Stephen Wilson Jr

Stephen Wilson Jr. was raised in Seymour, Indiana, by his father. As a child, he and his brother were guided into competitive boxing, and Wilson Jr. became an Indiana State Golden Gloves finalist. He has credited boxing with helping him overcome stage fright before performing.

As a teenager, Tim McGraw's song "Don't Take the Girl" influenced his interest in storytelling, lyrics, and poetry. His father died in September 2018, an event that later became the central inspiration for søn of dad. Wilson Jr. is married to singer Leigh Nash, and the pair recorded the 2021 single "Made for This" together.

Wilson Jr. began his professional music career as the lead guitarist and songwriter of the indie rock band AutoVaughn, touring with the group for five years. After leaving the band, he worked in the research and development department of the Mars food-science laboratory. He left the laboratory in 2016 to become a full-time musician and signed a publishing deal with BMG Nashville as a staff songwriter.

His songwriting led to recordings by artists including Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Caitlyn Smith, Old Dominion, Sixpence None the Richer, and Leigh Nash. He co-wrote Dallas Smith's 2023 single "CRZY" and later collaborated with Shaboozey on "Took A Walk," which appeared in the film The Long Walk.

Wilson Jr. released the EP bon aqua in 2023, followed by the 22-song double album søn of dad. The album was dedicated to his father and was named Holler's No. 1 album of 2023. A deluxe edition followed with acoustic and live material, including his interpretation of "Stand by Me."

In 2024, Wilson Jr. made his network television debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers and also appeared in The Late Show with Stephen Colbert's #LateShowMeMusic series and Later...with Jools Holland. He performed the national anthem during the nationally televised 2025 NFL Draft and received a CMA Award nomination for New Artist of the Year.

Wilson Jr. describes his sound as "Death Cab for Country," combining country songwriting with elements of rock and indie music. His influences include country singer Willie Nelson and the grunge band Nirvana.

His 2025 EP Blankets featured covers of songs by Nirvana, Temple of the Dog, the Postal Service, and the Smashing Pumpkins. Wilson Jr. has also credited Soundgarden musicians Kim Thayil and Chris Cornell with helping him learn guitar through their distinctive tunings.