Rising country star and one of our Country Artists to Watch in 2024 Stephen Wilson Jr. has just released the poignant official video for “Grief is Only Love,” a deeply emotional centerpiece of his critically-acclaimed debut double album søn of dad. This album, which pays tribute to Stephen Wilson Sr., was released on September 15, 2023, marking five years since his father’s passing.
Creating the Video
Directed by Stephen Kinigopoulos and Alexa Stone, the video channels Wilson Jr.’s personal journey through loss and love, reflecting the intense emotions he experienced when he unexpectedly lost his father. Much like the main character in the video, Wilson Jr. rushed to be with his father in his final moments and had to say goodbye via an iPhone 8 in Kentucky. Recalling his father’s last words, Wilson Jr. shares, “His last words to me were ‘Write a good song for me’ and then he said, ‘I love you’ four times.”
Stephen Wilson Jr. Shared a Poem to Accompany the Video’s Release
“Brevity is a theme and life is only brief
grief is only love and love is only grief
the gravity of this epiphany
from a life’s mission to what seems like to the moon
Standing proud with my sad flag in a dune of a cratered heart
Unable to tell between the
two at times
One plus one equals
through at times. Learning.
Trying to understand & accept that I won’t understand
Whilst accepting that letting go is perhaps the best heavy hand. Learning.
Life down here is a line far from straight
And this song was a gift to help lighten up the weight.”
Tours and Performances
Following a completely sold-out debut headline tour and performances with The Cadillac Three and HARDY, including his Stagecoach debut, Stephen Wilson Jr. is currently touring with Brothers Osborne and performing at various summer festivals. In July, he will support Joss Stone in Europe, including a notable performance at Royal Albert Hall on July 8, and later join Miranda Lambert in Memphis on September 28.
Tour Dates
- 6/13: Columbus, Ohio – KEMBA Live! Outdoor Amphitheater *
- 6/14: Buffalo, N.Y. – Terminal B at The Outer Harbor *
- 6/15: Sterling Heights, Mich. – Michigan Lottery Amphiteater *
- 6/20: Mack, Colo. – Country Jam Colorado
- 6/21: Colorado Springs, Colo. – Black Sheep – SOLD OUT
- 6/22: Fort Collins, Colo. – Agge Theater
- 6/27: LaFayette, N.Y. – Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards Summer Concert Series *
- 6/28: Newark, N.J. – New Jersey Performing Arts Center – Prudential Hall *
- 6/29: Cleveland, Ohio – Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica *
- 7/6: Madison, Ind. – Roostertail Music Festival
- 7/8: London, U.K. – Royal Albert Hall %
- 7/10: Paris, FR – Casino de Paris %
- 7/11: Ostende, BE – Kursaal Oostende %
- 7/20: Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Stache at The Intersection
- 7/21: Brooklyn, Mich. – Faster Horses Festival
- 7/25: Three Forks, Mont. – Headwaters Country Jam
- 8/1: Detroit Lakes, Minn. – WE Fest
- 9/1: Weston, Colo. – Caveman Music Festival
- 9/13: Pryor, Okla. – Born & Raised Festival
- 9/28: Memphis, Tenn. – Autozone Park #
- 10/24: Birmingham, U.K. – O2 Institute
- 10/25: Newcastle, U.K. – Think Tank
- 10/26: Glasgow, U.K. – King Tut’s
- 10/27: Manchester, U.K. – The Deaf Institute
- 10/29: London, U.K. – Oslo
- 10/30: Cardiff, U.K. – The Globe
- 11/1: Amsterdam, NL – Melkweg Upstairs
- 11/2: Groningen, NL – Take Root Festival
- 11/4: Köln, DE – Club Volta
- 11/5: Berlin, DE – Passionskirche
Television Appearances
– with Brothers Osborne
% – with Joss Stone
– with Miranda Lambert
This Saturday, June 15, Stephen Wilson Jr. will make his U.K. television debut with a performance on Later… with Jools Holland. Earlier this year, he made his television debut on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers with a lively performance of his viral hit “Cuckoo” and performed “Year To Be Young 1994” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s #LateShowMeMusic series.
