After his powerful performance at the 59th Annual CMA Awards, rising country artist Stephen Wilson Jr. shared a deeply moving post about his late father, revealing that he truly felt his dad’s presence during the show.

In his emotional message, Wilson wrote that his dad — born in 1959 and who passed away at age 59 — couldn’t miss this moment. “Dad showed up at the CMA’s,” he said.

Wilson admitted he “blacked out” emotionally during the performance. He described feeling an overwhelming energy in the audience, likening it to a “burning bush,” which helped him stay focused. “Everyone tells me he was there. It would’ve knocked me out cold,” he reflected.

He also expressed gratitude for the love and support he’s received: “Thank you to all that listened and to all that took a chance on me. I have been overwhelmed by your love.” He gave a special shoutout to Shaboozey, calling him “a gift from above,” and said performing on stage with him was an honor.

As he looks ahead, Wilson shared that his next stop is Night 1 at Ryman Auditorium — a dream he still hardly believes. “A dream come true. Don’t wake me up, please,” he wrote.

His post resonated deeply with fans, not just for his performance, but for the vulnerable way he honored his dad’s memory — making this CMA moment much more than just a career milestone.

Stephen Wilson Jr.’s Unbelievable CMA Awards Performance Was for His Dad

All Stephen Wilson Jr. brought to the 2025 CMA Awards was a guitar. He left with a standing ovation.

The New Artist of the Year nominee pulled out a cover for his inaugural performance on Country Music’s Biggest Night: Ben E. King’s 1960s classic “Stand by Me.”

In moody lighting on a small stage that jutted into the crowd, Stephen gave an intimate performance that sounded nothing like the original song, in a very good way. It was just him, his guitar, a microphone and a whole lot of heart.

It was gritty, it was raw, it was country.

Janet over on Instagram may have summarized the moment best, noting that it was “a surprising, surreal experience.” Like many others in the comments section of the CMA’s social media post, Janet admits she hadn’t heard of Wilson Jr. before she caught him on ABC on Wednesday night (November 19).

“This performance was captivating,” she added.

Little Big Town and Brothers Osborne seemed to agree. Cameras showed both groups on their feet as the song ended, hollering and pumping fists into the air. When the camera pulled back to show the room, it was a full-on standing ovation inside of Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Unfortunately, the wider view meant viewers at home missed a touching moment, when Stephen Wilson Jr. raised a beaded necklace to the sky, as if to tip a hat to someone who’s no longer with him.

That person is undoubtedly his father — Stephen’s entire 2023 debut album, søn of dad, is dedicated to his dad, who died several years back before an undisclosed medical procedure, per The Tennessean.