Country Music’s Breakout Star – Who Is Stephen Wilson Jr.?
on Nov 20, 2025
Stephen Wilson Jr. Makes His CMA Performance Debut
The 59th Annual CMA Awards were held in Nashville, Tennessee Wednesday (November 20) and many of country’s most talented stars were in attendance.
One artist in particular, Stephen Wilson Jr., became the breakout star of the night, drawing widespread attention with his performances.
Wilson Jr. first took the stage for an emotional cover of the hit, “Stand By Me,” dedicated to his late father. He later teamed up with Shaboozey to perform “Took A Walk.”
The “Holler from the Holler” singer was also nominated as a “New Artist of the Year” nominee, alongside Ella Langley and Zach Top.
RELATED: Stephen Wilson Jr. Honors Late Father With “Stand By Me” CMA Performance
So.. Who Is Stephen Wilson Jr.?
Born and raised in Seymour, Indiana, Wilson’s path to music has been anything but ordinary. The son of a boxer, he grew up surrounded by Midwestern values. Before launching his music career, he trained as a scientist and even competed as a Golden Gloves boxer.
Wilson first caught attention with his 2023 debut album, søn of dad, a 22-track, deeply personal project dedicated to his late father. Released on Big Loud Records, the album combines grunge, Americana, and modern country, landing at the top of several “Best of 2023” lists, including Holler’s Album of the Year.
“Everything I write comes from where I’ve been,” Wilson said in a recent interview. “My dad taught me how to fight — in the ring and in life. These songs are just me trying to live up to that.”
According to Wilson Jr., his gritty vocals and laid-back style has been heavily influenced by Willie Nelson.
“Willie Nelson is my hero – as a guitar player, singer and songwriter. He’s the greatest of all time. I learned how to play a lot of guitar from him, because he plays classical nylons. Or we call them ‘gut strings,’ with a pick, which is not very common. And he plays through an amp, not very common either. I basically steal everything from Willie,” the singer said in an interview on The Dan Patrick show.
Watch Stephen Wilson Jr. and Shaboozey’s CMA performance below.
