‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ singer Oliver Anthony cancels Knoxville show over ticket prices

The singer of the viral song "Rich Men North of Richmond" is not pleased with a West Knox County music bar. A disagreement regarding ticket prices led to a few choice words posted on social media and a canceled show.

Cotton Eyed Joe announced social media star Oliver Anthony would be performing at the venue Sept. 27. Ticket prices were listed at $99, and a meet and greet would cost fans $199.

“I had to pull off on the side of the road and make this video. My adrenaline's pumping, man,” Anthony said in a video he recorded after learning about venue’s ticket prices.

“Don't buy Cotton Eyed Joe tickets for $99 dollars apiece. And sure as hell, don't buy VIP passes for whatever (BS) price they're on.”

Such prices are out of step with the sentiment of the song that champions working class Americans and unexpectedly went No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August, making Anthony an overnight sensation.

Cotton Eyed Joe explained that Anthony had agreed to play a 60-minute set at the Knoxville bar for $120,000. “We set the ticket price to break even,” organizers wrote on Facebook and Instagram.

The venue ultimately decided to cancel the show altogether, using some of Anthony’s lyrics and claim to fame in the process.

“It's a damn shame what the world’s gotten to for the customers of the World Famous Cotton Joe. Most times we say a show has been canceled due to circumstances beyond our control ... well we are canceling the Oliver Anthony show under our full control,” the company wrote on social media.

“To our talent agency and promotor friends that follow us ... be careful booking the North Man of Richmond,” the post continued.

But Anthony is pushing forward. He told his followers that he didn’t agree to the Cotton Eyed Joe performance or ask for a $120,000 fee. He said the booking was through a friend of his who did not get the full details before agreeing to the deal.

“I'm very adamant about $25 to $40 ticket prices. I think even $40 is a little bit high,” Anthony said in a follow-up video message. “Sorry for all the drama I caused. Thanks for understanding.”

"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," Anthony added on Facebook.

Anthony said he will more involved in future bookings, and all upcoming shows will have tickets for $25 and free meet-and-greet sessions. No new date or location has been announced for a Knoxville performance.

Cotton Eyed Joe has other upcoming events with tickets ranging from $20 to $35. These shows include Quiet Riot on Sept. 29, the Bellamy Brothers on Nov. 10 and Pecos and the Rooftops on Nov. 15. Events are listed at cottoneyedjoe.com.

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. Twitter @dturner1208.

Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Oliver Anthony cancels Cotton Eyed Joe concert in Knoxville