RIP Hoot Hester

Steve Green · Post by **Steve Green** » 30 Aug 2016 9:09 am

I've seen it reported on a couple of different sources that master fiddler Hoot Hester has passed away.

Robert Rogers · Post by **Robert Rogers** » 30 Aug 2016 10:14 am

This really breaks my heart.Hoot was such a
Talented musician and he had the personality to
match. RIP my dear friend

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 30 Aug 2016 11:44 am

Just saw it on FB. This is really sad news. My condolences to the family. RIP, Hoot.

Walter Stettner
Vienna, Austria

Sam Marshall · Post by **Sam Marshall** » 30 Aug 2016 11:59 am

Sad news. I remember that he was a mainstay in the band for TNN's "Nashville Now" TV show.

Sam

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 30 Aug 2016 12:42 pm

http://www.savingcountrymusic.com/grand ... sses-away/

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 30 Aug 2016 3:17 pm

Gosh, I first met Hoot when he was with Tillis in 1977. What a great musician he was, I saw him last October with Ike Johnson's band at the Nashville Palace and he was awesome!

Another legend gone. I'm getting weary of this... and it isn't gonna get any better.

Jeff Garden · Post by **Jeff Garden** » 30 Aug 2016 3:49 pm

Sad news just keeps coming:( I watched "Nashville Now" as often as I could just to see the house band. Hoot, Larry Sasser, Fred Newell and the gang all seemed to have a great time playing together and what a talented group of musicians. Thanks for years of music, Hoot, and may you rest in peace.

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 30 Aug 2016 4:46 pm

May he rest in peace...

Billy Easton

Tim Sergent · Post by **Tim Sergent** » 30 Aug 2016 5:26 pm

Breaks my heart too. From the very first time I was on Nashville Now, he always called me by name. I always told him that I couldn't believe he remembered my name after so many thousands of band memebers go on that show. He said, "I never forget a friend". Rest in peace, Hoot. You left us way too soon.

And by the way....I'll never forget a friend either.

Tommy Shown · Post by **Tommy Shown** » 30 Aug 2016 9:42 pm

I too remember watching him on Nashville Now. I loved his style of playing, his intonation was spot on, it was clean and smooth. I had him in the same class of Johnny Gimble. Both played a sweet and clean sounding fiddle. I too am really heartbroken. but I realize he has gone to a better place. He is now playing fiddle in God's band. Along with Johnny and Bob Wills. There was man I worked with locally who played the same style as Hoot, and Johnny. It is sad that another good one is gone.

Gary Cooper · Post by **Gary Cooper** » 31 Aug 2016 1:04 am

The loss of Hoot Hester is an unrecoverable loss for country music. He was the Grand Ole Opry. A talent unequaled. Condolences to Hoot's family. No one can fill his shoes.

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 31 Aug 2016 2:25 am

Seeing this news sure was a shock to me. I remember the first time I met Hoot was at the ISGC in St. Louis 1981. He played in the Sound Factory Band with Emmons and Baugh. Hoot was very nice and humble and a fantastic fiddle player.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 31 Aug 2016 2:32 am

So very sad, I didn't know Hoot personally, spoke just a few times with small talk, he made me feel like I was one of his closest friends and he didn't even know my name.

RIP Hoot,peace and prayers to your family and friends.

Joe Rogers · Post by **Joe Rogers** » 31 Aug 2016 6:57 am

It can become cliche to throw out the generic statement, "They don't come any better than him", but in Hoot's case it was true. I don't think I ever met a professional musician who was more genuine than Hoot.....

My heartfelt condolences to his family.

Joe Rogers

Bob Ricker · Post by **Bob Ricker** » 31 Aug 2016 11:55 am

You don't find friends like Hoot often.
One thing I always noticed doing sessions with Hoot was that the client always received more than just good fiddle playing, they gained a friend.

I remember when I first met Hoot, he showed me how he could whistle in multiple harmony.

I will miss his stories and friendship.

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 1 Sep 2016 6:17 am

So sorry to hear about Hoot. I met him in the late 80's at St. Louis Steel Convention and since we were both fiddle players, we struck up quite a friendship.
Later that year, we were passing thru Nashville and gave him a call and he got us into the "Nashville Now Show" with a backstage pass. We always stayed in touch about twice a year. Hoot was a super down to earth generous type guy and never met a stranger plus being one of the finest fiddle players in the business. My thought to his friends and family for this great loss.

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 1 Sep 2016 7:00 pm

Hoot and I worked together so often; he was always awesome. I called him "Gol'dang Hoot-dum." He'd always through out that hand and say, "What'll ya allow?" Always a laugh, a smile, an incredible talent, great guy... man, this is getting harder and harder.

I loved to hear him whistle. I never knew anyone else that could do what he could; he would whistle two parts, and hum the third, all at the same time. Hearing him do counterpoint that way was always mind boggling.

Dang it, Hoot. We had a deal. You were supposed to play "Liberty" at MY funeral.. and now you took another gig.

Rest well, my friend. You are greatly loved and missed.

Gary Hoetker · Post by **Gary Hoetker** » 3 Sep 2016 9:18 am

So sorry to hear this. I could tell by watching Nashville Now that he was as good a guy as we was a musician. He was always smilin'. RIP !! You are missed.

Tiny Olson · Post by **Tiny Olson** » 10 Sep 2016 5:17 am

Man, what a drag. I'm so saddened to hear of Hoot's passing. What an awesome player and person... so friendly!! He played with us on Gene's hit, "Memories to Burn" and on several other albums we did with Mr. Watson. Working with Hoot was indeed, a hoot.

My deepest sympathies and prayers go out for Hoot, his family and friends.

Sincerely,
Chris "Tiny" Olson

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 11 Sep 2016 11:07 pm

My condolences to the Hester family.

I was privileged to meet Hoot and hear him with the TIME JUMPERS.
Truly a master fiddler by any measure, and a fun guy to meet.
RIP.

Jerry Fessenden · Post by **Jerry Fessenden** » 30 Oct 2016 6:48 pm

Here's a picture from the Opry several yrs ago.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 31 Oct 2016 9:11 am

Hoot was a fine gentleman. RIP Mr. Hester.

Ken Pippus · Post by **Ken Pippus** » 31 Oct 2016 9:50 am

I had the privilege of attending the Grand Ole Opry shortly after Hoot's demise, when the Time Jumpers, along with the Opry players, did a tribute to Mr. Hester. This included all the big guys, represented by Tommy White and Paul Franklin on steel, and with Vince Gill "officiating." I have rarely been as moved by a musical event, and "Go Climb that High Mountain" had me, and a large piece of the audience in tears.

A fitting tribute to a great player.