About this speaker
Chris Lunsford, known better by his grandfather's name, Oliver Anthony, is a singer-songwriter from the rural Piedmont-Appalachian region, who gained widespread attention in 2023 with his viral song "Rich Men North of Richmond." With its candid lyrics about the challenges of life for ordinary working people, the song tapped into a broader conversation about economic inequality, government policies, and the decline of rural communities.
Chris’s desire for ministry goes beyond music and his success gave him a platform to advocate for rural issues on a national stage. By leveraging his growing fame and platform, he hopes to spark a broader movement to revitalize rural communities, celebrate rural culture, and advocate for policies that help these areas thrive economically, socially, and politically. It is a response to the feeling that rural America has been left behind, and it is an attempt to bring attention and change to issues that impact small-town and rural life.
Chris has indicated that the Rural Revival Project is not just about making music or raising awareness; it is about creating real, on-the-ground change. His initiative will include music festivals, town hall meetings, and other initiatives to support local entrepreneurs. Given the isolation and mental health struggles often faced in rural areas, this project will also focus on bringing mental health resources and support systems to these communities, as well as reducing the stigma around seeking help.
Chris is clearly passionate about rural issues and the preservation of traditional ways of life. He is in the process of reviving a 225 acre, formerly biodynamic certified, permaculture farm that has not been operational for about 6 years. He is working to create a space that uses the benefits of permaculture, silvopasture, and rotational grazing all in one. The end goal being to create a space that helps educate and popularize these practices to the public and simultaneously function as a healing center for mental health through various ministries and organizations.
While Chris is one of the more prominent figures in this movement, The Rural Revival Project is not just about one artist or one song. His platform and influence could provide a meaningful way to bring attention to these types of farming practices, which aim to regenerate the land and create more resilient, self-sustaining rural communities. As part of his broader vision for rural revitalization, Chris has expressed a desire to empower communities and foster economic resilience in rural areas. This could involve everything from grassroots organizing to push for more equitable economic policies, to a resurgence in rural arts and culture.
