A lifetime in the making, Hilary Williams’ debut LP, “My Lucky Scars,” is a musical statement you won’t soon forget. That album title refers to the real-life marks on Hilary’s skin from a devastating car accident in 2006 that nearly claimed her life. The journey to overcome that near-death experience plays out in the album opening track, “Angel Take My Hand” as well as “Sign of Life.”
The balance of the album addresses Hilary’s status as a modern woman playing the complicated game of love. That search for a suitable mate only turns up clueless clowns on “The Day After the Circus” and straight-up fools on searingly honest tracks such as “Shipwreck” and “Better Than Here.” Music icon and family friend Ricky Skaggs adds his mandolin to the hopeful track “Beautiful Things.”
Hilary’s voice shines brightest when she’s vulnerable, though. You’ll hear the toll lost love has taken on her heart on “Let Somebody Save Me”
co-written with John Paul White (Civil Wars), as well as her spot-on cover of Joni Mitchell’s “River.”
A scan of the writer credits on “My Lucky Scars” reads like a Who’s Who of Nashville’s modern tunesmiths. In addition to Hilary herself, that list includes current hitmakers Ross Copperman, Heather Morgan, Natalie Hemby, Rebecca Lynn Howard and Bobby Tomberlin. Hilary also teamed up with legendary rocker John Eddie for “Better Than Here.”
By the time Hilary closes out “My Lucky Scars” with the lighthearted ode to love, “Crazy,” you feel as though you’ve gotten to know to know this woman’s story very well. It’s the tale of a woman whose life is still evolving. Lucky for us, Hilary is letting us come along for the journey.
ALBUM LIST
1. Angel, Take My Hand (Ross Copperman/Heather Morgan/Hilary Williams)
2. Beautiful Things (Christie Bauerlee/Bill DiLuigi/Hilary Williams)
3. Free (Shayne Fair/Bobby Tomberlin/Hilary Williams)
4. Bedside Manner (Natalie Hemby/Hilary Williams)
5. Better Than Here (John Eddie/Hilary Williams)
6. The Day After The Circus (Natalie Hemby/Shane McAnally/Josh Osbourne)
7. Let Somebody Save Me (Kris Bergsnes/John Paul White/Hilary Williams)
8. My Lucky Scars (John Wood)
9. Sign Of Life (Blu Sanders/Hilary Williams)
10. River (Joni Mitchell)
11. Shipwreck (Rebecca Lynn Howard/Hilary Williams)
12. Crazy (Natalie Hemby/Lincoln Parish)
CREDITS:
Josh St. Moblo – Engineering in Nashville at The Bakery
Lincoln Parish – Additional production, mixing, auxiliary keys, guitar,
Ryan Speakman – Percussion engineer
Mixed by Tommy Wiggins at Tommy’s Tracks
Recorded at Stanley Recordings Echo Park, CA
The Bakery Nashville, TN and
Talkbox Rodeo Nashville, TN
Amy Wood – Drums
Burleigh Drummond – Drums
Patrick Taylor – Upright Bass
Ray Suen – Violins
Molly Jenson – Harmony Vocals
Rachel Fannan – Harmony Vocals
Liz Sharpe – Harmony Vocals
Emoni Wilkins – Harmony Vocals
Devonne Fowlkes – Harmony Vocals
Teaira Dunn – Harmony Vocals
John Would – Guitars, Piano, Slide Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Lap Steel, engineering, production
SPECIAL THANKS:
First and foremost, I would like to thank God for saving my life and giving me a second chance in this world. Thank you to Dr. Martin Croce at the Med in Memphis and Dr. Phillip Kregor from Vanderbilt Medical – without you and your staff, I literally would not be here today.
I would also like to thank all my co-writers, BMI and everyone who contributed to my album, especially my co-producers John Would and Lincoln Parish. Your vision and dedication to this album made the journey that much more powerful and rewarding.
Lastly my mom, my sister Holly, my Dad and the rest of my family for their unwavered support.
I hope y’all enjoy this album as much as I enjoyed recording it.