Oliver Anthony is still performing live a little over a year after going viral.
Oliver Anthony (real name: Christopher Lunsford) was introduced to the world on August 8, 2023, when a video of his self-penned song “Rich Men North Of Richmond” was uploaded to radiowv’s YouTube.
As of August 16, 2024, the video had 159 million views on YouTube. This does not count the versions people posted on various social media platforms.
The public loved Anthony’s vulnerability and openness about his troubles with alcoholism and mental illness. They also enjoyed his “stick it to them” attitude about politics and the fact that he read from the Bible at his shows.
Thanks to his unprecedented success, Oliver launched a world tour, recorded a 2.5-hour podcast with Joe Rogan, made his Grand Ole Opry debut, played at the legendary Houston Rodeo, and had a two-night gig at the historic Ryman Auditorium.
Anthony reflected on the last year in a video posted to his social media accounts.
He opened up about what his success has done for him and his family financially.
“I’m almost through this tour this year. I’ve done it without a label. I’ve done it without sponsors. I haven’t taken a dime from anyone … I never have to work again for the rest of my life … Just the interest I’ve made off the money already would at least buy my groceries and keep my family comfortable.”
He continued, “That is the only financial goal I had – was just to be financially free. To not owe anything to a bank or to another man. To just have my land and my house with a roof that doesn’t leak. And a place that I can grow a garden and raise a few cows and sheep and be alive. And try to live my life the way my grandparents lived their lives.”
Despite never having to work again, Anthony still has a few more tour dates lined up for 2024.
To prepare for his Friday (August 16) show at the West Virginia State Fair, he started working on a new cover of The Band’s “The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down.” The Band released the song in 1969 and is about the economic and social distress of the narrator, who is a poor Southerner, during the last year of the Civil War.
It’s a very telling song choice with all that is going on this year in our country. Fans on social media were loving his cover, with some being surprised he didn’t already know the song.
Watch Oliver Anthony rehearse “The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down” in the video below.