Stephen Wilson Jr. Releases "Preacher's Kid" Following ACM Award Victory

Independent country artist Stephen Wilson Jr. has released a new single titled "Preacher's Kid," a hard-hitting track that confronts religious hypocrisy and challenges the behavior of those raised in church environments. The release comes within weeks of Wilson Jr. securing his first ACM Award for Visual Media of the Year, recognizing his video work on the track "Cuckoo."

The New Track and Its Message

Written solely by Wilson Jr., "Preacher's Kid" opens with a provocative declaration, as the artist declares indifference toward both religious authority and faith itself. The song progresses through vivid descriptions of moral contradiction—depicting a preacher's son struggling with substance abuse while maintaining a facade of spiritual devotion. The narrative continues by portraying this character crafting testimonies about redemption while simultaneously living a life marked by sin.

In explaining the song's origin, Wilson Jr. described it as grounded in authentic experiences and observations. He reflected on growing up in a strict religious environment where he witnessed glossolalia instruction classes, exorcism rituals, and youth pastors preaching apocalyptic warnings—all before lunch. He also referenced a formative high school experience where a crying youth pastor influenced his girlfriend to leave him, moments that clearly shaped his artistic perspective on institutional religion.

Recent Career Momentum

Wilson Jr.'s trajectory has accelerated dramatically over the past eighteen months. Following his 2023 debut with the bon aqua EP and his subsequent 22-track album Son of Dad, the Indiana-born artist earned a nomination for New Artist of the Year at the 59th CMA Awards in November. His performance of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" at that ceremony introduced him to a broader audience, setting the stage for his continued rise throughout 2025 and into 2026.

The momentum continued when Wilson Jr. released "Gary" at the close of the previous year, a track that has maintained upward chart movement. His collaboration with actor Gary Sinise on the accompanying music video—which he co-directed with longtime creative partner Tim Cofield—marked their ninth collaborative video project. The video premiered on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and subsequent performances followed on This Past Weekend with Theo Von and The Howard Stern Show.

Festival Circuit and Tour Plans

Wilson Jr. performed at multiple major venues recently, including CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, where his setlist featured "Gary," "Cuckoo," and "I'm A Song," concluding with an extended crowd interaction during the outro. His touring schedule reflects significant recognition within the country music establishment. He will perform at Railbird Music Festival, the Outlaw Music Festival, Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic, and additional festivals including FloydFest and Under the Big Sky. Additional dates include support slots for Dave Matthews Band at the Gorge Amphitheatre and Brandi Carlile at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. His headline Gary The Torch Tour will conclude with two nights at The Truth in Nashville on December 11 and 12.