<\/p>\n
\n\tHe is one of the most sought after artists in the agency world and now he finally has major a booking team behind him.<\/p>\n
\n\tOliver Anthony<\/a> has signed with UTA for exclusive worldwide representation in all areas.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWe\u2019re honored to represent such an authentic artist, and excited to put together a global strategy to bring Oliver Anthony and his music to the people,\u201d shared UTA co-head of Nashville Jeffrey Hasson<\/strong> and music agent Curt Motley<\/strong> in a statement to Billboard<\/em>. Some of UTA\u2019s other clients include Brittney Spencer<\/a>, Megan Moroney<\/a>, Parmalee<\/a>, Elvie Shane<\/a>, Ian Munsick<\/a> and Jamey Johnson<\/a>, who has performed recently with Anthony. <\/p>\n \n\tThe \u201cRich Men North of Richmond\u201d singer\u2019s profile skyrocketed in August after a performance video went viral, generating more than 69 million views on Youtube and leading to a historic No. 1 debut on the Billboard Hot 100<\/a> chart. With that song, Anthony became the first artist ever to top the chart without having appeared on it previously. <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cRich Men North of Richmond\u201d is also the first song by a solo male to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs<\/a> charts simultaneously. The Farmville, Virginia, native\u2019s\u00a0other songs \u2014 such as \u201cAin\u2019t Gotta Dollar,\u201d \u201c90 Some Chevy\u201d and \u201cI Want to Go Home\u201d \u2014 have also earned solid streaming numbers<\/a>. <\/p>\n \n\tA quick bidding war followed, with music executives from all around the country to try to sign the hot new phenom<\/a>. One label head told Billboard<\/em> at the time, \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever seen anything like this before.\u201d Rapper Gucci Mane even posted on Instagram that he wanted to sign Anthony to his label and needed help finding him. Anthony, who sings of populist ideals that have grown him a grassroots following, seemed largely nonplussed by the newfound attention. He told social media followers he was determined not to make any rash decisions and that he had turned down record deals worth upwards of $8 million.<\/p>\n \n\tMeanwhile, Anthony has continued to perform for his new fanbase with a number of regional shows that have grown from the Eagle Creek Golf Club and Grill in Moyock, N.C., on Aug. 19, to Tootsie\u2019s Orchid Lounge\u2019s annual block party in Nashville last weekend on Sept. 17, where he notably performed with a full band for the first time. While in Nashville, Anthony apparently made his new agreement with UTA \u2014 marking his first major deal since breaking out. <\/p>\n \n\tComing up, Anthony is slated to perform two sets at the upcoming\u00a0Louder Than Life<\/a>\u00a0Festival, which opens Thursday (Sept. 21) and runs through Sept. 24 at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky. And then he has a sold out show at Smokies Stadium in Sevier County, Tenn., scheduled for Sept. 28.<\/p>\n \n\tEarlier this month, Anthony canceled a Sept. 27 concert at Cotton Eyed Joe in Knoxville, Tenn., due to a disagreement over ticket prices, which were listed at $99 and $199 for a meet and greet. Anthony posted to social media discouraging his fans from buying the tickets, explaining that he didn\u2019t agree to those prices. Anthony explained his friend had been acting as his booking agent and he booked the show without asking what the ticket prices were. (The venue later responded, saying the high prices were the only way it could cover Anthony\u2019s $120,000 booking fee.) Anthony continued to say his shows \u201cnever cost more than $40, ideally no more than $25,\u201d pointing out that two of his four recent shows were \u201ccompletely free.\u201d<\/p>\n