Stephen Wilson Jr.

Stephen Wilson Jr., self-described as “Death Cab For Country,” brings his unique sound to The Port (Portneuf Health Trust Amphitheatre) in Pocatello, July 19. Tickets are available via ETIX, Friday, March 21, at 10AM.

Wilson Jr. draws upon indie rock, grunge, and country to create a sound influenced by artists as diverse as The National, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Nirvana. He’s taken a winding path to his musical career, making stops as a Golden Gloves boxing finalist, biochemist, and indie rock band member before finding his voice as a solo artist. His genre-defying and celebrated debut double album, søn of dad, released in 2023, cemented him as a force in country and Americana music. The 22-song collection, dedicated to his late father, received widespread critical acclaim, earning accolades from Billboard, Rolling Stone, Whiskey Riff, Wide Open Country, and many more. It was named the Best Album of 2023 by Holler and All Country News and hailed by Rolling Stone as “the most existential release of the year.”

Wilson Jr. signed his first publishing deal with BMG Nashville in 2016, quickly earning cuts with artists like Old Dominion (performing at The Port, August 8), Tim McGraw, Caitlyn Smith, and Sixpence None the Richer. In 2023, he signed with Big Loud Records. 

In addition to his success as a solo artist, Wilson Jr. has become a sought-after songwriter in Nashville, with his songs recorded by a diverse array of artists across multiple genres. Two of his tracks from søn of dad were featured in the SHOWTIME smash series Billions, while “Hometown” appeared in the CBS drama Fire Country. His songwriting prowess and distinctive voice have positioned him as a leading voice in the evolving country music landscape.

This year, Wilson Jr. has released a deluxe edition of søn of dad featuring two new tracks taken from his viral Live at the Print Shop performance: the moving dedication to his late father “I’m A Song” and a gripping reinterpretation of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me,” as well as 10 acoustic versions of fan favorites from the LP.