"He turned down an $8m contract..."
Actually, I think he should reconsider.
He must be getting some good $$$$ from the YouTube hits (assuming they "monetized" his channel).
Right now, he needs a good advisor for both the music industry issues and financial reasons. Perhaps another musician who's "been there".
He ought to be thinking about brushing up his playing, possibly assembling some backing musicians, some light touring and appearances.
He's got a hit -- hey, more than one hit (he's got 4 of the top 6 in the country charts, I believe) -- got to make something of that.
Jackson Browne wrote in "The Road":
Well it isn't for the money
And its only for a while
You stalk about the rooms
And you roll away the miles
Yes, it's "only for a while", and the money, too, may be fleeting (if one doesn't husband it carefully).
But... don't leave what's suddenly in front of you "on the table".
Pick it up and make the most of it while it lasts.