Stephen Wilson Jr. Surprises Fans By Bringing Out HARDY At The Ryman Auditorium
on Nov 24, 2025
Stephen Wilson Jr. Makes Powerful CMA Debut
Last week, Stephen Wilson Jr. made his CMA debut, captivating audiences with a gritty performance of “Stand By Me.”
Wilson Jr. is becoming one of Nashville’s most compelling new voices, blending heartland storytelling with an edge he calls “Death Cab for Country.”
The singer 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.
RELATED: Country Music’s Breakout Star – Who Is Stephen Wilson Jr.?
Stephen Wilson Jr. Captivates The CMA Audience With “Stand By Me”
Sporting his classic trucker hat and casual attire, Wilson Jr. delivered a passionate performance during the show, which he said he tributed to his late father.
“Stand By Me,” according to Wilson Jr., reminds him of his late father and has became a touchstone in his grieving process. He has shared he would sing the track in his living room and the melody has become a place of sacred healing.
Fans took notice of the performance, calling it the “best moment of the night,” and “inspiring.”
HARDY Surprises The Ryman Crowd
On Sunday (November 23), Wilson Jr. performed at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The singer surprised the audience by bringing HARDY up on stage to play Father’s Søn with him.
“Thank you @stephen.wilson.jr for letting me come up and play Father’s Søn with you last night at the Ryman. This is a special song that I will always be honored to sing with you,” HARDY wrote on social media.
During HARDY’s appearance, Wilson Jr. shared that his friend had surprised him with a John Mellencamp–created gift as an end-of-tour present.
“He gave me the coolest after-tour gift that I’ve ever seen given on planet Earth. He gave it to me while we were setting up earlier today. I’ve done everything I can not to bust out bawling. I’ve got a Chernobyl level break down waiting to happen after all this is over,” Wilson Jr. said.
The gift was especially thoughtful as John Mellencamp is from the singer’s hometown of Seymour, Indiana, and is one of his biggest inspirations.
“This man brought a painting of Joe Louis painted by John Mellencamp. If you know me, you know what that means to me. It’ll go up as the centerpiece of my house. It’ll be what everyone sees when they walk in my house… there’s not enough gratitude for a present that good,” he continued.
