Benny Hester was born in Waco, Texas, and began studying classical music at age four.
He continued his studies through high school with European teachers and musical innovators John and Martha Reuther.
Hester was among the first to master John Reuther's futuristic chromatic “checkerboard” designed keyboard and one of a handful of musicians to become expert on the instrument, playing public performances to demonstrate its attributes over the standard keyboard.

Hester auditioned and was chosen to sing with The Texas Boys Choir.

He became the youngest member of the Texas swing band, Sam Weaver and The Texas Playboys, and appeared on the band's weekly television show playing alongside guest music legends including Johnny Gimble and Ernest Tubb.


While attending Richfield High School, Hester was one of the founding members of the popular Texas pop rock band, The Morticians.
He wrote songs for the group and included them in sets for the band's sizable revved up audiences.
Headed now by guitarist and original founding member, Joe Hall, The Morticians continue to play concerts regularly.

Hester was hired to play in the live stage band and orchestra for the long running musical, Texas, and continued with the show for two years.
While performing in Texas, he founded the singing duo, Hester & Hilton, with partner Steve Hilton.
Hester & Hilton performed their own songs along with stylized takes on songs by their favorite artists.
While playing El Paso, Hester was asked to write two songs for a recording session by the group, The Sojourners.
It turned out to be his first professional recording session as a songwriter.
The two songs were produced and engineered by Norman Petty and recorded at Norman Petty Studios in Clovis, New Mexico, where Hester had the opportunity to work with the legendary Petty and record in his hit studio.
Hester and his older brother, a music fan with a ten-year head start on him, grew up singing and listening to Buddy Holly songs.
Norman Petty produced and recorded those songs.
Hester coincidentally attended Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, home to Petty and birthplace of Holly.
Benny Hester was born in Waco, Texas, and began studying classical music at age four. He continued his studies through high school with European teachers and musical innovators John and Martha Reuther. Hester was among the first to master John Reuther's futuristic chromatic “checkerboard” designed keyboard and one of a handful of musicians to become expert on the instrument, playing public performances to demonstrate its attributes over the standard keyboard.
Hester auditioned and was chosen to sing with The Texas Boys Choir.
He became the youngest member of the Texas swing band, Sam Weaver and The Texas Playboys, and appeared on the band's weekly television show playing alongside guest music legends including Johnny Gimble and Ernest Tubb.

While attending Richfield High School, Hester was one of the founding members of the popular Texas pop rock band, The Morticians. He wrote songs for the group and included them in sets for the band's sizable revved up audiences. Headed now by guitarist and original founding member, Joe Hall, The Morticians continue to play concerts regularly.
Hester was hired to play in the live stage band and orchestra for the long running musical, Texas, and continued with the show for two years. While performing in Texas, he founded the singing duo, Hester & Hilton, with partner Steve Hilton. Hester & Hilton performed their own songs along with stylized takes on songs by their favorite artists. While playing El Paso, Hester was asked to write two songs for a recording session by the group, The Sojourners. It turned out to be his first professional recording session as a songwriter. The two songs were produced and engineered by Norman Petty and recorded at Norman Petty Studios in Clovis, New Mexico, where Hester had the opportunity to work with the legendary Petty and record in his hit studio. Hester and his older brother, a music fan with a ten-year head start on him, grew up singing and listening to Buddy Holly songs. Norman Petty produced and recorded those songs. Hester coincidentally attended Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, home to Petty and birthplace of Holly.
Benny Hester