‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ singer cancels show over high ticket prices

“Rich Men North of Richmond” singer Oliver Anthony abruptly canceled a show at the Cotton Eyed Joe nightclub in Knoxville, Tennessee, because he was outraged over the cost of tickets being charged for the event.

(Video Credit: Country Cast)

The event was scheduled for September 27 and tickets would have been $99 a pop and $199 for a meet and greet.

Hours before he canceled the show, Anthony told his fans on social media not to buy tickets to his concert because of the cost. “That’s not acceptable,” he stated on Instagram. “Just saw the Facebook post and lost my s***. Miscommunication with my friend booking shows and I. My shows should never cost more than $40, ideally no more than $25. Hell, out of the 4 shows we have currently done, 2 of them have been completely free. This will get straightened out tonight. Hold off on buying tickets for now.”

“Cotton Eyed Joe has been cancelled [sic]. Ultimately, it’s my fault for not being more directly involved with the venues who have reached out. My plate has been full and I delegated the responsibility to someone else to help me book,” the singer told his fans on Facebook and Instagram Monday night. “I am not pointing fingers at Cotton Eyed Joe, I don’t know where the miscommunication took place. I’m just upset seeing those prices.”

“We will find another place in Knoxville area that can do $25 ticket and free meet and greet,” he continued. ”I will work to get your tickets refunded from my own budget if they can’t. This will never happen again. Thanks for your patience. I am still learning how all of this works.”

Cotton Eyed Joe was incensed over the cancellation and the accusation that their tickets cost too much. They also took to Facebook and X declaring that the ticket prices reflected a “break-even” amount. The venue also claimed it had made a deal with Anthony to play there for an hour for $120,000.

“Most times we say a show has been cancelled [sic] due to circumstances beyond our control … well we are cancelling [sic] the Oliver Anthony show under our full control. All refunds will be made in the next few business days to your original form of payment,” Cotton Eyed Joe angrily posted.

“The North Man of Richmond contracted to play the Cotton Eyed Joe for $120,000 for 60 minutes … after doing the math and knowing we can only hold apprx. 1500 people, paying the ticket website their fee to sell the tickets, paying the tax man, opening the JOE on a closed night … we set the ticket price to break even and bring our customers a show we thought would be fun. To our talent agency and promotor friends that follow us … be careful booking the North Man of Richmond,” the venue warned.

The news of the show’s cancellation comes after Anthony performed a full set at the Blue Ridge Rock Festival in Virginia.

“He also performed a surprise set alongside Shinedown and Papa Roach in the parking lot after the festival was cancelled due to weather,” Country Now reported.

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