November 19, 2025: Today, the Indiana-born, Nashville-based rising star Stephen Wilson Jr. releases his new single “Gary” via Big Loud Records, kicking off the beginning of a new era following his massively successful 2023 debut double album søn of dad. The track premiered last night with an electrifying performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. The slow burning rocker builds to a propulsive peak, combining Wilson Jr.’s grunge influences with his signature lyricism that touches upon modern life in Middle America.
Wilson Jr. is nominated for New Artist of the Year at tonight’s CMA Awards, where he will also perform twice. He will play his moving rendition of “Stand By Me,” which has earned over 20 million global on demand streams to date, and will join fellow New Artist of the Year nominee Shaboozey for a special performance of “Took A Walk,” their song from the critically-acclaimed 2025 film The Long Walk, based on the novel by Stephen King.