Shaboozey and Stephen Wilson Jr. on How They ‘Took a Walk’ Into Stephen King Land With Their ‘Long Walk’ Theme (and Wilson’s Own Viral ‘Stand by Me’ Cover)

During the CMA Awards ceremony, Shaboozey and Stephen Wilson Jr. unveiled the inaugural live television rendition of their collaborative ballad, "Took a Walk." The song was created for "The Long Walk," a cinematic adaptation of a Stephen King story, and offers a melodic counterpoint to the film's brutal dystopian setting. Its central theme suggests that unity can be discovered at the end of even the most arduous path.

Speaking at the Variety CMA Awards Interview Lounge, the duo explained the track's genesis. Shaboozey, a self-declared superfan of Stephen King's classics like "Christine" and "The Shining," revealed his involvement started after the movie's trailer featured his song "Last of My Kind." Seizing the opportunity, he inquired about further creative contributions and was subsequently invited to compose an end-credit piece. After an early screening of the film moved him profoundly, he wrote the song in a single day, quickly assembling his band to flesh out the chords and arrangement.

Shaboozey knew Stephen Wilson Jr. was the ideal collaborator, quipping that his own band members are such big fans they'd "rather play for him." Wilson, an artist on the Big Loud label—a powerhouse in Nashville recognized for breaking modern country stars—described the project as a "full circle" moment, given his own deep appreciation for King's work. The two had first connected years earlier at a CMA after-party, just before Shaboozey's career skyrocketed. They expressed mutual admiration then, making the eventual call to collaborate feel predestined.

For Wilson, the collaboration felt spiritually aligned. He credits his career launch partly to his viral solo cover of "Stand By Me," a song intrinsically linked to another Stephen King story, "The Body." Performing that very song on the CMAs alongside the new duet made the experience surreal. He received Shaboozey's demo with a verse and chorus already in place and focused on complementing the foundation, writing and recording his part within days. The swift journey from conception to the national stage felt like a meaningful, almost fated, sequence of events.

The artists were careful to avoid revealing key plot details for the already-released film but noted a thematic parallel: the duet's structure reflects the movie's conclusion, which centers on two characters. Shaboozey had recently concluded his Great American Road Show, a touring concept he had envisioned for years to celebrate the pursuit of new beginnings and cultural freedom. He expressed a desire to use his platform to highlight shared objectives like mutual respect and cultural diversity. Wilson echoed this, stating the song and film collectively aim to level the playing field and remind audiences of our collective, fragile humanity.

Looking ahead, Wilson discussed his new single "Gary," a track from a sophomore album slated for 2026. He explained the song is an ode to the often-invisible, practical individuals—the "Garys" of the world—who maintain society by fixing everything from plumbing to septic systems. In contrast, Shaboozey was more guarded about his 2026 plans, confirming only that he is deeply immersed in work and eager to continue his evolution as a storyteller. Both were nominees for the CMA Best New Artist award, which was claimed by Zach Top. They took the nomination in good humor, with Wilson likening the experience to a nerdy 90s movie character being nominated for prom king and Shaboozey jokingly cautioning him not to pull a "Carrie" and bring the arena down on them.