Oliver Anthony and the Rise of the Everyday Heroes

Small Town Farmville, Virginia: From National Attention to Neglect

Seven years ago, the small town of Farmville, Virginia, gained national attention as it hosted the vice presidential debate between Tim Kaine and Mike Pence. Despite the town's population of 8,000, only a few residents were present at the debate. The debate largely revolved around topics that have since lost relevance, such as Donald Trump's tax returns and his derogatory comments about Rosie O'Donnell. Additionally, there was discussion about the internal politics of distant countries like Syria.

The Lack of Attention to Struggling Towns

The article highlights the lack of attention given to helping struggling towns like Farmville during the 2016 election. Despite the town's declining population, low median income, and high poverty rates, the candidates and the national press failed to address specific plans to improve the situation. Instead, the residents of Farmville were left with vague promises and cliches about an economy that would benefit everyone.

Farmville's Continued Decline

Farmville, Virginia has experienced a continued decline in the seven years since both major political parties have had a chance to run the White House. Despite promises made during a vice presidential debate four years ago, the town has ranked as the poorest in Virginia, with nearly a third of its residents living below the poverty line. In 2021, the median household income in Farmville was less than $36,000, significantly lower than the national average of over $70,000.

Politicians' Neglect of Small Towns

The article highlights the decline of small towns in the United States, using Farmville, Virginia as an example. It suggests that this decline is being ignored by politicians in Washington who only use these towns as props or backdrops for their debates. The article implies that once the cameras are gone, so are the politicians, leaving these towns to deteriorate further.

Rise to Fame: Oliver Anthony

Oliver Anthony, a resident of Farmville, is a former factory worker who lives with his three dogs. He recently gained attention for his song "Rich Men North of Richmond," which criticizes the country's political leaders and addresses themes of dignity, personal responsibility, and spirituality. The song has gained popularity on social media and was played on a recent show.

Sudden Rise to Fame

Anthony, an unknown musician who had been recording songs with his iPhone and posting them on YouTube, has experienced a sudden rise to fame. Just a week ago, he had a small audience of a few dozen. However, within a few days, three of his songs made it to the top ten on iTunes, and he performed in front of thousands of fans in North Carolina. The crowd enthusiastically sang along to his songs, as if they had been fans for years. A video clip of him performing the song "Rich Men North of Richmond" for the large crowd is available.

Appeal to Everyday People

Oliver Anthony, a singer, is gaining a large following of supporters who are cheering him on. This is notable because Anthony and his supporters do not fit the narrative of the perpetually oppressed classes that society is often told to focus on. They do not identify as LGBTQ2S+ and instead prioritize their skills and desire to work. They are religious and hold traditional values, including a disdain for what they consider sexual degeneracy. These normal, everyday people are not the controlled opposition that the Left is accustomed to.

Authenticity and Relatability

Anthony, a previously unknown musician, recently gained sudden popularity and attention. He addressed the crowd before a performance, acknowledging the drastic change in his career. Just days ago, nobody listened to his music, but now he is receiving offers for interviews and record deals. He has become a top trending topic on social media platforms. The article poses the question of how Anthony would begin his first show after all this newfound attention.

A Powerful Message on Stage

Oliver Anthony, also known as @AintGottaDollar, delivered a powerful message on stage in his first appearance since his viral song. The performance caught the attention of various record labels, making it a significant moment for the artist. The video of his performance is being widely shared and praised on social media.

Resonating with Listeners

The article discusses a musician, Anthony, who opens his concert by quoting Psalm 37 instead of promoting himself or his social media. The crowd reacts positively to this unexpected move, as they may not have heard such a message in their churches. The article praises Anthony for being authentic and relatable, suggesting that his appeal lies in his normalcy.

Criticism and Success

The article discusses the success of Oliver Anthony, a musician who has gained popularity through right-wing influencers. The author criticizes the entertainment industry and news media for being bitter and talentless, and mentions that Rolling Stone recently published a hit piece on Anthony. The author also expresses their objection to being labeled as an influencer.

Country Music Trend

The article highlights the current trend of country songs dominating the music charts and the media attention they receive. It mentions that the recent top three songs on Billboard were country songs, with Jason Aldean's song being particularly relevant to the current news cycle. The author also criticizes the Daily Beast and Huffington Post for digging into Anthony's social media and personal life, suggesting that this should be seen in the broader context of the country music trend.

Resonating with Frustrated Americans

The media is causing a stir over songs by artists Aldean and Anthony that criticize the elites and address the concerns of ordinary Americans. These songs resonate with people who are frustrated with the destruction caused by BLM riots and the neglect of towns like Farmville while politicians prioritize foreign aid. Normal people, who have been silenced for years, now feel empowered to express their views.

Authentic and Meaningful Art

The article discusses the release of a song by Anthony that was initially seen as a marketing or self-promotional strategy. However, the author argues that there is a large market for this type of music and art that resonates with people's values and concerns. They mention the success of movies like "Sound of Freedom" and the potential for millions of dollars to be made. The article also criticizes the mainstream music and film industries for not catering to this audience and providing art that truly connects with them.

Rejecting Offensive Music

The article discusses the current state of the music industry and how certain types of songs are becoming popular despite their explicit and offensive content. The author argues that there is a growing audience that rejects this kind of music and craves more authentic and meaningful songs. They highlight the success of a singer named Anthony, who gained overnight fame by creating simple and genuine music. The article suggests that there are many people who feel disillusioned by the prevalence of offensive and mindless music in the industry.

Media Scrutiny and Skepticism

The content provided suggests that Rolling Stone and TMZ have published negative articles about someone named Oliver Anthony. The author believes that these articles are just the beginning, as they expect the media to continue trying to ruin Anthony's reputation by digging into his past and uncovering any potential scandals. The author seems to downplay the significance of any skeletons that may be found, suggesting that everyone has some and that it ultimately doesn't matter.