A contemporary R&B singer and songwriter, Avery Wilson utilized early support from hitmaking songwriter/producer Sean Garrett, as well as exposure through the singing content The Voice, to land a contract with major-label RCA. Wilson hit Billboard's Hot R&B Songs chart with his first official single, "If I Have To" (2015), and released a couple additional singles for RCA prior to going independent with FYI (2018). Originally from Hamden, Connecticut, Avery Wilson began performing at open-mike events organized by his father and a few years later co-won a New York talent competition for teenagers. "Ringtone," a demo his father circulated to local and regional radio stations, received some airplay and led to an association with songwriter and producer Sean Garrett (Usher, Ciara, Beyoncé). In 2012, Wilson self-released his debut album, On Top of the World, and reached a larger audience later that year when he competed on the third season of talent competition The Voice. His knockout-round elimination was preceded by renditions of "Without You" (David Guetta and Usher), "Titanium" (David Guetta and Sia), and "Yeah 3x" (Chris Brown) that led to a recording contract with major-label RCA. "If I Have To," a dramatic ballad created with Garrett, Rodney Jerkins, and Kirby Lauryen, was released as his first proper single in May 2015 and reached number 18 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart. "Change My Mind," featuring Migos, arrived a few months later. Following a Garrett-produced cover of Leon Russell's "A Song for You" in 2017, Wilson went independent with the five-track EP FYI, released in 2018. ~ Andy Kellman