\n<\/p>\n
The crowd was totally into Wilson Jr.\u2019s spectacular performance, singing along the whole time his soulful voice rang out.<\/p>\n
Wilson Jr. is just one of many people set to perform during the five-hour-long CBS special.<\/p>\n
Headliners Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman will take the stage at Bicentennial Park, where they\u2019ll be joined by CeCe Winans and the Fisk Jubilee Singers.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Riley Green, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban, and Gretchen Wilson will perform at various venues across Music City.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Dwight Yoakam and Marcus King will take the stage at Category 10, home of the official\u00a0New Year\u2019s Eve Live: Nashville\u2019s Big Bash<\/em>\u00a0watch party, with special guests Cody Alan and Caylee Hammack.<\/p>\n Bert Kreischer and Hardy are hosting the special, which will include appearances by comedian Dusty Slay,\u00a0Entertainment Tonight<\/em>\u2018s Cassie DiLaura, Sirius XM host Buzz Brainard, and UFC champion Kayla Harrison.<\/p>\n The performance caps off a big year for the singer, who released his latest EP, Blankets<\/em>, in August. <\/p>\n The EP featured four covers: Nirvana\u2019s \u201cSomething In The Way,\u201d Temple of the Dog\u2019s \u201cHunger Strike,\u201d The Postal Service\u2019s \u201cClark Gable,\u201d and The Smashing Pumpkins\u2019 \u201cTonight, Tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThese songs are songs I grew up listening to. Warm blankets that I can always rely on to take me back. Blankets<\/em> make people warmer than they were. That is the goal,\u201d Wilson Jr. said in a press release<\/a>. \u201cThese productions are intentionally lush and denser than the originals. Four covers to perhaps sort through in the hall closet to help get us through the night. Pull the string on the light.\u201d<\/p>\n Throughout 2025, Wilson Jr. also put out singles with Shaboozey and Noah Cyrus, titled \u201cTook a Walk (from The Long Walk<\/em>)\u201d and \u201cIf There\u2019s a Heaven,\u201d respectively.<\/p>\n Looking ahead to 2026, Wilson Jr. is set to head out on his Gary the Torch Tour<\/em>. The run will kick off on March 6 in Columbus, Ohio, and criss-cross the U.S. He\u2019ll wrap up his run on April 25 in Chicago, Illinois.<\/p>\n On top of his own tour, Wilson Jr. is set to play several festivals in 2026. He\u2019ll also open up for Eric Church on select dates.<\/p>\n Photo by Astrida Valigorsky\/WireImage<\/em>\n<\/div>\nStephen Wilson Jr. Big Year<\/h3>\n