Ryan Stevenson has a new song out, and he is not holding back on what it means to him.
The Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-winning artist released "Oklahoma" this past Friday, May 22, describing it on social media as "a life-altering, watershed moment in my journey." The single is available now on all major streaming platforms, and Stevenson has also released a music video - a "story behind the song" companion piece - on his YouTube channel for fans who want the full context.
Stevenson is one of contemporary Christian music's most consistent voices, with seven number one hits and more than 3.2 billion global streams to his name. His Platinum-certified anthem "Eye of the Storm" remains one of CCM's most recognizable songs of the last decade.
What makes "Oklahoma" stand out is the personal weight behind it. Stevenson was born in Bonanza, Oregon, and has built a career on honest storytelling rooted in faith - so when he calls a song a "watershed moment," that is not promotional language. That is the kind of language he reserves for songs that cost him something.
The release follows his recent album "Valley Lows, Mountain Highs," suggesting "Oklahoma" may be part of a broader new chapter for the artist - one that continues his tradition of mining real-life faith experiences for music that connects.
The "story behind the song" video on YouTube is worth the watch. For an artist whose testimony has always been as compelling as his music, hearing the backstory directly from Stevenson is part of the experience.
"Oklahoma" is out now everywhere you listen to music.
