Exclusive Interview with
Hillary Reese

Why country music ?
~ I always like to say that I didn’t choose country music, it chose me. Country music was all around me growing up and I think that is why I naturally gravitated towards it. It was never a question as to what type of music I wanted to sing, it was always just country.

If everything would be possible (waking the dead included), which two people should sing the ultimate country duet?
~ Johnny Cash and Chris Stapelton might be a cool mix. They both are legendary and I think it would definitely be a duet that no one would forget.

What do you like and/or dislike about standing on stage?
~ My favorite part would be connecting with the fans and just getting to be in the moment. My least favorite part of it all is having to wait for showtime. I am always super eager to get on stage so waiting is difficult.

Who would you like to write a song for you?
~ Honestly, I am not the biggest fan of having other people write songs for me because it is hard for me to connect with the songs sometimes. However, I do make a few exceptions when I connect with the song immediately and there is no way I can pass it up. Some of my personal favorite writers are Willie Nelson and Hillary Lindsey, I think they both write from their heart and are absolute gems in the songwriting community.

Can you tell us what made you decide to join MusicBeatsCancer?
~ Music Beats Cancer is an amazing organization that I was honored to be a part of. Helping people is something I’ve always tried to do and Music Beats Cancer was an amazing organization to partner with.

What is the one thing that readers/fans would be surprised to know about you?
~ I think fans would be surprised at how big of a nerd I am. I’m still in school so studying and classwork is a big part of my life right now. I think people sometimes get the perception that I do not have to do those types of things because I am a singer, but I still have teenage obligations lol!

What’s the best advice another musician ever gave you?
~ Trust your gut. I think people sometimes get their feelings and gut mixed up, and that is easy to do, but your gut is your intuition. If you don’t trust your gut and you ignore the red flags, it is usually not good, at least in my past experiences.

What is the question interviewers never seem to ask you and…you wish they would?
~ Interviewers usually don’t ask how the business side of things are going, and I wish they would because it is a big part of the entertainment industry, but it is not usually talked about.

Anyways, right now everything is going really well on the business end, but it hasn’t always been that way, it just goes to show that an artist may have more going on behind the scenes than making music and family, but those are the most important things at the end of the day.

Could you describe your ultimate recording studio for us?
~ The best studios are usually the homiest ones. I find that it is easier to create when you have a sense of relaxation, comfort, and familiarity.

Johnny or June?
~ This is a tough one! My great grandmother used to always say we were long distance relatives of June Carter, but who knows if that is true haha! My all time favorite song by them is “Jackson”. I love them both so much but since there is a small chance I might be related to June, I am gonna go with her!

Are you still nervous before going on stage and if so, do you use any “rituals” to calm you nerves?
~ I do get nervous before going on stage, but I think nerves keep you humble. I try to not really fight off the nerves, instead I try and use it as fuel and adrenaline for the show.

If you could start a tour outside the USA, which continent would you prefer and why?
~ I have always thought that Australia would be an amazing place to tour. It seems so beautiful there, and I have heard that there are some die hard country fans there!

What was the most memorable day in your musical career and can you tell us why?
~ My most memorable day in music was probably the first time I went to Nashville. I remember being super excited to see everything and visit the Opry, and that was the first time I was introduced to the business side of Music.