Oliver Anthony Covers Travis Tritt’s “Where Corn Don’t Grow”

Oliver Anthony recorded a stripped down, acoustic video of Travis Tritt’s “Where Corn Don’t Grow” months ahead of becoming the biggest viral star in years.

Oliver Anthony burst onto the country music scene one week ago with his self-penned blue collar anthem, “Rich Men North of Richmond.” It was the first time most had heard of the Virginia singer, but he had been releasing videos on YouTube for a few years before his big break.

With a story that shows the power of a good song and social media, Oliver Anthony‘s life changed overnight. The factory worker-turned-farmer stopped the music industry in its tracks with his song that called out corrupt politicians, misuse of welfare, child-trafficking and Jeffrey Epstein. Not only did the song’s message get the attention of the industry elite, but the fact that Anthony found overnight success without the help of a record label, a management team or big bucks behind him couldn’t be ignored.

Oliver Anthony himself says that he’s “not a good musician” and hardly knows his way around a guitar. He also calls his song an anomaly and refuses to take credit for the success of “Rich Men North of Richmond.” He instead credits the relatability of the lyrics and the common struggles of blue collar workers who work hard just to make ends meet.

Roughly six months before Oliver Anthony became a viral star, he recorded a version of Travis Tritt’s 1996 hit “Where Corn Don’t Grow.”

In a similar vein to Anthony’s “Rich Men North of Richmond,” Travis Tritt’s song speaks of the struggles of a working man’s life and dreams of an easier life. When Oliver Anthony recorded “Where Corn Don’t Grow” from a room in his rumored “off the grid” home in Farmville, Virginia, in February 2023, he had no idea that six months later his life would change dramatically as he would soon be thrust into the spotlight as the new voice of the working class.

And it doesn’t look like he’ll be going anywhere soon. With five of his songs shaking up the the all-genre iTunes Top Songs chart (beating out the likes of Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs) and an anticipated debut atop the Billboard Hot 100 next week, Oliver Anthony is proof that country music has been craving relatable, honest songs. Time will tell what the future has in store for Oliver Anthony, but in the meantime, fans are clamoring for more from the Virginia farmer.

Hear Oliver Anthony sing “Where Corn Don’t Grow” in the video below.