From the heart of Mississippi, 16-year-old songstress Hillary Reese is a triple threat, singer/songwriter/instrumentalist, with a sound all her own that connects across generations of fans and genres.
Hillary’s vocals and lyrics offer a balance between the charm of a southern belle and the ferocity of a steel magnolia. At only 8-years-old, she emerged on the music scene through a series of viral Facebook videos, which fast-tracked to millions of views and a loyal following of over 300,000 fans. Hillary quickly found herself traveling frequently to Nashville where she has collaborated with industry heavyweights including Dolly Parton’s producer, Kent Wells, and former Little Texas Member, Jeff Huskins. Leading up to Valentine’s Day, Hillary is releasing “Beautiful Mistake” on Feb. 10. At only 16-years-old, the rawness and sincerity in Hillary’s voice capture the maturity of the introspective song. Written by Jimmy Ritchey (George Strait’s “I Gotta Get to You” and “Twang,” Jake Owen’s “The One That Got Away” and “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You”) and produced by Huskins, “Beautiful Mistake” is a bittersweet ballad that reflects on a lost love. A departure from Hillary’s latest toe-tapping single, “All the Good Ones are Crazy,” “Beautiful Mistake” showcases the versatility of her sound. “All the Good Ones are Crazy” was also produced by Huskins and released in August of 2022 with a music video that has already amassed over 227,000 views. A video for “Beautiful Mistake” will be released in February.
Tell our readers about your new single, “Beautiful Mistake.
This new song is all about reflecting on a past relationship, knowing that even though it would end you would still do it all again to know the person.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
I would say my music is traditional country with a modern twist. I grew up listening to anything and everything, but my heart always lied with traditional country.
Who are your main musical influences?
The members of the Honky Tonk Angels were the women who really paved the way for me and everyone in country music. Their music has always been my favorite.
When you create music, what is your personal purpose or goal?
My goal in whatever I do musically is to always be honest. Something might not always be my story, but it’s someone’s, and I think it deserves to be shared.
What sets your music apart? What is unique, or at least uncommon?
I would say my twang. I’ve been told by several people that the country accent is what gets them with my music. Some have accused me of my accent being fake, but I guess that’s just what you get being from Mississippi! Haha!
What are your ambitions as a songwriter and musician from here?
I’m continuing to dive deeper into myself so I can become the best writer and musician. The thing that draws me to music is how it allows you to discover yourself and really create something from scratch that is truly you, so I hope to do that more.
If you were to write an autobiography, what would the title be?
I think my autobiography would be titled “Figuring it Out” because that perfectly describes my life. I’m always growing and learning and hope to do that my entire life.
You are a new addition to a crayon box. What color would you be and why?
Probably red. The color red can be really bold but also really beautiful depending on how you use it, and I think I can be really bold and really sweet depending on how you treat me.
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
I just finished Season 3 of “Love is Blind.” I’m obsessed with anything reality TV. It definitely is my guilty pleasure!
Do you have any lucky items, objects, or traditions?
Praying is my way of calming my nerves before a show or anything I’m anxious about. Talking to God before something is the way I can relax myself and kind of my tradition before anything.
If you were talking to a younger version of you, what advice would you give yourself?
I would definitely say, “don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself.” Being a young girl in the music industry can be challenging at times, so making sure your opinion is heard and valued really helps.