Bill Text: VA HR257 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Christopher Anthony Lunsford.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 46-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-04 - Bill text as passed House (HR257ER) [HR257 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HR257-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Christopher Anthony Lunsford, an acclaimed singer and songwriter releasing music under the name Oliver Anthony Music, achieved historic success in 2023 with his hit song, "Rich Men North of Richmond"; and
WHEREAS, born and raised in the Piedmont region and currently residing in Farmville, Christopher Lunsford worked a series of industrial and sales jobs in his early years before he began writing music in 2021 and sharing it online under the name Oliver Anthony Music soon thereafter; and
WHEREAS, on August 8, 2023, Christopher Lunsford released a recording of his song "Rich Men North of Richmond," which he had filmed in a beautiful backcountry setting for the West Virginia social media music channel Radiowv, and within five days the video had more than nine million views; and
WHEREAS, after tallying 147,000 downloads and 17.5 million streams, "Rich Men North of Richmond" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart of August 26, 2023, making Christopher Lunsford the first artist to debut at the top of the chart without charting in any way previously; and
WHEREAS, Christopher Lunsford also made Billboard chart history as the third unsigned artist to have a number-one single and the first solo male artist to reach the number one spot on both the Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs charts simultaneously in their debut week; and
WHEREAS, Christopher Lunsford's "Rich Men North of Richmond" grew to greater prominence on August 23, 2023, when it was referenced during the first Republican Party debate leading up to the 2024 United States presidential election; and
WHEREAS, through his honest and heartfelt approach to his music and his message, Christopher Lunsford has inspired millions and is deserving of the esteem and admiration of all Virginians; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Christopher Anthony Lunsford hereby be commended for his noteworthy contributions to the musical traditions of the Commonwealth; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Christopher Anthony Lunsford as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his achievements and best wishes for his continued success.
