Friday, July 25th • 8:30pm • Main Stage
Stephen Wilson Jr. is a singer/songwriter from rural Southern Indiana. Self-described as “Death Cab For Country,” Stephen Wilson Jr. draws upon indie rock, grunge and country to create a distinct sound that is influenced by artists as diverse as The National, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Nirvana.
Stephen Wilson Jr. opens every one of his performances the exact same way, by walking to the microphone and introducing himself to the crowd: “I’m Stephen Wilson Jr. — I am my father’s son.” The Nashville-by-way-of-Indiana singer followed his father into the boxing ring as a child, before diverging from his dad’s path to become a scientist and, eventually, a songwriter. “My first stage wasn’t a stage at all, it was a boxing ring, ”says Wilson, who pays tribute to his father and processes his unexpected death on his debut album ‘søn of dad’. “Writing and making this album has been very therapeutic for me to learn who I am and what my existence looks like after my father,” he says. “Because life has to go on.” Wilson’s creative life began in earnest upon moving to Nashville, where he signed a publishing deal and had his songs recorded by stars like Brothers Osborne and Caitlyn Smith (in a collaboration with Old Dominion).
Now signed to Big Loud Records, he’s telling his own story on ‘søn of dad’ through songs like “Grief Is Only Love,” “Hang in There,” and the autobiographical centerpiece “Father’s Son.” He’s also performing to audiences around the world: Wilson has played festivals everywhere from CMA Fest in Nashville, Stagecoach Festival, Bourbon and Beyond Festival, to the Black Deer Festival in the U.K., and toured with artists like Hardy, Brothers Osborne, Midland, Hailey Whitters, Larry Fleet, and Marcus King. In 2024 Stephen Wilson Jr. will All of this led Rolling Stone to name him “one of the most interesting artists to watch this year, a true original.” Stephen Wilson Jr also made his debut TV performances on late night with Seth Meyers, Colbert, and Jool’s Holland, as well as RFDTV and BBC Radio2 InSession with Bob Harris, and CMT where he was nominated for an award.
Through it all, he remains a man of juxtapositions — a scientist and a believer, a peaceful soul and a confident boxer, an introverted songwriter and a gregarious performer. And, most importantly, his father’s son. “You don’t have to put Jr. after your name. It’s an optional suffix,” Wilson says. “But it says you’re extension of your father. It’s very powerful.” Stephen Wilson Jr.’s debut double album was released September 15, on the anniversary of his father’s passing, with great acclaim. The triumphant, genre-spanning set of 22 songs dedicated to his late father was named the #1 album of 2023 by Holler (“a record for the ages”) and All Country News and as one of the best albums of the year by Whiskey Riff, Wide Open Country, Grady Smith and Rolling Stone. This year, he’ll hit the road on his SOLD OUT Søn Of Dad US Tour, as well as a nearly sold out 2025 Søn Of Dad Tour, Hardy, Koe Wetzel and more.
Website: stephenwilsonjr.com