Stephen Wilson Jr.

Stephen Wilson Jr. (born July 11, 1979) is an American country and rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter.

Early and personal life Born on July 11, 1979, Wilson was raised in Seymour, Indiana. Introverted as a youth, Wilson and his brother were guided by their father into competitive boxing. This experience, culminating in Golden Gloves amateur boxing competitions, helped him conquer stage fright. 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.

Wilson's father died in September 2018. 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. 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. It reached the top 40 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. 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. Wilson credits Soundgarden's Kim Thayil and Chris Cornell for helping him learn the guitar, particularly through their tunings. Release date: September 15, 2023 Label: Big Loud Format: CD, digital download, LP

EPs + List of EPs, with selected details Title Album detailsBon Aqua Release date: March 24, 2023 Label: Big Loud Format: Digital downloadBlankets Release date: August 29, 2025 Label: Big Loud Format: Digital download

Singles + Title Year Peak chart positions Album USCountryAirplay "Gary" 2026 33

Promotional singles Source: "Made for This" (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" (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)" (2025) "If There's a Heaven" (2025)

Music videos Title Year Director(s) 2026 "Gary" Tim Cofield