Stephen Wilson Jr.

Country music comes in many different forms and flavors, and even more so it seems in recent years. While oftentimes you think of acoustic guitars, fiddles and cowboy garb, that isn't all there is to it.

Arguably since its origins, country music has been deeply rooted in rock music with quite the thin line separating the two at times. Towing the line between them are a class of artists that have started to make lots of noise that's been turning a ton of heads, and among them is Big Loud's newest alt-country prodigy, Stephen Wilson Jr..

From southern Indiana, Wilson was influenced early on by the likes of both classic country icons like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, as well as the giants of classic rock and '90s pioneer bands like Nirvana.

Raised by a single father who was a boxer, Wilson took on the family business at the age of 7 and continued it on through his twenties, eventually becoming an Indiana State Golden Gloves finalist. When it came time for college, he left the cornfields of home in search of a microbiology degree from Middle Tennessee State University. During his senior year, the self-taught guitarist started indie rock band, AutoVaughn, which took him out on the road for the better part of five years and cracked open his love for songwriting.

After leaving the band and returning to his scientific pursuits, Wilson landed a publishing deal with BMG in August of 2016 which has opened the floodgates for the burgeoning entertainer and earned him cuts from Caitlyn Smith and Old Dominion, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Kameron Marlowe, Sixpence None the Richer and more.

Releasing his first string of singles in 2019, including 'billy,' 'the devil,' the award-winning 'Holler From The Holler,' his quintessential 'Year To Be Young 1994' and more, Wilson has been weaving together his signature concoction of indie rock, grunge and country in a cocktail that he calls "Death Cab For Country" ever since.

Wilson inked a recording deal with Big Loud Records in March of 2023 and quickly presented fans with his debut EP, bon aqua, with news of his debut album set to drop in September.

Winning over legions of fans with his emotive performances, skilled guitar prowess and powerful vocals, Wilson is a shining beacon of left-of-center light in the country genre that we will have our eyes on for years to come.