Stephen Wilson Jr. has expanded his rise in country and Americana music with a busy 2026 schedule following a major career milestone. Last month, he won his first ACM Award, taking Visual Media of the Year for the official video for “Cuckoo,” which he co-directed with longtime creative partner Tim Cofield. The recognition adds to a year that has highlighted both his songwriting and his visual storytelling, with Cofield also collaborating on Wilson Jr.’s ninth project together, the official video for “Gary.” The new video stars award-winning actor Gary Sinise, best known for his roles in Forrest Gump and Apollo 13.
Wilson Jr. introduced “Gary” late last year with a high-energy performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, helping build momentum for the song across television and radio appearances. He later brought the track to audiences on This Past Weekend with Theo Von and The Howard Stern Show, further establishing his reach beyond the core country audience.
This weekend, Wilson Jr. is set to perform at Railbird Music Festival in Lexington, Kentucky, before returning to Nashville on Sunday for a CMA Fest appearance at Nissan Stadium. From there, he will continue a packed touring calendar across the United States and Europe. His headline Gary The Torch Tour will run through the remainder of the year and conclude with two shows at The Truth in Nashville on December 11 and December 12.
Along the way, Wilson Jr. will also appear on several major festival and support dates. He is scheduled to take part in the Outlaw Music Festival, join Dave Matthews Band at the Gorge Amphitheater on September 4, and support Brandi Carlile at Red Rocks Amphitheatre from September 11 to 13. His itinerary includes festival stops such as Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic, Under the Big Sky, FloydFest, St. Pete Country Fest, and Dave & Tim Riviera Maya in January 2027, reflecting a blend of headline performances and high-profile shared bills.
The tour stretches across North America and Europe, with dates in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Cities on the route include Dublin, London, Manchester, Paris, Zurich, Cologne, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Nashville. Several performances are already marked sold out, including shows in Seattle, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Nashville, indicating strong demand for the singer’s live show.
Wilson Jr.’s schedule underscores the momentum he has built through a combination of acclaimed recordings, cinematic videos, and live performances. With an ACM win now added to his resume, new visual work with Tim Cofield, and an extensive tour plan spanning festivals, amphitheaters, and theaters, he enters the second half of 2026 with significant visibility and a rapidly growing audience.
