Today, Indiana-born, Nashville-based rising star Stephen Wilson Jr. released a gripping interpretation of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me,” offering a fresh take on the 60+ year-old classic about enduring love. Originally released as a live performance as part of the Live At The Print Shop series, the video immediately went viral, garnering over 1,000,000 views on YouTube and more than 18 million views across social media.
Listen to “Stand By Me” (Live At The Print Shop).
Watch the performance of “Stand By Me” (Live At The Print Shop) on YouTube.
About the cover, Wilson Jr. shares: “‘Stand By Me’ was the song that brought my dad back, if only for a few. It’s the song that started this journey, and it was that song that made it all clear what I was supposed to be doing with my time from that moment on.”
The release of “Stand By Me” (Live At The Print Shop) follows Stephen Wilson Jr.’s duet version of “Father’s Søn” with HARDY, which was released in September to celebrate the one-year anniversary of his debut double album søn of dad. Rolling Stone proclaimed, “It’s a stripped-down but powerful version, with Wilson and Hardy playing acoustic guitars and trading verses. Wilson’s reading of the song is as sturdy and haunting as ever, but Hardy’s naked vocals are a revelation, especially to fans who may only know him for his screamo brand of country.”
In 2024, Wilson Jr.’s career skyrocketed with his late-night television debut on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, where he delivered a raucous performance of his viral hit “Cuckoo.” This was followed by performances of “Year To Be Young 1994” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s #LateShowMeMusic series and Later… with Jools Holland. This fall, CBS News’ Jeff Glor traveled to Nashville for Wilson Jr.’s first major television interview, which was followed by a performance of three songs on CBS Saturday Morning.
Wilson Jr. is currently in the midst of a headline fall tour, making stops in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Nashville, and more. The søn of dad tour will continue into 2025 with shows in Pittsburgh, Detroit, Toronto, and many more. Find a full list of tour dates below or at stephenwilsonjr.com.
Acclaim for søn of dad:
- “The most existential release of the year goes to relative newcomer Stephen Wilson Jr.… if you listen closely, you’ll hear the work of a master craftsman versed in all manners of pop music.” – Rolling Stone
- “…the next iconoclastic leader of country’s rock revival.” – The Tennessean
- “Throughout the album, Wilson Jr. offers the kind of nuanced storytelling that has helped make stars of artists like Eric Church and Chris Stapleton, and he has the vocal prowess to back it up. An extremely promising debut.” – Billboard
- “…the album ultimately feels like a declaration of creative independence — intriguing and insightful at all levels.” – Nashville Scene
Tour Dates
2024
- 11/22: Atlanta, GA - Buckhead Theater
- 11/23: Charlotte, NC - Underground
- 12/4: Nashville, TN - Brooklyn Bowl
- 12/5: Lexington, KY - Manchester
- 12/6: Louisville, KY - Mercury
- 12/8: Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
- 12/10: New York City, NY - Gramercy Theatre
- 12/12: Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theatre
- 12/13: Philadelphia, PA - Brooklyn Bowl
- 12/14: Washington D.C. - Sixth & I
2025
- 2/20: Glasgow, KY - Plaza Theatre
- 2/21: Huntington, WV - The Loud
- 2/22: Pittsburgh, PA - Thunderbird Café & Music Hall
- 3/6: Cincinnati, OH - Bogart’s
- 3/7: Columbus, OH - The Bluestone
- 3/8: Lansing, MI - Grewal Hall at 224
- 3/13: Detroit, MI - Saint Andrew’s Hall
- 3/14: Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern
- 3/15: Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
- 3/27: Wichita, KS - TempleLive
- 3/28: Fayetteville, AR - George’s Majestic Lounge
- 4/10: Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle
- 4/12: Knoxville, TN - Bijou Theatre
