From Charleston to the music charts: Stephen Thomas reflects on success and his West Virginia roots

By Hannah Yost, The Real WV

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Stephen Thomas, a Charleston native, is building a career marked by genre-defying music and growing national recognition. His breakout rock and alternative work has landed on major radio and Billboard charts, while his crossover into country music has expanded his audience even further. With viral momentum across platforms like TikTok and multiple Grammy considerations, Thomas continues to push beyond traditional boundaries — all while carrying his West Virginia roots with him.

For Thomas, West Virginia is not easy to define in simple terms. It’s a place he describes as both “wild and wonderful,” full of natural beauty and meaningful experiences — but also one that presents challenges, especially for young people trying to build a future.

“West Virginia is a beautiful place,” he said. “It has its ups and downs like every other place. You have to find yourself in a place that has more ups than it does downs.”

That balance — between appreciation and limitation — is something Thomas has navigated for much of his life. Growing up in West Virginia shaped his perspective through its landscapes and experiences, while also leaving him searching for something more.

“I’ve felt like that every day,” he said, when asked about moments of not quite fitting in.

That feeling ultimately played a role in his decision to leave, paired with a long-standing desire to travel and seek new experiences and opportunities beyond the state.

Thomas said opportunities in West Virginia can be “few and far between,” particularly in creative industries. For artists with larger ambitions, he believes the path forward often requires looking beyond state lines — not out of rejection of West Virginia, but out of necessity.

“If you want to be the best, someone is always trying to outwork you,” he said. “In order to get to where you want in life, you have to keep going.”

Thomas said much of that mindset was shaped early on, including lessons from his mother.

“I was always taught to surround yourself with people you want to be like — dress like where you want to go, act like who you want to become,” he said.

That perspective, he said, reinforced the importance of the environment — and the idea that growth often requires stepping outside of what is familiar.

His career reflects that mindset. Thomas has worked across multiple genres — spanning rock, pop, R&B, and country — finding success by adapting, experimenting, and pushing beyond expectations. That versatility, he said, is part of what allowed him to grow, even while coming from a place with fewer built-in opportunities.

Still, West Virginia remains a part of his identity.

Elements of the state show up in his music, through the influence of country music and the environment he grew up in. From the mountains to outdoor traditions, those experiences continue to shape how he sees the world.

“I love it here. I love the things I get to see here,” he said.

But when it comes to long-term decisions, Thomas is candid.

“It’s a place to come and enjoy, but not a place to stay as much if you don’t have to,” he said.

For young people in West Virginia, that reality can create a difficult question: stay and build, or leave and grow?

Thomas doesn’t shy away from that tension. In fact, his advice to young people wrestling with that decision is direct.

“Put yourself out there,” he said. “Sometimes we get so stuck wanting to be celebrated in our own home.”

He emphasized the importance of seeking out spaces where growth is possible — even if that means leaving behind familiarity.

At the same time, Thomas believes West Virginia has the potential to become a place where more people choose to stay — but only if there is a shift in mindset.

“We have more competition than we have collaboration,” he said.

“A house divided against itself cannot stand,” he said, referencing Mark 3:25.

For him, the future of the state depends on people working together, supporting one another, and creating opportunities rather than limiting them.

“If people would do things that help each other shine, I think West Virginia would be even more beautiful,” he said.

Events like Woody Fest, which bring diverse artists together, are a step in that direction. Thomas sees those moments as opportunities — not just for entertainment, but for cultural growth and connection.

“It’s needed,” he said. “It celebrates a different culture, and all the other cultures as well.”

For now, Thomas remains connected to West Virginia, even as his career keeps him moving.

“I still have my ties here,” he said. “I’m always in and out.”

His story reflects a broader reality facing many young West Virginians: belonging is not always about staying in one place, but about finding where growth, opportunity, and identity can coexist.

For many young West Virginians, the question isn’t whether they love where they’re from — but whether that love is enough to build a future on.