“You Just Need to Keep Your Mouth Shut”: Artists Defend Parker McCollum After Oliver Anthony’s Bold Accusations

Earlier this month, Oliver Anthony posted a 15-minute vlog on YouTube titled “What I’ve Learned from the Music Industry So Far.” In the video, he talked about the ins and outs of the music industry as he saw it. He also blasted Cowboy Carter and modern country artists. At one point in the video, he seemingly accused Parker McCollum of using drum loops, backing tracks, and Auto-Tune during his live shows. McCollum took to social media to deny the claim and several artists stepped up to take his side.

McCollum shared a video denying Anthony’s claims calling them a “100% fabricated lie.” He went on to say that he had said his peace on the matter and wanted it to end there. However, his friends and fellow artists weren’t going to let the accusations stand. Instead, they stepped forward to speak on the Limestone Kid’s behalf.

[RELATED: “100% Fabricated Lie”: Parker McCollum Responds to Oliver Anthony’s Apparent Accusations of Using Backing Tracks, Drum Loops Onstage]

“One more time for the folks in the back,” wrote Texas-based artist Koe Wetzel. “That sh*t had me laughing. So Wild,” added Kolby Cooper, another country artist from the Lone Star State.

However, more than just his fellow Texans weighed in on the matter.

“I’ve heard your in-ear mix while you sand in the pouring down ass rain at Red Rocks. Sang like a MF angel,” Kassi Ashton wrote.

Corey Kent, who spent time on the road with McCollum this year also weighed in. However, he didn’t limit himself to the comment section of the post. Instead, he took to social media to share his own video on the matter.

Corey Kent Calls Out Oliver Anthony in Defense of Parker McCollum

Corey Kent pulled no punches in his video addressing the situation. “I’ve just got to address the ignorance that is Oliver Anthony,” he began. “Accusing Parker McCollum, of all people in country music, of running backing tracks and vocal tuning shows how uninformed you are and how out of touch with the country music world that you are,” he added.

“That guy is probably one of ten acts that I know that doesn’t run any kind of vocal tuning and doesn’t run any backing tracks. I would say, what you’re saying about 2024 country artists is pretty true. Most of them have vocal tuning because they’re not great live. Most of them have to have backing tracks because they’re not willing to hire the right people to play those parts or they’re trying to save a buck,” he continued. “Parker is the exact opposite of that. This guy lives in Texas, grew up in the Texas club scene. You get crucified out here if you do that stuff. If there’s one person that should never be accused of vocal tuning and backing tracks, it’s Parker,” he added.

“As a dude that toured with him for six months out of this year, I can personally tell you, I watched his show every single night and there’s never been a backing track. There’s never been a vocal processor,” Kent said. “Bro, you just need to keep your mouth shut if you don’t know what you’re talking about. Or if you’re going to accuse somebody, drop their name specifically so there’s no misinformation being spread about one of my home boys,” he added, addressing Anthony directly. “Or know your stuff before you talk.”

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