A one-hit wonder? I’m not so sure about that.
Oliver Anthony has taken the country by storm since a performance of his song “Rich Men North of Richmond” posted by Radio WV went insanely viral a few weeks ago, racking up 56 million views on YouTube and over 45 million streams on Spotify.
After the video began taking off, Anthony (whose real name is Christopher Anthony Lunsford) performed to a packed crowd at a family farmer’s market in North Carolina, where he was joined by country legend Jamey Johnson, and has even appeared on an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, where he revealed that he’s kept in contact with Johnson who has offered him advice as he starts his music career.
Anthony also revealed that he’s turned down $8 million offers that have started coming in from people trying to take advantage of his viral success, as “Rich Men North of Richmond” spent two weeks at #1 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart.
But he doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to head out on some massive tour or start playing arenas – and he’s talking about his whirlwind experience in a teaser that he shared for a brand new song.
Called “If It’s The Lord’s Will,” the song seems to be a response to the record labels that jumped in to capitalize on Anthony’s overnight success:
“Well they called me a one-hit wonder
A flash in the pan
Better sign on the line while you still can
We’ll give you four tour buses and a five piece band
They’ll be shoutin’ your name all over the land
But that ain’t me
It ain’t what I am
I’m just the son of a son of a free-livin’ man
And I still got a roof up over my head
A good-hearted woman lyin’ in my bed
Some damn good fellas that call me a friend
An old double barrel that my grandad did
And if it’s the Lord’s will, then I will”
With over 1 million views already, fans were quick to jump on the new song and beg Anthony to release a full version.
Check it out – because this one might just be Oliver Anthony’s next viral song once it drops.
