Stephen Wilson Jr. continues to release music that’s uniquely his own, and the latest song – “Hardwired” – drew a lot of inspiration from country icons.
The late blooming artist who has brought the world songs like “Holler from the Holler” and “Grief Is Only Love” has lived a couple of different lives in his lifetime. Hailing from Southern Indiana, Wilson Jr. has certainly made waves in country music over the past couple of years. Wilson Jr. first introduced himself with his EP Bon Aqua in 2023, and then really established himself with his masterful son of dad album he released later that same year.
Now, he’s working towards the release of his sophomore album (at least it would seem). Wilson Jr. has released “Gary,” “Preacher’s Kid,” and now “Hardwired (featuring Miranda Lambert),” and all three songs sound as though they have a through line. The artists hasn’t officially announced a new record on the way, but all signs are pointing towards him crafting one that will really appeal to the working class.
With his latest in “Hardwired,” Stephen Wilson Jr. told The Current that it’s the most country song that he’s ever written:
“This song is one of the most country songs I’ve written, lyrically. I grew up very country. Even though I have a lot of rock and roll influence. I’m like, ‘All hat, no Seattle’ as I joke around.
Being from southern Indiana, I kind of gravitated more to that sound, but I’ve always been super influence by the lyrics of country music.”
The country star went on to say that the likes of George Jones, Johnny Cash and Tim McGraw were the biggest influences he had for what he considers to be his most country song he’s ever released.
Specifically, the way the lyrics of those three artists are constructed worked as an inspiration for him when it came to putting together “Hardwired” and performing it with Miranda Lambert:
“Everything from George Jones and Johnny Cash, even though George didn’t write a lot of his songs. The song that he sang, I really paid close attention to the lyrics. I always tell this story about Tim McGraw made me cry on a school bus at like 12 years old with his ‘Don’t Take The Girl’ song. I’ll never forget how much those lyrics affected me and the journey they took me on.”
Though Wilson Jr. says it’s the “country-est” thing he’s put out in the world, he still recognizes that his sound rides a fine line between country and rock and roll. He describes it as painting similar images to his country music heroes, but with a different brush.
And with “Hardwired” (as well as “Gary”), Wilson Jr. is really pulling from his upbringing:
“This song is very country. It’s very rural. I grew up on a rural route amongst farms. I grew up in a body shop around all these people with grit. I didn’t really know that was going to be uncommon in the future. I’m really just trying to celebrate and shine a light on those character of our society that kind of get under celebrated.”
If you haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet, make sure to check it out:
Stephen Wilson Jr. – “Hardwired (feat. Miranda Lambert)”
2026 Tour Dates:
8/7 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre #
8/8 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater #
8/18 – Maryland Heights, MO – Outlaw Music Festival *
8/21 – East Troy, WI – Outlaw Music Festival *
8/22 – Clarkston, MI – Outlaw Music Festival *
8/23 – Noblesville, IN – Outlaw Music Festival *
8/25 – Tinley Park, IL – Outlaw Music Festival *
8/28 – Wantagh, NY – Outlaw Music Festival *
8/29 – Bethel, NY – Outlaw Music Festival *
8/30 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Outlaw Music Festival *
9/4 – George, WA – Gorge Amphitheatre ^
9/6 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium #
9/11–9/13 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre %
9/15 – Spokane, WA – BECU Live at Northern Quest #
9/17 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre #
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9/24 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic #
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10/15 – Belfast, UK – SSE Arena #
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1/20-23 – Cancun, MX – Dave & Tim Riviera Maya 2027
* Festival
# Gary The Torch Tour
^ Supporting Dave Matthews Band
% Supporting Brandi Carlile
