An Unlikely Hit Song

Oliver Anthony has become an overnight sensation with his first hit song “Rich Men North Of Richmond.” The song embodies the spirit of outlaw country with its rebellious attitude. It delves into social and political themes, challenging the power dynamics and shedding light on the struggles faced by everyday people.

With its raw lyrics and haunting melodies, this song exemplifies the rebellious spirit that defines the genre, inviting listeners to traverse the untamed landscapes of Americana through a lens of rugged authenticity.

With its powerful lyrics such as “In the realm north of Richmond, these affluent tycoons crave dominion, seeking to dictate your thoughts and deeds. Unbeknownst to them, you possess awareness they fail to perceive. Your hard-earned dollar, diminished and endlessly taxed, a consequence of the rich men’s acts,” this song has rapidly ascended to resounding success by resonating deeply with countless individuals, capturing the shared frustrations that permeate our current times.

But what do we know about Oliver Anthony?

When it comes to Oliver Anthony, the enigmatic artist who has garnered significant attention, there is limited information available. He remains a mysterious figure, allowing his music to take center stage and speak on his behalf. Despite the lack of personal details, it is his captivating presence, evocative storytelling, and ability to strike a chord with audiences that have propelled him into the spotlight.

But here’s a list of seven things we know for certain.

  • He has plans to start his own farm. Not sure how he will have time now that he is a country music sensation, but Blake Shelton does it.
  • Oliver has a full project on the way. He has been working on other music and there is more that you can find on YouTube.
  • Even though it may not seem like it, he says he is “dead center” politically. Oliver Anthony talked about it and his song saying, “It touches base on human trafficking and the atrocities that… I’ll say this, I sit pretty dead center down the aisle on politics and always have. I remember as a kid the conservatives wanting war and me not understanding that, and I remember a lot of the controversies when the left took office, and it seems like both sides serve the same master and that master is not someone of any good to the people of this country.”
  • He is at the top of the iTunes charts.
  • John Rich offered to produce his album. It is unknown if he has taken him up on the offer yet or not, though.
  • This video was his first one to film with anything other than a cell phone camera.
  • Oliver only recently got a Twitter account and already has over 230K followers.

Now let me introduce you to Oliver Anthony’s latest musical offering, freshly unveiled on YouTube, this is called “I Want To Go Home.”

As Oliver Anthony continues to blaze his trail in the realm of outlaw country music, his raw talent, lyrical prowess foreshadow a future that is undeniably bright. With each heartfelt melody and every soul-stirring performance, he solidifies his place among the genre’s greats, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of listeners. As we eagerly anticipate the chapters yet to be written in his musical journey, one thing remains certain: Oliver Anthony’s star is on a relentless ascent, destined to shine brightly in the ever-evolving landscape of outlaw country music.

With a recent tweet declaring, “You weren’t born to just pay bills and die,” Oliver Anthony emerges as a beacon of positivity for hardworking, everyday Americans who find themselves lost amidst the frustrations of a world that appears to have overlooked them. His music resonates deeply, offering solace and inspiration to those yearning for a brighter path, reminding them that their dreams and aspirations deserve to be pursued with unwavering determination.

Thank you for that message Oliver.


By John Wesley Karson

John Wesley Karson grew up in Texas in the 1960’s and 70’s and was a fan of the country music scene thriving in Austin and Houston. He first began working in radio as a teenager at KPFT in Houston, a listener supported radio station which featured many of the outlaw country artists of that time. He worked on a volunteer basis at first, cleaning up around the station, emptying trash and taking every opportunity afforded him to learn the technical aspects of running the stations equipment. Eventually he was asked to operate the control board for Jerry Jeff Walker one night when he was guest hosting a radio show. It was at that point John was hooked and he knew his future would be in broadcasting. After 45 years in the broadcasting business, working as a commercial radio disc jockey and talk show host, John Wesley Karson retired in Bakersfield in 2020. When his friend Danny Hill bought KVLI radio in Lake Isabella, California in 2021 and launched Outlaw Country Radio 103.7FM, he asked John if he would like to host a weekend show. He gave John Wesley complete creative control over the shows content and John created “The Icons of Outlaw Country”. “It’s a complete labor of love,” John said, “This is the music I grew up listening to in Texas and I just want to share it with people as a way of honoring the contributions these great artist’s made to the world.” “It’s a celebration of the individual, over the collective and the rights as free and sovereign men and women to create what first and foremost pleased them, not some record company executive occupying space in an office building in lower Manhattan or West Los Angeles. “The right of the artist to demand control of their own destiny and their own intellectual property is a sacred right and only when the artist is able to achieve this is the artist truly free to create. Music is practically the only art form where the rights of the artist are superseded by some corporate weasel in a suit and tie sipping decaf lattes from the back of a limo. “As Ayn Rand put it, a 'Right'…means freedom from compulsion, coercion or interference by other men and that applies to record companies and producers as well as governments.” John Wesley Karson had a front row seat long before the term “Outlaw Country” was even used to describe what was known at that time as the “Cosmic Cowboy” revolution. John’s radio career spanned over four decades and each week he shares music and insight into these icons of country music, taking his listeners on a two hour sonic journey through the past and into the present state of the world of country music from his studios in Bakersfield, California.