“I Never Have To Work Again”- Oliver Anthony Reflects On How His Life Has Changed On The Anniversary Of “Rich Men Of North Richmond”

It’s officially been a year since Oliver Anthony went viral from his Radio WV “Rich Men North Of Richmond” video.

The video of Oliver Anthony Music (whose real name is Chris Lunsford) singing about the struggles of the working class took off, completely changing his life. The man who lived pretty much off the grid was quickly offered million-dollar record deals, tour offers, artists clamoring to become his mentor, and much more.

Of course the song wasn’t without controversy, with many (including artists like Maren Morris and Jason Isbell) criticizing “Rich Men North of Richmond” for supposedly making fun of people on welfare.

But the criticism didn’t hurt the song’s success – and honestly, it probably helped it – and “Rich Men North of Richmond” became one of the biggest songs of 2023, even becoming a topic at the GOP presidential debate.

While Anthony initially said that he did not want to become an artist and was just writing music that helped him through his mental health struggles, he changed his tune after seeing the impact “Rich Men North Of Richmond” and his other original songs had on listeners.

Anthony began playing local shows, which became paid shows, festivals, and a world tour. He even made his Grand Ole Opry debut. The single reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making history as the first artist to debut with a number-one single.

To say his breakout song was a success is an understatement. And yesterday, as the singer reflected on how the track has changed his life, he took to his YouTube channel to chat with fans about his gratitude and what’s to come.

“The most important thing that I want to tell you, that I want to get across while you’re still here watching, is that I appreciate you. I am almost through this tour this year. I have done it without a label. I have done it without any sponsors. I have not taken a dime from anyone.

You guys made this possible, you guys…by the Lord’s will, you guys have truly changed my life forever.

I never have to work again for the rest of my life. If I deleted all my social media accounts and just wrote songs and uploaded them, and hid out here in the woods for the rest of my life, just the interest off the money I’ve made already would buy my groceries and keep my family comfortable.

That means a lot to me. That is the only financial goal I had, was just to be financially free. To not owe anything to a bank or a man. To have my land and a house with a roof that doesn’t leak.”

Anthony continues to say that he strives to live the way his grandparents lived, where he drew inspiration for his stage name, Oliver Anthony. While Anthony does not have to work, as he mentioned, he feels in debt to his fans to keep making music that speaks his truth and shows how he feels the world is headed.

As we know, Anthony has some strong social views that he intertwines with his lyrics but packs a powerful punch for those who resonate with it.

He continues to note that while he is here today, looking back on all the good social attention the Radio WV video has brought him, he wishes he didn’t have to use media. He believes that it’s taking up our energy in a negative way.

“I’d just like to see the world go back to a time when we were really living. When we weren’t stuck in this sort of dream-like state, we were in. I believe that social media and the internet and general have taken us away from our own consciousness.”

So, what comes next for Anthony? He wholeheartedly believes in a message and wants to help others. But what he plans to do next has nothing to do with music.

“I have taken the money that I made from Richmond, and I’ve started buying properties in West Virginia. I bought some abandoned farms in Virginia that I am in the process of revitalizing.

I plan to turn these farms into places where people can go and learn how to can food and learn how to raise animals. People who have just gotten out of rehab, with PTSD, and people who are depressed and suicidal, can come here and reconnect with nature and learn to exist outside of a system that has just kind of been placed on us as a generation.”

Anthony hopes that through this, he can help people return to a simpler and “old way” of life. He hopes that, eventually, it will expand, but he wants to offer a place for people who need it. He jokes that he feels like this is the best use of the money he quickly acquired from the viral video, streams, and tour because he does not need to spend it on “dumb sh*t.”

While this project is at the forefront of his mind, he notes that he has at least twelve songs written that he can release when he is ready for the music to be the focal point one day. He promises another album is coming one day but does not give an exact timeline. He notes that his goal for next year is to play 12 shows in towns and counties that have not had live music come to them in a very long time and might be finding themselves in a financial deficit. He hopes to loop in local vendors that can help boost these town’s economies.

“I want to start doing things that make a difference… If I’m going to make this music thing a long-term part of my life, I’ve got to start doing it my way. Independent of Nashville, independent of the music industry. It’s just got to be DIY.

So between the farm properties and the shows that can start helping the rural communities out…it’s ambitious thinking.”

He abruptly ends the video by saying that he hopes to intertwine all his international fans with his fans in the United States.

While many probably did not see Anthony going in this direction, he has always followed his own path and done things his way. Anthony has a lot of ideas for the future and his fanbase, and I hope he can make it come true. He’s got some diehard followers out there, so I am sure he will get the support needed to achieve all his goals.

Cheers to one year since “Rich Men North Of Richmond.”

While you’re here, fire up the video that started it all.