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Does rising country music star Stephen Wilson Jr. have family ties to John Mellencamp? There’s all kinds of fun facts about the “Year To Be Young 1994” singer. Stephen Wilson Jr. has lived a couple of different lives in his lifetime (he started out as a boxer, then he worked as a scientist for the MARs company for years). Hailing from Southern Indiana, Wilson Jr. has certainly made waves in country music over the past couple of years. Wilson Jr. first introduced himself with his EP Bon Aqua in 2023, and then really established himself with his masterful Son of Dad album he released later that same year. And to add to the list of fun facts I mentioned just a second ago, the 46-year-old artist was announced as a “New Artist of the Year” nominee at the CMA Awards, alongside Ella Langley, Shaboozey, Zach Top, and Tucker Wetmore. It’s nice that Wilson Jr. is finally being recognized for his musical contributions, but it’s rare to see a “new artist” that is closer to 50 than they are 30. The #CMAawards New Artist of the Year nominees are … @EllaLangleyMsic @ShaboozeysJeans @ZachTopMusic @TuckerWetmore Stephen Wilson Jr. (@SWJMusic) pic.twitter.com/AH10j9WTYv — CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) September 8, 2025 In fact, if Wilson were to win the award, he’d be the oldest artist to ever take home the New Artist of the Year award since it first started in 1981. At first glance, he appears to be the oldest nominee ever. For reference, Darius Rucker was 43 when he won in 2009, but was also already a music superstar at that point in his career, and Jelly Roll was 39 when he won in 2023. All that to say… it’s never too late to chase your dreams. And it’s pretty cool that Stephen Wilson Jr. chased his dreams and made it to the top from his humble beginnings in Seymour, Indiana. If the name of that town sounds oddly familiar, it’s also the hometown of 1980s rocker John Cougar Mellencamp – the man behind such hits as “Hurts So Good” and “Jack & Diane.” Wilson Jr. often mentions how big of a fan he is of Mellencamp, and shared in a 2o24 interview that he was “the soundtrack to my childhood.” The country singer also revealed that he’s actually a distant relative of the rock icon. While on Live At The Print Shop, Stephen Wilson Jr. explained that his father briefly dated a family member of Mellencamp’s, and that his mother is actually cousins with the rock star: “I met him when I was a kid. I’m oddly related to him. My mom was a Mellencamp. It’s a big family. I have a grandma Mellencamp. The family is really kind of big and divided. My dad actually dated (John Mellencamp’s) sister for a time… my momma’s cousin. So I actually went to his wedding when I was 12 years old because of my dad dating his sister.” View this post on Instagram So if that ever comes up during trivia night, now you know. The family tree sounds like it’s a little complicated, but Stephen Wilson Jr. said himself that he and John Mellencamp are technically related. And it sounds like the only time they ever crossed paths was when he was 12 years old at the singer-songwriter’s wedding. Certainly seems like the two guys from Seymour, Indiana who have made it in the music industry could link up and catch up, am I right? Guess Stephen Wilson Jr. could always wait for the “Mellencamp Reunion” to come around. You can hear Stephen Wilson Jr. talk about his connection to the rock legend in the interview below: “Stephen Wilson Jr. (Live at the Print Shop)” The post Is Country Music Star Stephen Wilson Jr. Related To John Mellencamp? first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

A potential duet coming soon? Since breaking out into the mainstream in 2022 with his first #1 hit on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart, “Gratitude,” Brandon Lake has firmly planted himself as a staple in Christian/worship music genre. As one of the biggest stars in Christian music today, the Texas native has scored major awards within the genre, including but not limited to multiple Grammy awards for his work with Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music as well as over a dozen Dove Awards for his solo work. Recently, however, he’s been collecting country crossovers at quite a steady rate. Back in February, the South Carolina native teamed up with Jelly Roll on a re-release of his 2024 single, “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” and it’s been nothing short of a smash hit. Beyond scoring a #1 hit on both of Billboard’s religious charts, Hot Christian and Christian Airplay, the track’s success, along with Forrest Frank’s viral smash “Your Way’s Better,” marked the first time two separate Christian songs made Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart for the first time in over a decade. Additionally, “Hard Fought Hallelujah” would bring Lake and Jelly Roll home three separate Dove Awards for Song, Short Form Music Video and Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year. It seems like Lake isn’t done making major crossovers into country, however. In addition to his surprise appearance with Cole Swindell when the pair teamed up to perform his latest single inspired by the assassination of Charlie Kirk, “Make Heaven Crowded,” the “I Know A Name” singer recently dropped the bombshell that his heavily-rumored duet with Cody Johnson on his recent single, “When A Cowboy Prays,” has been recorded and is coming soon. Today, Lake added more fuel to the fire in terms of more exploration into country music with a teaser of a brand new song, “The Jesus I Know Now,” which was co-written with none other than reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year and CMA Awards host, Lainey Wilson. Taking to Instagram this morning, Lake would share the song and note in the caption that he wrote the song along with Wilson, Emily Weisband (co-writer of Daniel Bradberry’s “Sway” and BTS and Halsey’s “Boy With Luv”)  and Luke Laird (co-writer of Eric Church’s “Drink in My Hand,” Jon Pardi’s “Head Over Boots” and Kenny Chesney’s “American Kids”) after a conversation about they’ve encountered false teachings of the Word throughout their lives. “Been loving this new one I wrote with Lainey Wilson, Emily Weisband and Luke Laird after talking about people’s experience getting taught a different Jesus than one we know now.” As for the song itself, it’s nothing short of a testament to the redeeming power of faith and the forgiveness found in both the Bible and Jesus’ teachings. Setting the stage in the first verse, Lake lays out the preconceived notions held by many non-believers, remarking how he was always told that Jesus was an angry figure who would cast out any sinners if they walked off the straight in narrow. “I was told he was angry Didn’t like the music up too loud I was told he would save me If I showed up to Church and I shut my mouth If I smoke, if I drank, if I cussed I’d think I was on the long black train to Hell Yeah I thought I knew Him Til I met him for myself” In the chorus, however, Lake contrasts his preconceived notions of His teachings with the reality that Jesus was never one to cast off those who have been led astray, remarking that the Jesus he knows now was seen with all the misfits and outcasts. “But the Jesus I know now ain’t shaking a fist, ain’t raising a proud Yeah, the Jesus I know now ain’t running away from a party crowd I found a friend Who hangs with the misfits, less-thans, forgives and forgives again Can’t believe I was missing out On the Jesus I know now” Feeling reminiscent in a way to Ashley McBryde and Benjy Davis’ stunning reflection of faith, sin and forgiveness on her 2022 deep cut, “Gospel Night At The Strip Club,” Lake, along with Wilson, Weisband and Laird, touch on the often-forgotten point that some of the most compelling stories present in the Bible revolve around the overwhelming grace and forgiveness displayed by Jesus’ teachings. As Lake notes in the chorus, Jesus was much more concerned about saving those who don’t fall into the stereotypical “Christian” archetype compared to those who present themselves as one of the saved. Whether he releases it solo or as a duet with Wilson in the future, it looks like Lake has another massive cross-over Christian hit here with “The Jesus I Know Now.” Listen here: View this post on Instagram The post Brandon Lake Teases Powerful New Song Co-Written With Lainey Wilson, “The Jesus I Know” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.