Stephen Wilson Jr. made his CMA Awards performance debut on Wednesday night, mesmerizing the crowd with his inventive rendering of “Stand by Me,” Ben E. King’s 1961 hymn that was later recorded by John Lennon in 1975.

Wilson’s performance of “Stand by Me” comes a year after his version of the song went viral following an appearance on the online series Live at the Print Shop . Wilson released that recording soon after.

Onstage at the CMAs, the Indiana native, boxer, and onetime microbiologist sang the song solo, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. It was a revelatory performance, hushing the crowd at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and bringing peers like Brothers Osborne to their feet.

@debbieluvscigs

INSANE 🔥🔥 literally chills @Stephen Wilson Jr. #countryconcert #newmu

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