Inspired by her late brother, Anne Wilson has quickly built a devoted — and often young — audience for her ‘faith-driven’ music. She plays Detroit on Saturday and a sold-out show in Grand Rapids on Sunday.
Anne Wilson: Her star shines in an inspirational way, with two Michigan concerts this weekend. (Courtesy Photo)
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Singer Anne Wilson still feels the grief following the tragic death of her older brother.
“Loss is something that never goes away for anyone whose experienced it,” Wilson said during a recent interview with Local Spins. “Every single day we think of him, and there are still days that are very hard for our family.”
Jacob Wilson died in a car accident eight years ago, when he was just 23 years old. Anne was a young teen at the time. This year, Anne turned 23.
“Twenty-Three,” one of the songs on her new album, “Stars,” is dedicated to his memory.
“I will always honor him on every record, even if it’s just one song on an album,” said Anne, who has done just that on each of her three studio releases.
The Stars Tour: Wilson’s Sunday show at DeVos Performance Hall is sold out. (Courtesy Photo)
Wilson’s tour behind the new album stops at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids on Sunday (Nov. 16). The 7:30 p.m. concert is sold out. Wilson also performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 15) at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit. Tickets for that show are still available online here.
Her brother’s death has an added layer for the Kentucky native. She pursued music because of his loss: Her video version of a worship song she performed at his memorial service caught the ears of music industry officials who latched onto her expressively raw and tight vibrato vocals.
She had a record deal before she finished high school.
Her latest album once again is co-written by veteran artist-songwriters Matthew West and Jeff Pardo. It’s her most vulnerable yet, with sensitive ballads such as “Carry Me” and a title track which finds her on stage “seeing herself in a little girl’s face.”
Wilson’s music has caught on with young girls. The response to the song “Hey Girl” from her first album helped launch the website heygirlnation.com and a devotional book.
“I have a broad range of people who come to my concerts,” she offered. “But definitely there’s been an increase in little girls – from three up to college age.”
“I’m right at the heart of Generation Z, so hopefully I’ve been an inspiration and an encouragement to them.”
On her new album comes the country-laced “Hold Your Horses,” with the suggestion to put the brakes on a developing romantic relationship until you’re sure he’s the right guy.
She’s performed at Van Andel Arena twice – on the giant Winter Jam tours in 2023 and earlier this year, with girls well-represented in the audience.
Recently, Wilson amassed 2 billion song streams on various digital platforms.
‘REALLY AUTHENTIC IN COMBINING GENRES,’ SPREADING THE GOSPEL
The artist has always liked country music, but as a rookie talent she emerged big in Christian music with her 2021 smash hit, “My Jesus.” It topped charts, won awards, and is still her signature song.
The New Album: “STARS”
Her follow up album, “REBEL,” was described by Billboard as “fully fusing the two genres.”
Now she’s had videos on CMT, was part of CMA Fest, and opened a pair of concerts last summer for country superstar Morgan Wallen. Sixty-five thousand heard her music in Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif. And she’s comfortable with the country connection.
“My music is very faith-driven, and I obviously love country music,” she said. “But I’m really authentic in combining the genres and spreading the gospel further and wider.”
Regarding her vocals, she says she really hasn’t thought through her emotive style.
“Every voice is unique in some way, shape or form,” she offered. “I’ve had some people say it (her voice) reminded them of Dolly Parton’s vibrato or Lauren Daigle, but I never really think about that.”
VIDEO: Anne Wilson, “God Story”
VIDEO: Anne Wilson, “Hold Your Horses”
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