In 2021, Oliver Anthony embarked on a musical path, leveraging his love for folk music to bring forth songs such as “Ain’t Gotta Dollar” and “Rich Man’s Gold.” Unburdened by thoughts of wealth and fame, this country singer dedicated himself to sharing his musical creations with his fans. However, destiny had other designs when he uploaded “Rich Men North of Richmond” in August 2023, which soon dominated the music industry and charts. Now, more than a year later, Anthony has decided to disclose his insights regarding the music industry after experiencing its offerings firsthand.

What I've Learned From The Music Industry So Far

Initial Focus and Mindset

At the outset, our main concern was to determine what we believed to be God's purpose in our lives and figure out how to pursue it. It became evident that being surrounded by those with different mindsets posed a challenge. When collaborating with people solely focused on making money, it becomes nearly impossible to create something centered around a higher purpose. As Anthony shared, “There’s no way to create something that’s focused around God when you’re working with people who are just focused around making money. And just using you for whatever they can.”

Behind the Curtain of the Music Industry

Anthony got a glimpse behind the scenes and noticed how labels construct a narrative around an artist. He explained, “Find some guy that you can build a character around. Prop him up through your label. Give him a bunch of songs that some kids over at The Hick in Nashville wrote while they were wearing their Crocs and drinking White Claws and hitting golf balls.” This reveals the industry's strategies and how they shape an artist's image.

Rinse and Repeat Model in Music

Anthony expressed his dissatisfaction with the current music model. He emphasized that many songs sound similar to those that have been popular in the past few years, following a repetitive pattern. He stated, “It sounds like every other big song that’s been out in the last five years. It’s just a rinse and repeat model. It serves no purpose, other than it’s just a business.” This highlights the lack of originality and innovation in the industry.

Companies and Chart Landings

According to Anthony, companies invest significant amounts of money to get their songs on the charts. He revealed, “A lot of the music that goes on the charts, the companies actually buy their own song however many times. They’ll spend a million dollars just to jump it up the charts a certain amount where people start to see it.” This shows the commercial aspects and manipulation involved in chart success.

Not Playing the Game

Anthony had no desire to conform to the music industry's game and be part of the system. He recognized the impact of this business model and how it was shaping the industry. As he said, “It’s just a business model that they’ve followed and adapted to. It was evident talking to all these people, and every time I go to town and talk to people in Nashville, I realize how scary this new era is.”