Country music is on the rise in popular culture, and one of the most promising up-and-coming stars of the genre is Stephen Wilson Jr.. Wilson is a native of Seymour, Indiana, and his family still lives in the town. He first moved to Nashville to pursue a career in biology but eventually began a career as a country singer. Wilson describes his style as “Death Cab for Country,” and cites Willie Nelson and Nirvana as major influences on his music, which blends country and alternative rock.
Wilson signed with BMG Nashville and began writing his own music and songs for other artists. In March 2023, he signed with Big Loud Records and released his debut EP Bon Aqua. Wilson released the album Søn of Dad later in 2023, which reached number 17 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and topped the iTunes Country Album Charts. Since the release of his debut album, Wilson has performed at multiple large festivals such as Glastonbury and Bourbon and Beyond. Wilson also has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in country music, such as Luke Combs, Brandi Carlile, and Hardy.
On April 24, 2025, Wilson put on the largest performance of his career. He performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” in Green Bay, Wisconsin, before the first round of the NFL Draft. The performance received mixed reactions, with many online commenters lamenting the NFL’s choice to have Wilson perform instead of a more established artist. However, the live audience at Lambeau Field responded well to Wilson’s national anthem performance. Wilson also paid homage to John Mellencamp, another famous singer from Seymour, when he played the guitar riff to Mellencamp’s “Pink Houses” at the end of the song.
Stephen Wilson Jr. has not forgotten his southern Indiana roots, as he is returning to Jackson County on August 2, 2025, to perform at Rock The Rind in Brownstown. This performance comes just a week after the iconic Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island, which Wilson will also perform. Wilson’s set will close out Rock The Rind, a key component of the Jackson County Watermelon Festival. Tracy Byrd and Justin Moore will also headline the yearly festival in downtown Brownstown, Indiana.
