Rachael Hester is practically musical royalty — her dad Hoot is one of the busiest and most admired fiddlers in Nashville. But an admirable dad will only get you so far in this town, and while Hoot helps out as a Tennessee Walker, it’s up to Rachael to deliver the goods. But luckily she does just that, deploying a cool alto voice that’s got more nuance and restraint than one has any right to expect from such a youngster. Her debut release
Only Time Will Tell showed off some pleasing stylistic variety within an acoustic country framework, and some sharp songwriting to boot, with her dad and a variety of other co-writers. Since then, hard work on Lower Broadway has only deepened her abilities and confidence. With the help of the Tennessee Walkers, including guitar prodigy Ben Hall, Hester’s become one of the brightest lights of a still-just-under-the-radar Nashville country renaissance.
— Jon Weisberger