Hardy Joins Stephen Wilson Jr. for a Must-Hear Version of ‘Father’s Son’

At the start of every Stephen Wilson Jr. performance, the songwriter announces exactly who he is to his audience: “I am my father’s son.” Those words form the basis of Wilson’s debut album Son of Dad , released last year and still making waves with its personal tales of navigating grief following the death of Wilson’s father. On Friday, SWJ dropped a new version of the song “Father’s Son,” reimagined as a duet with Hardy.

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Wilson opened for Hardy during the “Truck Bed” singer’s recent tour and performed “Father’s Son” live onstage together. They reunited after the tour to record it and film a performance video, directed by Jace Kartye. It’s a stripped-down but powerful version, with Wilson and Hardy playing acoustic guitars and trading verses. Wilson’s reading of the song is as sturdy and haunting as ever, but Hardy’s naked vocals are a revelation, especially to fans who may only known him for his screamo brand of country.

“My friend Hardy and I sang a song that’s dear to my soul. We are both our fathers’ sons. He was so kind to pull me up on stage and play this song in front of his fans in the middle of his shows on his tour. Indelible memories I am grateful for,” Wilson said in a statement. “It sounded so good I couldn’t help but ask him to sing it with me again. And he did.”

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“This song is incredible, and I thank SWJ for letting me be a part of this new version,” Hardy said in part.

Wilson is currently on his headlining Son of Dad Tour and will also make an appearance at the Born & Raised festival in Pryor, Oklahoma this weekend.

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