See Viral Country Star Oliver Anthony Cover Everyone From Lynyrd Skynyrd to the Lumineers

Oliver Anthony seemed to come out of nowhere earlier this month, topping the charts just weeks after his song "Rich Men North of Richmond" debuted online. But the singer-songwriter's sound, on the other hand, clearly has deep roots in country, Southern rock and related genres.

Some clues as to his inspirations can be found on his TikTok channel, where, both before and since he achieved viral fame, he's regularly covered classic songs (some requested by fans) and also shouted out his inspirations via hashtags. Some of these include outlaw country — the anti-establishment '70s and '80s subgenre that's home to icons like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson — and artists such as Colter Wall, Hank Williams Jr. and Tyler Childers. He's also played songs by everyone from Lynyrd Skynyrd to the Lumineers.

Here's a guide to some of the artists that Anthony has either shouted out or covered, who might have helped shape his own sound.

Jamey Johnson

Anthony previously covered Jamey Johnson's 2008 Top 10 outlaw-country hit "In Color" online, and after "Rich Men" made headlines, Johnson joined the budding star at a show in North Carolina to sing the song together. "I'm not sure I'll ever top this moment where @jamey_johnson surprised me to sing his all-time classic with me on stage. What a legend," Anthony posted on social media. "In Color" touches on family history, and you can hear Johnson's influence in Anthony's rootsy sound.

Johnny Cash

Anthony paid his respects to classic country late last year with a cover of Johnny Cash's 1955 No. 1 country hit "Folsom Prison Blues." The song is regarded as one of Cash's signature singles, and among the best country songs throughout history. Anthony belts Cash's bouncy rockabilly classic with a gritty spirit, highlighting the song's dark undertones and Anthony and Cash's overlapping sensibilities.

Waylon Jennings

Anthony's fans request covers of similarly-minded country voices on the singer's TikTok. Back in February, Anthony answered one follower's comment, "Gotta do some Waylon," with a rendition of Waylon Jennings' 1990 track "Where Corn Don't Grow." The caption reads, "This one hits close to home." Anthony's lyrics, about hardships and childhood reflections, are in line with Jennings': "Hard times are real, there's dusty fields no matter where you go/ You may change your mind 'cause the weeds are high where corn don't grow."

George Strait

In May, Anthony responded to a request for George Strait's 1982 song "Amarillo by Morning" with a fingerpicked acoustic cover, played in his car. The song is considered to be one of Strait's most iconic numbers. Strait's version is simple and bright, while Anthony takes a slower, slightly darker approach. Anthony's work is influenced by these kinds of minimal arrangements.

Lynyrd Skynyrd

When a fan asked for Lynyrd Skynyrd's 1973 staples "Simple Man," adding, "You'd kill it," Anthony brought his soulful, plaintive stylings to the song. "Idk about killing it but here's an attempt," he wrote in the caption. Lines like "Forget your lust for the rich man's gold/ All that you need is in your soul" sound right at home with Anthony's regular subject matter, dealing with class and navigating the new world as an old soul. The next month, he uploaded an 11-second snippet covering Skynyrd's bluesy Southern country track "The Ballad of Curtis Loew."

Randy Travis

Anthony is a plainspoken, soul-searching songwriter, sometimes brutally so, so his cover of Randy Travis' "On the Other Hand," a wrenching 1985 ballad about a man torn between a passionate affair and his loyalty to his wife.

The Lumineers

The Lumineers are one of Anthony's more modern influences. He sang the folk band's 2012 acoustic single "Dead Sea" in a recent video with the caption, "#lumineers haven't played this in forever."

Tyler Childers

Not only has Anthony hashtagged bluegrass country singer Tyler Childers in his videos, critics have (unfavorably) compared him to the artist on social media. "Oliver Anthony is just the Dollar General version of Tyler Childers," one tweet reads. "Oliver Anthony is a Tyler Childers ripoff artist who has grafted on right-wing victimhood lyrics," says another. You can hear the similarities in their soulful croons and country twangs. Also, Childers no longer rocks long hair and a beard, but when he did, the swingers bore some physical similarities, as well. Anthony responded to a fan's comment comparing the two with a cover of Childers' "Charleston Girl." He admitted in the caption that he doesn't normally do Childers covers, but "I'm partial to this one."

Hank Williams Jr.

Fans have also compared Anthony to country singer-songwriter Hank Williams Jr., an artist Anthony regularly calls out in his video captions. The artists overlap in their values, singing about family life's simple pleasures, and their gritty outlaw-country sounds.

Colter Wall

Colter Wall is another one of Anthony's frequent hashtags. The rising country singer shares Anthony's penchant for folk and Americana storytelling, with a slightly more polished approach.