“I had an uncle Gary — we lost him in 2013 — and this song brought him back to me for a moment tonight. He was a ’70s kid, ten years ahead of me, and our working-class family was close, so he was always part of my world. I can still picture him with a cigarette on his lip, fixing anything with a hammer. There really were more Garys back then.  And last December, my fiancée surprised me with front-row seats to SJW's show on my birthday. It was one of those nights that stays with you.  Hearing this now, especially that last verse, hit home. It was nice to see him again, if only in my mind, for a moment. Thank you.

August

Saving Grace

Man Of The North

Dig A Hole

Gooseneck Party

Air It Out (feat. Piper Butcher)

Momma Loves Me

Gary

In denial all the time
Can’t get nicotine off my mind
Such a dirty habit I know
And I go to bed
With a craving in my head

Screaming at the umpires 
And making lousy bets
I guess that why I smoke too many cigarettes
Rooting for the underdogs 
And hoping for the best 
I guess that why I smoke too many cigarettes
I guess that why I smoke too many cigarettes

All the characters that you meet 
Smoking Cigarettes on the street 
Or stepping quietly out of the bar 
To count passing cars
Or stare up at the stars

Skimming through the syllabus
And flunking all the tests 
I guess that why I smoke too many cigarettes
Memorizing poetry with 
No one to impress
I guess that why I smoke too many cigarettes
I guess that why I smoke too many cigarettes

I’ve been beating my lungs 
And the reason is a mystery
I’m young and I’m dumb 
And I’m basking in the mystery 
And embers and smoke
I’ll buy another pack
Until I wise up or choke

Pondering the mysteries
And glamorizing death 
I guess that why I smoke too many cigarettes
Suffocating all the 
Emotions in my chest 
I guess that why I smoke too many cigarettes
I guess that why I smoke too many cigarettes
I guess that why I smoke

Smoke Cigarettes

American Love Song

Wolves

Stephen Wilson Jr. is a singer/songwriter from rural Southern Indiana. Self-described as “Death Cab For Country,” Stephen Wilson Jr. draws upon indie rock, grunge and country to create a distinct sound that is influenced by artists as diverse as The National, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Nirvana.

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Wilson was raised by a single father who was a boxer and had him boxing from age seven through adulthood as an Indiana State Golden Gloves finalist. The self-taught guitarist moved to Nashville to pursue a degree in Microbiology at MTSU, where he started indie rock band AutoVaughn after finishing his degree. After five years of touring the world as lead guitarist with AutoVaughn, Wilson turned his creative focus toward songwriting and singing. After the band, Wilson relied back on his education where he worked for several years as an R&D scientist at Mars until signing a publishing deal with BMG Nashville in 2016. His songs were soon recorded by acts like Caitlyn Smith, Brothers Osborne, Old Dominion, MacKenzie Porter, Sixpence None the Richer and Leigh Nash.

 

Wilson went on to self-release several songs of his own including, "the devil", "Year To Be Young 1994", "The Beginning", "Holler From The Holler" - which won 6 independent film festival awards for its accompanying music video - and "billy", which caught the attention of Billboard who featured the single in its ‘Makin’ Tracks’ column. Wilson went on to tour the US and Europe with acts like Brothers Osborne, Midland, and Cadillac Three developing a global base of music fans enamored by his emotive performance, skilled guitar prowess, and powerful vocals.

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In March 2023, he signed to Big Loud Records, and released his debut EP bon aqua. The seven-song collection compiles 6 previously released songs and the brand new single “American Gothic” (feat. Hailey Whitters). Wilson joined Whitters on road as direct support for her Raised Tour and is scheduled to support The Lone Bellow this Spring before performing at Bourbon and Beyond Festival, FairWell Festival and CMA Fest later this year. He is also scheduled to appear at London’s Black Deer Festival and Highways Festival at Royal Albert Hall this year.

Gary

Stephen Wilson Jr.

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