Big Velvet from the top rope. I'll be honest, my very first impression of Oliver Anthony was a positive one. Kid out in the woods lamenting the state of the society, calling out Jeffrey Epstein and the pocket-stuffing, corrupt politicians in Washington DC... on both sides of the aisle. It was refreshing... a pretty cool viral moment, seemingly pretty organic (despite what people thought), and one that resonated with a lot of people struggling in middle America. Of course, it pretty quickly turned into a political argument with Conservatives embracing the song as their own anthem, and Liberal folks accusing him of being some red pill plant. Nevertheless, a viral sensation was born. The song quickly became the biggest thing in music, he was joined by Jamey Johnson at a farmer's market concert, made appearances on Joe Rogan and Jordan Peterson's podcasts, and he quickly caught the attention of labels and publishers. He said he turned down millions of dollars from record labels and started booking some shows on his own, which proved to be more complicated than he could imagine. He released an album, Hymnal Of A Troubled Man's Mind, produced by Dave Cobb, but largely has remained outside of the music industry and relatively quiet in comparison to his viral breakout. However, he's been a bit louder more recently, and he shared that he is leaving the music industry entirely (which he was never really in), in an effort to make music under the umbrella of a "traveling ministry." He also took some time to rant about the music industry (which once gain, he said he never wanted to be a part of), and then eviscerate Beyonce's Cowboy Carter album, as well as called out (without using his name) Parker McCollum for allegedly singing with autotune and backing tracks. Here's the full 15-minute rant if you're interested: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDK8KmvxvTl/?hl=en And look, there are some serious criticisms of the corporate music industry, ones that are valid, as well as serious and necessary criticism of what goes in Washington DC. So I can understand why he resonates with a lot of people, but lately, his entire disposition just reeks of arrogance and self-righteousness from someone who doesn't have much experience or knowledge about the music industry... at all. What has he played... a couple dozen shows? Cut one album? He sure talks like an industry veteran for someone who has been doing this for what... a year? And complaining about venues and promoters and ticket prices like it costs nothing to put on a show? It just screams "I don't know what I'm talking about." But what really pisses me off lately is that all of this is done while holding a Bible, and now professing a traveling ministry? What about that is Christ-like? Make no mistake, nobody is perfect, especially people who call themselves Christians (as I do), but if I'm immature, in both my music career and immature in my faith (which he has confessed to on Joe Rogan), I would perhaps have the awareness to not pretend that I have EVERYTHING all figured out, and then drag people down in the process. By all means, keep reading you Bible, keep growing in your faith, but maybe flip over to Matthew 7... It just rubs me the wrong way... and you know who else it rubs the wrong way... Paul "Big Velvet" Cauthen. If you're not familiar, Paul Cauthen is a phenomenal singer, songwriter, and producer out of Texas who has released a handful of great records and has also collaborated on songs with Cody Jinks, Hayes Carll, Diplo and more. His most recent album, Black on Black is a guarantee to make the Whiskey Riff Album of the Year list (should be coming out VERY soon), but I'd recommend diving into his catalog... there's a lot of good stuff in there. He also puts on a KILLER live show, a certified entertainer. As it turns out, Paul also hasn't taken to kindly to ol' Oliver lately, and enough was finally enough. He took to Instagram to share a pretty direct video message for Oliver, essentially telling him to keep his mouth shut. He said in his caption: "Ain’t what he says he is folks. I’ve heard too many bad stories for too long now. It’s sad when a good singer and songwriter lets their own emotions get in the way. Thumping on your Bible at live shows and claiming this and that when you’re actually hurting commerce and small businesses all over the country. You don’t talk about when you get contracted a 100 grand to play a show and then you stiff the venues because the venue is trying to make enough money on the ticket sale to pay your hundred grand cost. Usually I’m in favor of the Artist nine times out of 10. This is that one time where I’m going to back the venues! I’ll tell you one thing I am a sinner, I have faith in Jesus Christ, but I will never be perfect. I don’t think Oliver Anthony is perfect either. Also, this is coming from somebody that didn’t have overnight fame on TikTok." https://www.instagram.com/p/DDXbhxCRf8x/?hl=en And he's right about Oliver being a great talent... he's a good singer and a good songwriter who has garnered himself a big audience... even if it came from a viral moment. And Oliver has maintained that his music career is not about the money or notoriety, and that he's on a mission to use his gifts to help people. But the problem is... he won't get the opportunity to use those gifts to help people if he alienates everyone in the industry, and some fans as well, along the way. At least not at the scale possible. We'll see... In the meantime, check out a few cuts from Paul Cauthen's latest album, Black On Black... like I said before, it's a good one: "Hot Damn" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRr3nHi4Xfc "Innocent" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jwwlHzlYxo&pp=ygUVcGF1bCBjYXV0aGVuIGlubm9jZW50 "To Whom Do You Belong" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvNTipUo0r0&pp=ygUicGF1bCBjYXV0aGVuIHRvIHdob20gZG8geW91IGJlbG9uZw%3D%3D