Stephen Wilson Jr.
Stephen Wilson Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Wilson Jr. performing in 2025 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | July 11, 1979 Seymour, Indiana, US |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Labels | |
| Formerly of | AutoVaughn |
Spouse | Leigh Nash |
| Website | stephenwilsonjr |
Stephen Wilson Jr. (born July 11, 1979) is an American country and rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter.[1]
Early and personal life
Born on July 11, 1979, Wilson was raised in Seymour, Indiana.[2] Introverted as a youth, Wilson and his brother were guided by their father into competitive boxing.[3] This experience, culminating in Golden Gloves amateur boxing competitions, helped him conquer stage fright.[4] Wilson recalls how country singer Tim McGraw's song "Don't Take the Girl" profoundly impacted him as a teenager. Raised poor by a single dad, and with an absent mother who suffered through abusive relationships, the song's storytelling sparked in him a passion for lyrics and poetry, leading him to begin writing his own songs.[4] Wilson is married to singer Leigh Nash.[5]
Wilson's father died in September 2018.[4]
Career
After leaving his first band[when?], AutoVaughn, Wilson settled into a stable job in the research and development department of Mars' food-science lab.[4] There, he thrived professionally, got married, and moved to the countryside to raise his stepson, while continuing to write songs.[4] After three years, he left Mars to become a full-time musician, taking a job with Big Loud as a staff songwriter in 2016.[4]
Wilson signed with BMG[when?], and his first release was the 2021 single "Made for This", a duet with his wife, Leigh Nash. In 2022, he issued another single, titled "Year to Be Young 1994 (Unplugged)". Wilson co-wrote the 2023 single "CRZY" by Dallas Smith.[6] In 2023, he published his debut album, the EP bon aqua. He followed it in 2023 with the album Son of Dad, which was inspired by the death of his father.[7] In 2025, this was re-issued as a deluxe version that included additional acoustic and live tracks. Later in 2025, Wilson released the covers EP Blankets, which includes songs by Nirvana, Temple of the Dog, the Postal Service, and the Smashing Pumpkins.
"Gary" was released on January 26, 2026, as Wilson's first single to country radio, via Big Loud.[8][9] It reached the top 40 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.[10]
Musical style and influences
Wilson's music is a blend of country and rock, and he has described it as "Death Cab for Country", a reference to the indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie.[11] As a child, he had a passion for country musician Willie Nelson, and he considers the grunge band Nirvana to be among his chief musical influences. In 2025, he covered their song "Something in the Way" on his EP Blankets.[12] Wilson credits Soundgarden's Kim Thayil and Chris Cornell for helping him learn the guitar, particularly through their tunings.[4]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Son of Dad[13] |
|
EPs
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Bon Aqua[14] |
|
| Blankets[15] |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Airplay [10] | |||
| "Gary" | 2026 | 33 | TBA |
Promotional singles
Source:[16]
- "Made for This" (with Leigh Nash) (2021)
- "Year to Be Young 1994 (Unplugged)" (2022)
- "Father's Søn" (2023)
- "Mighty Beast" (2023)
- "All the Wars from Now On" (2023)
- "Patches" (2023)
- "Father's Søn (Acoustic)" (2024)
- "The Tunnel" (with Lori McKenna) (2024)
- "Stand by Me (Live at the Print Shop)" (2024)
- "The Star-Spangled Banner (Live from the 2025 NFL Draft)" (2025)
- "Dig a Hole" (2025)
- "Took a Walk (from The Long Walk)" (with Shaboozey) (2025)
- "If There's a Heaven" (with Noah Cyrus) (2025)
Music videos
| Title | Year | Director(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | "Gary" | Tim Cofield | [17] |
References
- ^ Hudak, Joseph (November 22, 2024). "Stephen Wilson Jr.'s Version of 'Stand by Me' Is the Cover You Need to Hear". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Roland, Tom (November 8, 2022). "Makin' Tracks: Give 'Em Hill, 'Billy': Stephen Wilson Jr.'s Edgy Celebration of His Back-Roads Roots". Billboard.
- ^ Rehagen, Tony (April 22, 2024). "Stephen Wilson Jr. Is in the Fight". Indianapolis Monthly.
- ^ a b c d e f g Reyes-Kulkarni, Saby (September 13, 2023). "Stephen Wilson Jr: The Moments That Made Me". Holler.
- ^ "Leigh Nash and Husband Stephen Wilson Jr. Work Out Differences on "Made for This"". americansongwriter.com. June 25, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
- ^ "Dallas Smith Reveals Two New Songs Ahead of Album Release". Live in Limbo. October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ Hudak, Joseph (June 13, 2024). "Stephen Wilson Jr. Blows Up Father's Day Platitudes with Startling 'Grief Is Only Love' Video". Rolling Stone.
- ^ "Country Aircheck Weekly January 20, 2026, Issue 995" (PDF). Country Aircheck. January 20, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ^ "Stephen Wilson Jr. Shares 'Vivid' Behind-the-Scenes Footage from 'Gary' Video Shoot Featuring Gary Sinise (Exclusive)". People. April 1, 2026. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
- ^ a b Peaks on the Country Airplay chart:
- "Gary": "Billboard Country Update: April 24, 2026" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ^ Horowitz, Steve (March 28, 2023). "Stephen Wilson Jr. Compiles His Singles on 'bon aqua'". PopMatters.
- ^ Hudak, Joseph (July 11, 2024). "Stephen Wilson Jr. Drops a Slashing Cover of Nirvana's 'Something in the Way'". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Lorie Hollabaugh (July 14, 2023). "Stephen Wilson Jr. Pays Tribute to His Dad on New Double Album". Music Row. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ^ "Stephen Wilson Jr". apple.com. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
- ^ "Stephen Wilson Jr. – Gary (Official Music Video)". YouTube. March 15, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
External links
- Official website
- Stephen Wilson Jr. discography at Discogs
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