Story submitted by local community producer
Christian music artist Josh Wilson is bringing more than music to Wisconsin this summer — he’s bringing a message of hope, healing, and recovery.
During a heartfelt interview on Build a Stage Productions, Wilson opened up about his personal battle with alcohol addiction, his journey to sobriety, and how faith transformed his life.
Known for hit songs like “Dream Small,” “Savior Please,” “I Refuse,” and his latest release “Who’s Your Neighbor?”, Wilson has spent more than two decades building a career in Christian music. His live performances have become legendary among fans for his one-man-band style, where he uses looping technology to layer guitars, percussion, keyboards, and vocals in real time — sometimes playing up to 20 instruments in a single show.
But during the interview, Wilson revealed that behind the success and chart-topping songs was a hidden struggle with anxiety and alcohol addiction.
“I was using alcohol to sort of self-medicate that anxiety,” Wilson said. “It felt like in the short term that it was working. But in the long term, it took more and more alcohol to turn down that anxiety.”
Wilson explained that despite growing up in church as the son of a pastor and following Jesus from a young age, addiction still became part of his story.
“I don’t call myself a Christian because I have it all together,” he shared. “I call myself a Christian because I don’t.”
The turning point came when Wilson stopped hiding his struggle and reached out for help.
“I called my friend James and said, ‘I’m drinking too much. I don’t know how to quit, but I need help.’ That was the beginning of recovery for me.”
Wilson is now approaching nine years sober and says honesty, accountability, and faith were key to his healing journey. Although he initially kept his recovery private, he eventually began sharing it publicly after feeling called by God to speak openly from the stage.
The interview also highlighted Wilson’s upcoming appearance at the June 13 Made New Recovery Seminar and Music Festival at Whispering Oaks Concert Venue, where he will headline an event focused on addiction recovery, worship, and testimony.
Wilson said the event’s mission deeply resonates with his own story.
“If there’s something God is calling you to do in your life — whether you think it’s too big or too small — if He’s calling you to do it, you should do it,” Wilson said.
The singer also discussed his beloved song “I Refuse,” explaining that it was inspired by the devastating Nashville flood and his realization that prayer must be accompanied by action.
“I can’t do everything, but I refuse to do nothing,” Wilson said, summarizing the song’s message.
Fans can also look forward to new music from Wilson later this month. His upcoming album, How Loved You Are, follows his previous record Mental Help and focuses on themes of joy, healing, and redemption after struggles with anxiety, depression, and addiction.
As the interview concluded, Wilson left listeners with one final message for anyone struggling in silence:
“Tell God. Tell a trusted friend. Ask for help,” he said. “We all need help.”