Music Minute: Stephen Wilson Jr. - Billy

 

Country rock singer/songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr. defines what it truly means to be labeled as a “hillbilly” in his aptly-named, telling single “billy,” available everywhere today. Written and produced by Wilson Jr. with added production from Ben West, Wilson Jr. tips his hat to his hometown and reveals the simplistic, but misunderstood way of life granted by his deep southern roots. Born and raised on the cusp of Appalachia in rural Southern Indiana, “billy” finds Wilson Jr. taking ownership over his often stereotyped and non-traditional upbringing, “you can call me billy but the hill comes with me / half-mud blood, half-mule kick whiskey / feelin' right at home when it all goes south.”   LISTEN TO “billy” HERE    "I never loved being called a hillbilly. It always seemed like an insult or at least an insinuation of a lack of intelligence, especially being that the hillbillies I was kin to were – and are – smart people. They just chose to live a life of simplicity,” shares Wilson Jr. “This song was a fun attempt to deconstruct that word and shed light on the simplicity of a good life and perhaps a good person. I loved the idea of a country-as-hell person with a rough upbringing, being proud to be 'kind as the day is long.'”   In May, Wilson Jr. released the emotional track “Holler” which Billboard recognized as a track that “fits a country path blazed by Johnny Cash,” which went on to earn five independent film awards. Earlier this year, Wilson Jr. took his talent overseas when he toured alongside Brothers Osborne in Europe before hitting the road across the U.S. with Midland, The Cadillac Three and more. Rounding out the summer at festivals like Under The Big Sky and Oyster Ridge Music Festival, Wilson Jr. will continue writing and recording new music in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit his website here or keep up with him on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

ABOUT STEPHEN WILSON JR.: The story of Stephen Wilson Jr.'s path from the son of a single father in rural Southern Indiana to a successful singer/songwriter in Nashville could probably be the basis for a great song. It would be a better screenplay.   Stephen was a Golden Gloves boxing finalist as a child (continuing the tradition of his father) who taught himself how to play guitar as a teenager. The boxer turned into a microbiologist after graduating from MTSU, but instead chose the life of an indie rocker, releasing music and touring with his band AutoVaughn.   After five years on the road, Stephen decided to focus more on his songwriting and singing in Nashville. He became a food scientist doing research and development for pet food at Mars during the day, while he worked on his music at night.   In 2016, his writing earned him a publishing deal with BMG Nashville and Stephen is now a full-time singer/songwriter. He has had songs recorded by Caitlyn Smith & Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, Tim McGraw and Trace Atkins, among many others.   Stephen is now releasing his own music that reflects upon his life and explores the entire emotional spectrum: fear, joy, nostalgia, empowerment and remorse.