Do You Think Oliver Anthony Regrets Not Signing One Of Those Juicy Record Deals He Was Offered Earlier This Year?
Remember this guy? Oliver Anthony?
Labels were legit climbing over each other, one-upping offer after offer, THROWING money at this guy in hopes of signing him
He had every label in Nashville offering him $8 million just to sign and distribute "Rich Men Of The North". He even had rap artists trying to poach him. But he said no, fuck that to everybody. He wasn't for sale, echoing the entire point of his viral song.
Which only stoked the flames and made everybody suck his dick even more.
Music journalist Chaps compared him to Tyler Childers and Zach Bryan
(nbd)
It was the quintessence of us being prisoners of the moment. A pure, honest song, put out on youtube, resonating with the grass roots, and then going viral amongst the masses. Not all that uncommon in todays day and age, yet everybody freaked out and started dubbing this guy the next big thing and losing their minds over him.
He'd eventually sign a management deal, but it's just to help book tour dates, he refuses to sign anything having to do with production, ownership, or distribution of his music.
When we were reviewing the past year in music on our Backstage pod, (a very uneventful year to be honest), and Anthony's name came up, it was one of those true, "wow, remember that guy" moments.
Lets rewind to those golden days when Anthony was the belle of the ball, the flavor of the month, the artist every record label wanted to woo. The offers poured in, each more lavish than the last, promising fame, fortune, and a small personal island.
Anthony, ever the idealist, thought, "Why rush into such a binding commitment?" In an act of unparalleled wisdom, he decided to wait for something better. After all, who wants to be a sellout? Not Anthony Oliver! He'd rather play his heart out in dingy bars and street corners, keeping it real, keeping it underground, where the true art happens.
I honestly respect it.
I would have taken the money so fast your head would spin.
Now, as record deals fly by like shooting stars, never to be seen again, Anthony sits atop his throne of indie integrity, surrounded by a moat of could-haves and should-haves. He basks in the glory of what almost was, wearing his cloak of obscurity like a badge of honor. Let's not forget the endless joy of ramen dinners and the thrill of dodging rent - who would give that up for a life of luxury?
So let's raise our glasses to Oliver Anthony, the man who said no to millions. While others might foolishly leap at the chance for success and financial stability, Anthony stands as a beacon of resistance, a testament to the path less traveled, and significantly less profitable. Here's to you, Anthony, may your artistic soul forever find solace in the warm embrace of obscurity and the occasional "Remember him?" conversations.
Watch The Full Episode Here -