", and that that gave him a purpose. "It made me feel like I wasn't just wasting my time."{{cite web |last=Lorge |first=Melinda |date=August 14, 2023 |title=Virginia's Hidden Gem: Oliver Anthony & His Blue-Collar Political Anthem, "Rich Men North Of Richmond" |url=https://musicmayhemmagazine.com/virginias-hidden-gem-oliver-anthony-his-blue-collar-political-anthem-rich-men-north-of-richmond/ |access-date=August 15, 2023 |website=Music Mayhem}}{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=Angela |date=August 14, 2023 |title=How an obscure country artist's viral song became a conservative anthem |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/rich-men-north-richmond-viral-conservative-anthem-rcna99698 |access-date=August 14, 2023 |website=NBC News |language=en}} Anthony had been struggling with mental health issues and alcohol abuse for five years,{{cite news |title=Who is viral 'Rich Men North Of Richmond' singer Oliver Anthony and why is he controversial? |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/who-is-viral-rich-men-north-of-richmond-singer-oliver-anthony-and-why-is-he-controversial-3485137 |access-date=August 21, 2023 |work=NME |date=August 18, 2023 |quote=I've spent the last five years struggling with mental health and using alcohol to drown it}} and according to Twitter user Jason Howerton who had interviewed him, in July 2023 Anthony broke down and promised God that he would get sober if he helped him follow his dream. Around 30 days later, West Virginia music channel Radiowv asked him to record a song for its YouTube music channel, and the result was "Rich Men North of Richmond".{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/blue-collar-political-anthem-rich-men-north-richmond-bumps-jason-aldean-song-top-spot-chart |title=Blue-collar political anthem 'Rich Men North of Richmond' bumps Jason Aldean song out of top spot on chart |website=FoxNews |date=August 15, 2023 |access-date=August 23, 2023 |quote=In depths of despair, just about a month ago, Oliver got to his knees & broke down in tears. Though he's wasn't a religious man, that night he promised God to get sober if he helped him follow his dream," Howerton wrote. "Oliver was about 30 days sober when someone reached out & asked him to come record a song for his YouTube channel. That song was "Rich Men North of Richmond."}}{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/today/rcna100667 |title=Who is Oliver Anthony? His song 'Rich Men North of Richmond' is topping global charts |website=Today.com |date=August 18, 2023 |access-date=August 23, 2023 |quote=In a seemingly since-deleted Youtube video, Anthony said in July 2023 that he'd promised God he'd get sober for help following his dreams, Taste of Country reports.}}{{cite web |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond-lyrics/ |title=Here Are the Lyrics to Oliver Anthony's 'Rich Men North of Richmond' |website=Taste of Country |date=August 15, 2023 |access-date=August 23, 2023 |quote=In July 2023, he says promised God he'd get sober for help following his dreams. About 30 days later, he was trending to have the No. 1 country song in America.}}{{cite web |date=August 14, 2023 |title=Oliver Anthony's 'Rich Men North of Richmond' Song Goes Mega-Viral, Leads to Huge Crowds at Tiny North Carolina Farmer's Market Show |url=https://www.outkick.com/oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond-song-lyrics-viral-video/ |access-date=August 15, 2023 |website=Outkick}}{{cite web |last=Uitti |first=Jacob |date=August 14, 2023 |title=Viral Singer Oliver Anthony's 'Rich Men North Of Richmond' Gets Massive Audience |url=https://americansongwriter.com/viral-singer-oliver-anthonys-rich-men-north-of-richmond-gets-massive-audience/ |access-date=August 15, 2023 |website=American Songwriter}}
Anthony performed a free show at a farmers' market in Barco, North Carolina, on August 13, which Anthony opened with the reading of verses from Psalm 37 about evildoers.{{cite news |last1=Giatti |first1=Ian M. |date=August 15, 2023 |title='Rich Men North of Richmond' singer Oliver Anthony quotes Scripture in first show after going viral |language=en |work=The Christian Post |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/rich-men-north-of-richmond-singer-oliver-anthony-quotes-bible.html |access-date=August 16, 2023 |quote=but not before sharing Scripture with the crowd […] Saying he was "compelled to share" Psalms 37, Anthony chose specifically to read verses 12 through 20}} He was joined by surprise guest Jamey Johnson. That same month, six other Anthony songs ranked in the iTunes top 20, with five of the others in the top 10, including "I've Got to Get Sober",{{cite magazine |last1=Denis |first1=Kyle |last2=Lipshutz |first2=Jason |last3=Unterberger |first3=Andrew |date=August 16, 2023 |title=Oliver Anthony's Viral Success Has Already Spread to His Whole Catalog |language=en |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/oliver-anthonys-streaming-success-viral-catalog-rich-men-north-of-richmond/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |quote="Richmond" is just one of seven of his songs currently in the iTunes top 20 as of publishing}} which reached No. 3 on the Apple platform.{{cite news |last=Lloyd |first=Sophie |title=Singer Who Went Viral Thanks to Joe Rogan Scores Another Massive Win |url=https://www.newsweek.com/oliver-anthony-joe-rogan-win-viral-song-success-1820169 |access-date=August 18, 2023 |work=Newsweek |date=August 16, 2023 |language=en |quote=holding four of the top 10 spots on the iTunes song chart […] tracks "Ain't Gotta Dollar" and "I've Got to Get Sober" sitting at second and third}}
"Aint Gotta Dollar", a song about self-reliance without spending money,{{cite news |first=Scottie |last=Andrew |title=This little-known country song became a chart-topping anthem for conservatives almost overnight |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/17/entertainment/oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond-cec/index.html |access-date=August 17, 2023 |work=CNN |language=en |quote="Aint Gotta Dollar," a ditty about making one's own joy and comfort in lieu of spending}} and ranked Anthony's fourth best by Taste of Country,{{cite news |first1=Billy |last1=Dukes |title=16 Oliver Anthony Songs That Prove 'Rich Men North of Richmond' Is No Fluke Read More: 16 Oliver Anthony Songs That Prove 'Rich Men ...' Is No Fluke |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/oliver-anthony-songs/ |access-date=August 21, 2023 |work=Taste of Country |publisher=Townsquare Media |language=en |quote=No. 4: "Ain't Gotta Dollar"}} reached number 1 on the Viral 50 list in Spotify and No. 2 on iTunes.{{cite news |title=Oliver Anthony to go on tour following 'Rich Men North of Richmond' going viral |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/other/oliver-anthony-to-go-on-tour-following-rich-men-north-of-richmond-going-viral/ar-AA1fbSJS |access-date=August 18, 2023 |work=MSN |date=August 13, 2023 |language=en |quote=ranking No. 1 on iTunes. Another one of his songs, "Ain't Gotta Dollar," is No. 2}} Anthony said that members of the public had reached out to tell him that the song had connected with them powerfully.{{cite web |last1=Rutz |first1=David |title=Country singer says Oliver Anthony's hit song goes back to 'roots' of the genre: 'Just speaks a lot of truth' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/country-singer-oliver-anthonys-hit-song-goes-back-roots-genre-just-speaks-lot-truth |website=Fox News |access-date=August 30, 2023 |date=August 18, 2023}}
In a Facebook post on August 17, Anthony described what he believes to be the reasons for his popularity: "I wrote the music I wrote because I was suffering with mental health and depression. These songs have connected with millions of people on such a deep level because they're being sung by someone feeling the words in the very moment they were being sung. No editing, no agent, no bullshit. Just some idiot and his guitar."
Anthony's second documented public concert, in Moyock, North Carolina, opened in what Billboard described as "a unique fashion", with him reading a passage from the Bible.{{cite magazine |first1=Jessica |last1=Nicholson |title=Oliver Anthony Brings 'Rich Men' Hit to Weekend North Carolina Show |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/oliver-anthony-moyock-north-carolina-concert-review/a-canine-affair/ |access-date=August 22, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |date=August 22, 2023 |language=en |quote=began his afternoon set in a unique fashion; not with crashing cymbals or jangly guitar rhythms, but with prayer. The crowd stayed quiet as Anthony followed by reading a biblical scripture}}
= "Rich Men North of Richmond" =
{{main|Rich Men North of Richmond}}
The video of Anthony performing "Rich Men North of Richmond" was uploaded to YouTube on August 8, 2023, and immediately went viral. Billboard described it as taking on "politicians, taxes, welfare and other issues from a struggling working man's perspective", and various news sources described themes in it as anti-establishment, conservative, or conspiratorial. It was further promoted by personalities including singer-songwriter John Rich, podcaster Joe Rogan, and conservative commentators Jack Posobiec and Matt Walsh.{{cite news |first1=Joe |last1=Coscarelli |first2=Marc |last2=Tracy |title=How 'Rich Men North of Richmond' Reached the Top of the Charts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/arts/music/rich-men-north-of-richmond-oliver-anthony.html |access-date=August 22, 2023 |work=New York Times |date=August 21, 2023 |language=en |quote=Boosted early on by influential conservative pundits and media figures like Jack Posobiec}} The song went to number 1 on the U.S. iTunes all-genres chart within days,{{Cite magazine |last=Nicholson |first=Jessica |date=August 12, 2023 |title='Rich Men North of Richmond' Viral Hitmaker Oliver Anthony: 5 Things You Need to Know |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/oliver-anthony-rich-men-from-north-of-richmond-facts/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{cite magazine |last=Nicholson |first=Jessica |date=August 14, 2023 |title=Jamey Johnson Joins Viral Hitmaker Oliver Anthony to Perform 'In Color' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/country/jamey-johnson-in-color-oliver-anthony-rich-men-richmond-1235391928/ |access-date=August 15, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}}{{cite magazine |last=Hudak |first=Joseph |date=August 11, 2023 |title=Right-Wing Influencers Just Found Their Favorite New Country Song |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/rich-men-north-of-richmond-oliver-anthony-conservative-country-song-1234805701/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=August 16, 2023}} and to number 1 on the Spotify U.S. and Apple Music charts a few days later.{{cite magazine |last=Nicholson |first=Jessica |title=Oliver Anthony on Labels 'Rushing' to Sign Him: 'We Just Want to Take Things Slow' |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/oliver-anthony-industry-rush-signing-rich-men-north-of-richmond/ |access-date=August 17, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817015210/https://www.billboard.com/pro/oliver-anthony-industry-rush-signing-rich-men-north-of-richmond/ |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |language=en |quote=The song also resides at No. 1 on the Spotify Top 50-USA chart […] His song "Ain't Gotta Dollar" is currently No. 1 on Spotify's Viral 50 chart}}{{cite magazine |date=August 16, 2023 |title=Oliver Anthony's Populist, Polarizing 'Rich Men North of Richmond' on Track to Debut at Number One |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond-aiming-for-number-one-debut-charts-1234807543/ |access-date=August 18, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares called Anthony's performance "unreal Virginia talent."{{Cite web |last=Parks |first=Kristine |date=August 14, 2023 |title=Blue-collar political anthem 'Rich Men North of Richmond' bumps Jason Aldean song out of top spot on chart |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/blue-collar-political-anthem-rich-men-north-richmond-bumps-jason-aldean-song-top-spot-chart |access-date=August 15, 2023 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}} NBC News reported on August 14 that the original video upload had over nine million views in the space of five days, and noted a comment on it which had attracted 11,000 likes: "And just like that you became the voice of 40 or 50 million working men."
= Later output =
All songs Anthony published before "Rich Men North of Richmond" were recorded on his mobile phone.{{cite news |last=Lynch |first=John |date=August 15, 2023 |title=Who is Oliver Anthony and what is "Rich Men North of Richmond?" |language=en |work=WTRF-TV |url=https://www.wtrf.com/west-virginia/who-is-oliver-anthony-and-what-is-rich-men-north-of-richmond/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |quote=raspy country artist from Farmville […] "Rich Men North of Richmond" is the first song of his to be recorded with a real microphone and a real camera and not on his cell phone}}{{cite news |last=Curran |first=Colleen |date=August 14, 2023 |title=Farmville singer Oliver Anthony goes viral with 'Rich Men North of Richmond' |language=en |work=Richmond Times-Dispatch |url=https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/music/oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond-marjorie-taylor-greene/article_3ab90792-3ab1-11ee-8c21-370c1732aa9a.html |access-date=August 16, 2023 |quote=He has posted over a dozen original songs that he shot and recorded on his cellphone such as "I've Got to Get Sober" and "Ain't Gotta Dollar." […] Rich, a country music singer-songwriter and conservative, has offered to produce Anthony's album}} Within days of the song's release, John Rich publicly offered to produce Anthony's first album. On August 16, Billboard talked of a music industry "feeding frenzy" for his signature, reporting that one label head had told them, "I don't think I've ever seen anything like this before." Anthony himself wrote on his Facebook page on the same day that "Everyone in the 'industry' is rushing me into signing something, but we just want to take things slow right now." He also wrote that "We are working on a full line up of shows" with space for bigger audiences. On August 17, Anthony wrote further, "People in the music industry give me blank stares when I brush off 8 million dollar offers. 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."
Draven Riffe of Radiowv told Billboard in an interview published August 19 that he is Anthony's co-manager, together with Brian Prentice.{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/music/country/oliver-anthony-manager-rich-men-north-of-richmond-interview-exclusive-1235396104/ |title= Oliver Anthony's Manager on the Viral Success of 'Rich Men North of Richmond' and Bigger Mission: 'God has Chosen to Speak Through Oliver': Exclusive |magazine=Billboard |date=August 19, 2023 |access-date=August 20, 2023}}{{cite news |first1=Colter |last1=Anstaett |title=Oliver Anthony concert provides boost to Currituck County businesses |url=https://www.wtkr.com/news/in-the-community/northeastern-north-carolina/oliver-anthony-concert-provides-boost-to-currituck-county-businesses |access-date=August 22, 2023 |work=WTKR – CBS Channel 3 |date=August 21, 2023 |language=en |quote=Anthony's tour manager, Brian Prentice. "He's the same guy I met five years ago. It hasn't changed him one bit."}} He said that five more acoustic songs had been recorded at Anthony's farm at the same sessions as "Rich Men", to be released soon. There were also concert bookings until the end of 2023, he said.
On August 22, Anthony released a new music video for "I Want to Go Home" via YouTube. Views exceeded one million in 24 hours;{{cite web |url=https://americansongwriter.com/rich-men-north-of-richmond-singer-oliver-anthony-releases-new-song-i-want-to-go-home/ |title= Rich Men North Of Richmond" Singer Oliver Anthony Releases Video for "I Want to Go Home |website=American Singwriter |date=August 21, 2023 |access-date=August 21, 2023 |quote=Just to be clear, I am Piedmont born and raised, not Appalachia," Anthony wrote}} It was followed on September 2 by a video for his song "90 Some Chevy", a song initially released in April that compares certain aspects of romantic love to an older vehicle. A live recording of the same song was also released,{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/oliver-anthony-90-some-chevy-music-video-handgun-1235712039/ | title=Oliver Anthony Releases Music Video for New Single '90 Some Chevy,' Featuring Shots of a Handgun | date=September 2, 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://americansongwriter.com/oliver-anthony-drops-new-video-for-90-some-chevy/ | title=Oliver Anthony Drops New Video for "90 Some Chevy" | date=September 3, 2023 }} with 1.3 million views of the video in two days."{{cite magazine |author1=Ashley Iasimone |title=Oliver Anthony Rolls Out '90 Some Chevy' With Live Performance Video |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/oliver-anthony-90-some-chevy-1235405757/ |access-date=September 5, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |date=September 4, 2023 |language=en |quote="90 Some Chevy," a country love song that could be a classic [...] Since its upload two days ago, Anthony's new "90 Some Chevy" video has accumulated 1.3 million views}}
On March 29, 2024, Anthony announced his debut studio album Hymnal of a Troubled Man's Mind, which was released on March 31.{{cite news |last1=Dukes |first1=Billy |title=Surprise! Oliver Anthony's New Album is Coming Very Soon |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/oliver-anthonys-new-album-hymal-of-a-troubled-mans-mind/ |access-date=April 6, 2024 |work=Taste of Country |date=March 29, 2024}}
Firsts
In addition to being the first songwriter to debut at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with no prior chart history in any form, Anthony is the first male songwriter to chart 13 songs simultaneously in the top 50 Digital Song Sales while still alive—Prince and Michael Jackson exceeded that count only following their deaths.{{cite magazine |last1=Trust |first1=Gary |date=August 21, 2023 |title=Oliver Anthony Music Had 37% of All Country Track Sales Last Week, Led by 'Rich Men North of Richmond' |language=en |magazine=Billboard |agency= |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/oliver-anthony-music-had-37-of-all-country-track-sales-last-week-led-by-rich-men-north-of-richmond/ar-AA1fAov8 |access-date=August 21, 2023 |via=MSN}}
Industry observers noted these milestones were reached despite virtually no radio play;{{cite news |author1=Chris Willman |title=Oliver Anthony Says He's in No Hurry to Sign a Deal: 'People in the Industry Give Me Blank Stares When I Brush Off $8 Million Offers' |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/oliver-anthony-responds-industry-offers-rich-men-north-richmond-1235699012/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |work=Variety |date=August 17, 2023 |quote=even with almost no radio play}} nonetheless, when country music stations such as WGH-FM in Virginia and KBAY in California started playing Anthony, he debuted a few days later at No. 45 on the Country Airplay list.{{cite magazine |author1=Steve Knopper |title=Oliver Anthony's 'Rich Men' Is Taking Off at Radio Without Any Promotion |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/oliver-anthony-rich-men-popular-country-radio-how/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |magazine=Billboard Pro |date=August 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825202332/https://www.billboard.com/pro/oliver-anthony-rich-men-popular-country-radio-how/ |archive-date=August 25, 2023 |quote=Mike "Moose" Smith did something he hadn't done in 40 years. The program director for 97.3 The Eagle, in nearby Norfolk, Va., aired the unknown singer-songwriter's viral smash — "Rich Men North of Richmond" — once every hour}}{{cite magazine |author1=Jim Asker |title=Oliver Anthony Music's 'Rich Men North of Richmond' Debuts on Country Airplay Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond-debuts-country-airplay-chart/ |access-date=August 27, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |date=August 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825195222/https://www.billboard.com/pro/oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond-debuts-country-airplay-chart/ |archive-date=August 25, 2023 |quote=arrives on Billboard's Country Airplay chart (dated Sept. 2) at No. 45 [...] one programmer giving avid support is Bo Matthews, program director at Alpha Media's KBAY, San Jose, Calif}}
Artistry
Anthony plays the resonator guitar, and is said to have a "raspy" or "distinct, gravelly voice and heavy twang";{{cite news |last=Marcin |first=Tim |date=August 16, 2023 |title=Who is Oliver Anthony and what's the deal with 'Rich Men North of Richmond?' |language=en |work=Mashable |url=https://mashable.com/article/oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond-tiktok-song |access-date=August 16, 2023 |quote=He has a clearly defined image [...] a distinct, gravelly voice and heavy twang}} Don Cusic described Anthony's style as straining and sincere, with "a voice that just cuts through."{{cite news |first=Anne |last=Branigin |title=Oliver Anthony and the 'mainstreaming' of conspiracy theories |access-date=August 18, 2023 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818034442/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/08/17/oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond/ |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/08/17/oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond/ |quote=Don Cusic, a professor of music industry history at Belmont University in Nashville, credited the song's popularity to Anthony's style of singing: straining and sincere, full of emotion and conviction […] Anthony's "got a voice that just cuts through," Cusic said}}
Personal life
Anthony was born and raised in the Piedmont area of Virginia and currently resides in Farmville, Virginia.{{cite news |author1=Brian Carlton |title='This ain't Appalachia': Oliver Anthony returns for Farmville concert |url=https://www.farmvilleherald.com/2023/08/this-aint-appalachia-oliver-anthony-returns-for-farmville-concert/ |access-date=August 25, 2023 |work=The Farmville Herald |date=August 24, 2023 |language=en |quote=he pointed out how crazy it was that the online comments have already labeled him as being from "Appalachia". "They're talking about 'oh this is the best music to come out of Appalachia in however many years'," Anthony said. "It's like, do ya'll look on a map? We're in Farmville, this ain't Appalachia."}} As of August 2023, he lived with his wife and two children in a $750 camper on an off-the-grid 90-acre property, where he said he intends to raise livestock.{{cite news |last=Derksen |first=Cheyenne |date=August 14, 2023 |title='Rich Men North of Richmond' hitmaker Oliver Anthony has gone viral with right-wing pundits |language=en |work=The Oklahoman |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/08/14/rich-men-north-of-richmond-hitmaker-oliver-anthony-goes-viral-with-right-wing-pundits-richmond-north/70592248007/ |access-date=August 15, 2023 |quote=The red-bearded farmer, who lives off the grid with his three dogs in Farmville, Virginia, performs the song on a resonator guitar}}{{cite news |last=Saad |first=Nardine |date=August 15, 2023 |title=The right is feeling Oliver Anthony's viral song 'Rich Men North of Richmond.' The left is not |language=en |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-08-15/rich-men-north-of-richmond-oliver-anthony-country-music-politics |access-date=August 15, 2023 |quote=The Farmville, Va., singer — said to be a farmer living off the grid with his three dogs}}{{cite news |date=August 14, 2023 |title=Blowing Up: Oliver Anthony Goes Viral With 'Rich Men North Of Richmond' |language=en |work=KFDI-FM |url=https://www.kfdi.com/2023/08/14/blowing-up-oliver-anthony-goes-viral-with-rich-men-north-of-richmond/ |access-date=August 15, 2023 |quote=he hopes to raise livestock}}
Anthony dropped out of high school in 2010{{cite news |first1=Gina |last1=Vivinetto |title=Who is Oliver Anthony? His song 'Rich Men North of Richmond' is topping the country charts |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/music/oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond-song-meaning-rcna100667 |access-date=August 19, 2023 |work=Today (American TV program) |date=August 18, 2023 |quote=he dropped out of high school in 2010}} at the age of 17, and later secured a General Educational Development diploma;{{cite magazine |first=Rania |last=Aniftos |title=Oliver Anthony Introduces Himself Amid 'Rich Men North Of Richmond' Success |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/oliver-anthony-introduces-himself-rich-men-north-of-richmond-1235394710/ |access-date=August 17, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |date=August 17, 2023 |language=en |quote=He dropped out of high school at age 17, but went on to earn his GED}} he went on to work in industrial jobs in North Carolina and Virginia. At a paper mill in North Carolina, he had a work accident in 2013 which fractured his skull, leaving him unable to work for half a year.{{cite news |first1=Alex |last1=Blair |title=Overnight sensation Oliver Anthony reveals why he turned down $12.5 million deal |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/overnight-sensation-oliver-anthony-reveals-why-he-turned-down-125-million-deal/news-story/cc3782103be78082b72b7a7b0136024b |access-date=August 20, 2023 |work=News Corp Australia |date=August 18, 2023 |language=en |quote=worked various plant jobs in North Carolina before a life-altering accident led him back to Virginia}}{{cite news |date=August 18, 2023 |title='Rich Men North of Richmond' singer says he doesn't want $8M record deal, reveals real name |language=en |work=Richmond Times-Dispatch |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/nation-world/rich-men-north-of-richmond-singer-says-he-doesnt-want-8m-record-deal-reveals-real/article_7038a936-5d44-55eb-88ab-99669f0c2403.html |access-date=August 20, 2023 |quote=worked 3rd shift, 6 days a week for $14.50 an hour in a living hell. In 2013, I had a bad fall at work and fractured my skull. It forced me to move back home to Virginia. Due to complications from the injury, it took me 6 months or so before I could work again |via=St. Louis Post-Dispatch}} He wrote in a Facebook post that from 2014 through 2023 he worked in outside sales in manufacturing, visiting factories and job sites.{{Cite web |last=Curran |first=Colleen |date=August 18, 2023 |title='Rich Men North of Richmond' singer doesn't want $8 million record deal, reveals real name |url=https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/music/rich-men-north-of-richmond-oliver-anthony-christopher-lunsford-country-song-farmville-blue-collar-anthem/article_84270630-3db4-11ee-89f3-73935218eff9.html |access-date=August 21, 2023 |website=Richmond Times-Dispatch |language=en}}
Anthony said in a video in August 2023 that he is nonpartisan: "I sit pretty dead center down the aisle on politics and always have."{{cite news |last=Dukes |first=Billy |date=August 15, 2023 |title=Here Are the Lyrics to Oliver Anthony's 'Rich Men North of Richmond' |language=en |website=Taste of Country |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/oliver-anthony-rich-men-north-of-richmond-lyrics/ |access-date=August 15, 2023 |quote=the former factory worker says he sits in the center of the road politically […] Oliver Anthony (real name: Christopher Anthony Lunsford)}} Later that month, he said he was bothered by others who "wrap politics" around his work.{{cite news |title=In new Oliver Anthony video, singer rejects the left and the right, and addresses the line about Fudge Rounds |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2023/08/25/oliver-anthony-video-rich-men-north-of-richmond-fudge-rounds/stories/202308250076 |author=Scott Mervis |access-date=August 25, 2023 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=August 25, 2023 |quote=It's bothered him most, he says, to see people "wrap politics" around this.}} "I see the right trying to characterize me as one of their own, and I see the left trying to discredit me, I guess in retaliation. That shit's got to stop", he said.{{cite web |first=Ethan |last=Shanfield |url= https://variety.com/2023/music/news/oliver-anthony-video-politics-gop-debate-slams-conservatives-liberals-1235704887/ |title=Oliver Anthony Clarifies Politics in Teary-Eyed Video, Addresses GOP Debate Question: 'Rich Men' Is 'Written About the People on That Stage' |website=Variety |date=August 25, 2023 |access-date=August 25, 2023 |quote=Anthony went on to emphasize that "Rich Men North of Richmond" is about people, not politics.}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of studio album, with selected details and chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Details ! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peaks |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | US Heat. {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/Oliver-Anthony-Music/chart-history/TLN|title=Oliver Anthony Music Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 9, 2024}} |
|---|
| scope="row" | Hymnal of a Troubled Man's Mind
|
| 13 |
= Singles =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released, certifications and album names ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year ! scope="col" colspan="10" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | US {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/Oliver-Anthony-Music/chart-history/HSI|title=Oliver Anthony Music Chart History (Billboard Hot 100)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 26, 2023}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | US ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | US ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | AUS ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | CAN ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | IRE ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | NZ ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | SWE ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | UK ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%" | WW |
|---|
| scope="row" | "Aint Gotta Dollar"
| rowspan="4" | 2022 | 82 || 21 || — || — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Aint Gotta Dollar" did not enter the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, but peaked at number 8 on the Canadian Digital Song Sales chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/oliver-anthony-music/chart-history/CNS|title=Oliver Anthony Music Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 26, 2023}}}} || — || — || — || — || — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Rich Man's Gold"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Rich Man's Gold" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 15 on the Digital Song Sales chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/oliver-anthony-music/chart-history/HDS|title=Oliver Anthony Music Chart History (Digital Song Sales)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 26, 2023}}}} || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Rich Man's Gold" did not enter the Hot Country Songs chart, but peaked at number 10 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/oliver-anthony-music/chart-history/CDT|title=Oliver Anthony Music Chart History (Country Digital Song Sales)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 26, 2023}}}} || — || — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Rich Man's Gold" did not enter the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, but peaked at number 49 on the Canadian Digital Song Sales chart.}} || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2" | Hymnal of a Troubled Man's Mind |
| scope="row" | "Cobwebs and Cocaine"{{cite magazine |last1=Trust |first1=Gary |last2=Caulfield |first2=Keith |title=Oliver Anthony Music Had 37% of All Country Track Sales Last Week, Led by 'Rich Men North of Richmond' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/oliver-anthony-country-track-sales-last-week-1235397027/ |access-date=August 22, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |date=August 21, 2023}}
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Virginia"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Virginia" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 11 on the Digital Song Sales chart.}} || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Virginia" did not enter the Hot Country Songs chart, but peaked at number 7 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart.}} || — || — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Virginia" did not enter the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, but peaked at number 35 on the Canadian Digital Song Sales chart.}} || — || — || — || — || — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Hell on Earth"
| rowspan="12" | 2023 | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Hell on Earth" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 37 on the Digital Song Sales chart.}} || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Hell on Earth" did not enter the Hot Country Songs chart, but peaked at number 21 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart.}} || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | Hymnal of a Troubled Man's Mind |
| scope="row" | "Between You & Me"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Between You & Me" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 43 on the Digital Song Sales chart.}} || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Between You & Me" did not enter the Hot Country Songs chart, but peaked at number 25 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart.}} || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Feeling Purdy Good"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Feeling Purdy Good" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 21 on the Digital Song Sales chart.}} || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Feeling Purdy Good" did not enter the Hot Country Songs chart, but peaked at number 14 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart.}} || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="4" | Hymnal of a Troubled Man's Mind |
| scope="row" | "I Want to Go Home"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"I Want to Go Home" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 1 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.}} || 27 || — || — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"I Want to Go Home" did not enter the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, but peaked at number 5 on the Canadian Digital Song Sales chart.}} || — || — || — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"I Want to Go Home" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 43 on the Singles Sales Chart.}} || — | |
| scope="row" | "Always Love You (Like a Good Ole Dog)"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Always Love You (Like a Good Ole Dog)" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 19 on the Digital Song Sales chart.}} || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Always Love You (Like a Good Ole Dog)" did not enter the Hot Country Songs chart, but peaked at number 12 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart.}} || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Doggonit"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Doggonit" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 23 on the Digital Song Sales chart.}} || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Doggonit" did not enter the Hot Country Songs chart, but peaked at number 16 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart.}} || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Stuck Living in the New World"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Stuck Living in the New World" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 24 on the Digital Song Sales chart.}} || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Stuck Living in the New World" did not enter the Hot Country Songs chart, but peaked at number 17 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart.}} || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row" | "Long Gone"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "VCR Kid"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | Hymnal of a Troubled Man's Mind |
| scope="row" | "90 Some Chevy"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"90 Some Chevy" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 29 on the Digital Song Sales chart.}} || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"90 Some Chevy" did not enter the Hot Country Songs chart, but peaked at number 21 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart.}} || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "I've Got to Get Sober"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"I've Got to Get Sober" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 22 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/oliver-anthony-music/chart-history/hbu/|title=Oliver Anthony Music Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 24, 2025}}}} || 35 || — || — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"I've Got to Get Sober" did not enter the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, but peaked at number 16 on the Canadian Digital Song Sales chart.}} || — || — || — || — || — | | Hymnal of a Troubled Man's Mind |
| scope="row" | "Rich Men North of Richmond"
| 1 || 1 || 40 || 14 || 3 || 10 || 14 || 26 || 23 || 2 |
| {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Cowboys and Sunsets"{{cite news |last1=Dukes |first1=Billy |title=Oliver Anthony Preparing to Leave Music Industry |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/oliver-anthony-leaving-music-industry/ |access-date=June 7, 2025 |work=Taste of Country |date=October 24, 2024}}
| 2024 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |rowspan="2" {{TBA}} |
| scope="row" | "Scornful Woman"{{cite news |last1=Piner |first1=Chris |title=Oliver Anthony Strikes a Chord With Joe Rogan Over Heartbreaking New Song 'Scornful Woman' |url=https://americansongwriter.com/oliver-anthony-strikes-a-chord-with-joe-rogan-over-heartbreaking-new-song-scornful-woman/ |access-date=June 7, 2025 |work=American Songwriter |date=June 4, 2025}}
| 2025 | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Scornful Woman" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 2 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.}} || 37 || — || — || 89 || — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Scornful Woman" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 24 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2025-06-20|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=June 20, 2025|access-date=June 20, 2025}}}} || — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Scornful Woman" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 95 on the Singles Sales Chart.}} || — | |
| colspan="14" style="font-size:85%" | "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |
Notes
{{notelist-ua}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://oliveranthonymusic.com/}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anthony, Oliver}}
Category:21st-century American male singers
Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters
Category:American country singer-songwriters
Category:American male singer-songwriters
Category:American people of English descent
Category:American people of Irish descent
Category:American people of German descent
Category:American people of Scottish descent
Category:Country musicians from Virginia
Category:People from Farmville, Virginia
Category:Singer-songwriters from Virginia
Category:American folk singers
Category:American acoustic guitarists
Category:American folk guitarists
Category:21st-century American guitarists
Category:American male guitarists