Stephen Wilson Jr. Blasts Out Country Stunners That Punch You in the Gut and Sell Out Venues
“Life is a battlefield
And it’ll drag you right through hell
Bites like a rattlesnake
The kind that you just don’t see on the trail
And I miss my father every day
The kinda pain I pray don’t fade away
And the ones above guide me down the road”
Raised in rural Indiana by a professional boxer single father, Stephen Wilson Jr. learned how to fight early in life. At age 7, he started boxing and eventually became an Indiana State Golden Gloves Finalist. His songs sound different. There’s this grit in his voice and arc in the songs that undeniably moves everybody listening. His command is top level, and his command of a room shows a guy that clearly knows how to fight in a ring or on stage.
His live performances sound like slugfest backyard brawls back dropped by the expansive beauty of a Grand Canyon of a voice. Growing up a quiet kid that really didn’t feel like talking, he listened and now he’s definitely learned how to tell his story. The man seems to be fighting with himself to tell the story of his father and display to the world how he’s lived successfully through the grief.
“My Dad’s last words to me were “write a good song for me Stephen.” Then he said I Love You, I Love You, I Love You, I Love You. Four times. And he was gone. Don’t be afraid to say it more than once. Some of us are counting.”
He attended Middle Tennessee State University and studied Microbiology. Following his studies, he toured extensively as the lead guitarist for a band called “AutoVaughn.” He then devoted his career to songwriting and set on his own. Quickly establishing a presence in the industry with his song-writing ability, Wilson Jr. began writing songs for artists Caitlyn Smith, Tim McGraw, Brothers Osborne, Old Dominion, MacKenzie Porter, Sixpence None the Richer and Leigh Nash.
He now describes himself as Death Cab for country. Self taught, his lyrics and guitar work are pure and soul-shakingly authentic. His 2023 record “Son of Dad” is a masterful collection of 23 stunning songs.
“I was just tapped on the shoulder from above and told to write these songs, as opposed to wanting to be a success in the music business.”
“When you’re singing, you’re using extra muscles, and it requires a lot of exercise and breathing. You can’t do that if you’re a sissy. If I have any fitness advice for people, I’d tell them to sing more. It’s good therapy, too.”
Wilson Jr. is an artist to see live now. Since only opening for other acts including Dave Matthews Band, he is ready to show the world what he’s got, and the stage will only get bigger from here. On stage, he displays a gratitude to the audience that’s really hard to find in a mainstream artist. See him right now, as in the next time he comes even close to where you live, go watch him perform these songs. He’s at his prime, and this is the time to catch an artist before he hits the stratosphere. Tour schedule can be found here.
“I don’t believe that songwriting has to be profound, but I truly believe that it’s a crime for you to go outta your way for it not to be.”