Stephen Wilson Jr.’s ‘Stand by Me’ CMA performance goes viral worldwide

Stephen Wilson Jr. left the crowd speechless with his soulful rendition of Stephen King’s song Stand by Me at the 2025 CMA Awards.

Wilson, who previously worked as a microbiologist and a boxer, became a songwriter in 2016.

After his father’s death in 2018, he began to consider the idea of stepping into the limelight. This year he finally released his debut album, son of dad.

During his appearance at the CMA awards, Holler from the Holler singer, gave a mesmerising performance, covering Ben E. King’s Stand by Me.

Ahead of the performce, while speaking to Billboard at the event, he shared what made him choose the song for the performance.

"I’m a big Stephen King fan," Wilson said. "I play this song called Stand By Me, which I’m playing tonight as well, because of a movie called Stand By Me based off a Stephen King [story called The Body]."

Sharing the special meaning this song holds for him, he continued, "It’s been haunting me my whole life. I started playing this song after my dad died to kinda bring him back. I turned it into a hymn for me."

Following the performance, fans still stuck in the moving act, praised the singer.

One fan on social media said, "Stephen , you are a light."

Another said, "Literally the most underrated artist of our time @steven.wilsonre Seeing him live is a special thing."

In addition to the fans, few celebrities also lauded him, including, 9-1-1: Nashville star LeAnn Rimes declared, "now, that is REAL [red heart]."

Brandi Carlile said, "This was UNREAL [fire]."

Dan + Shay’s Shay Mooney called it, "BEST MOMENT OF THE NIGHT PERIOD. @stephen.wilson.jr."

The 59th Annual CMA Awards broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 19.