Oliver Anthony to Perform at Cook’s Garage

LUBBOCK, TX - Music enthusiasts in the heart of West Texas are gearing up for an electrifying performance by Oliver Anthony at Cook’s Garage on April 6. The event promises an unforgettable evening of soulful tunes and energetic vibes, set against the backdrop of Lubbock's vibrant music scene.

Christopher Anthony Lunsford, professionally known as Oliver Anthony Music (or simply Oliver Anthony), is an American country-folk singer-songwriter. His music contains a unique fusion of genres spanning rock, blues, folk, and country. Hailing from Virginia, Anthony named his band after his grandfather, who was a musician during the Depression. With this, Oliver Anthony brings a distinct flair to his music, embodying the simple music structure of the 1920s Virginia folk songs his grandfather played.

Anthony became a viral sensation in August 2023 after performing and writing his own music for several years locally. Struggling with alcohol, anxiety, and depression, as his viral hit song “Rich Men North of Richmond” states in one of the verses, Anthony decided to go sober in July, 30 days before “Rich Men” was uploaded to YouTube. Anthony told Joe Rogan on Rogan's podcast show, "I broke down and promised God that I would get sober if he helped me follow my dream."

Around 30 days later, Anthony was asked to record a video of “Rich Men” by a local country station for YouTube. Immediately, the song became a viral hit and within days of its release, topped sales and streaming charts. The song debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making Oliver Anthony Music the first artist to debut atop the chart without any prior chart history in any form or genre.

The song, aimed directly at the culture wars raging across America, received praise and criticism from conservative and liberal politicians alike and was discussed in depth on news shows and political websites. Although Republican pundits initially praised the song’s criticism of liberal ideology, Anthony himself said, “They are trying to put me in a bucket. This song is critical of both Democratic and Republican politicians.”

Billboard describes the song as taking on "politicians, taxes, welfare and other issues from a struggling working man's perspective", and various news sources described themes in it as anti-establishment, conservative, or conspiratorial. Singer-songwriter John Rich, conservative commentator Matt Walsh, but most importantly, podcaster Joe Rogan, promoted it soon after its release. The song went to number 1 on the iTunes all-genres chart, and to number 1 on the Spotify U.S. and Apple Music charts a few days later. The original video upload had over nine million views in the space of five days. "And just like that you became the voice of 40 or 50 million working men," stated NBC News in an article published about the song.

Anthony’s other music has continued to perform extremely well on the charts, despite the fact that all of his songs come from the YouTube recordings he took on his phone. Anthony couldn’t afford to produce the tracks in a studio so he ripped them himself from the old recordings and published them himself. He has famously turned down millions of music contract dollars from big-time studios to stay true to his anti-establishment sentiment. On August 17, Anthony wrote on the Meta platform, "People in the music industry give me blank stares when I brush off 8 million dollar offers. I don't want 6 tour buses, 15 tractor trailers and a jet. I don't want to play stadium shows, I don't want to be in the spotlight."

"Everyone in the 'industry' is rushing me into signing something, but we just want to take things slow right now….We are working on a full lineup of shows (with space for bigger audiences.)”

Despite the lack of formal production, his other songs such as “I Want to Go Home” and “Ain’t Got a Dollar” have also become viral, critical and billboard hits, garnering multiple millions of views and streams across all platforms. All of which were recorded and ripped from those old YouTube videos. It is all summed up in Anthony’s own words published on his Meta platform accounts.

"I wrote the music I wrote because I was suffering with mental health and depression. These songs have connected with millions of people on such a deep level because they're being sung by someone feeling the words in the very moment they were being sung. No editing, no agent, no bullshit. Just some idiot and his guitar," said Anthony.

Cook’s Garage, a Lubbock venue known for its welcoming outdoor atmosphere, top-notch acoustics, and rustic old signage, provides the perfect setting for Oliver Anthony to showcase his talent. Located in Lubbock, a city renowned as the birthplace of legendary musicians such as Buddy Holly, the venue has grown to become a hub for both local and touring artists and the premier outdoor music venue in west Texas.

Tickets for the event are selling fast with growing anticipation and excitement surrounding Oliver Anthony's upcoming performance. Whether you're a die-hard fan or simply looking to experience the magic of a simple Virginia folk singer, mark your calendars for April 6 and get ready to rock out at Cook’s Garage in Lubbock.

Oliver Anthony tickets are $35 ea. on Eventbrite. VIP tables are already sold out. Get tickets here.