Indiana-born, Nashville-based rising star Stephen Wilson Jr. commemorates the third anniversary of his debut double album ‘søn of dad‘ with the release of ‘Cørnerman’, a deeply personal tribute to his father on the eight-year anniversary of his passing.
Listen to ‘Cørnerman‘ – here
Last week, Wilson Jr. earned four nominations at the 60th Annual CMA Awards, making him one of the year’s top nominees. His nominations include both Song and Music Video of the Year for his single ‘Gary’, which he was the sole songwriter on, and for the accompanying video, which he co-directed with Tim Cofield. He also receives recognition in both the New Artist and Male Vocalist of the Year categories.
Last year, Wilson Jr. received a first-time nomination for New Artist of the Year at the 59th Annual CMA Awards and performed twice – first, a solo performance of his viral cover of ‘Stand By Me’, which garnered widespread acclaim, and next, with Shaboozey for their collaboration ‘Took A Walk’ from the critically-acclaimed Stephen King adaptation The Long Walk. He has received a total of five CMA Awards nominations.
The official video for ‘Gary’ marked his ninth collaboration with director Tim Cofield who also directed his official video for ‘Cuckoo‘, which took home the ACM Award for Visual Media of the Year in May.
Recently, Wilson Jr. released his latest single ‘Hardwired‘ featuring Miranda Lambert, which Billboard hailed as an “ode to blue-collar workers of all stripes.” ‘Hardwired‘ followed this summer’s release of ‘Gary’ (Live From CMA Fest 2026)‘ and ‘Preacher’s Kid‘, which was named a Song You Need To Know by Rolling Stone.
Throughout the rest of the year, Wilson Jr. will tour the US and Europe on his headline Gary The Torch Tour that will culminate with two shows at The Truth in Nashville, TN on December 11 and 12. Tomorrow through Sunday, he will also be supporting Brandi Carlile at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. UK tour dates below. Find a full list of tour dates on his website.
Tour Dates:
10/15 – Belfast, UK – SSE Arena #
10/17 – Sligo, IE – Sligo Live Festival * SOLD OUT
10/19 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy Glasgow # SOLD OUT
10/20 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy Glasgow # SOLD OUT
10/22 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton # SOLD OUT
10/23 – Bristol, UK – The Prospect Building # SOLD OUT
10/25 – Manchester, UK – O2 Victoria Warehouse # SOLD OUT
* Festival
# Gary The Torch Tour
About Stephen Wilson Jr.:
Stephen Wilson Jr.’s journey from the hollers of southern Indiana to Nashville, Tenn. has been a winding road that’s taken many detours: He’s been an Indiana State Golden Gloves boxing finalist, a scientist, and a lead guitarist and songwriter in an indie rock band. In 2016, he ditched his laboratory nine-to-five and signed a publishing deal with BMG Nashville where his alchemic song craft immediately made waves, earning cuts from Caitlyn Smith, Old Dominion, Tim McGraw, Sixpence None the Richer, Leigh Nash, and more.
2023 proved to be Wilson Jr.’s breakthrough year, signing with Big Loud Records and releasing his debut double album ‘søn of dad‘: a triumphant, genre-spanning set of 22 songs dedicated to his late father and given to the world on the five-year anniversary of his death. The album was named the No. 1 album of 2023 by Holler who called it “a record for the ages”, and earned a spot as one of the best albums of the year from Whiskey Riff, Wide Open Country, music critic Grady Smith, and Rolling Stone.
Last year, he toured with Brothers Osborne, The Cadillac Three, Midland, Hailey Whitters, and The Lone Bellow, with debuts at the Grand Ole Opry, Stagecoach, the Ryman Auditorium, CMA Fest, and Red Rocks. This year, he’ll hit the road with HARDY, Brothers Osborne, Charles Wesley Godwin, and The Cadillac Three with festival appearances at C2C, Tortuga, Stagecoach, Country Thunder, and more.
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