By Karla McArthur, Education Correspondent
When 21-year-old Hartley Reynolds was in middle school, she learned songs to perform for her mom, Melissa, who posted them on a YouTube channel. Reynolds noticed that Hartley and her younger sister, Molly, 15, had a special way of harmonizing when they sang around the house. “Mostly, I just loved taking videos for myself or to send to my mom,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds encouraged her daughters to make parodies with elaborate gimmicks for TikTok, but Hartley and Molly had a different idea. They decided to record a simple rendition of a favorite Disney song and post it themselves. Their straightforward, no-frills style struck a chord with viewers, and the duo Mollihart was born.
The sisters’ love for music started with their singing in the praise band at Rainbow Presbyterian, their family’s church. Their passion continued to grow with Hartley’s time in the “pit” and on the dance line at Gadsden City High School, while Molly performed in community theater. Their experience is clear in their effortless harmonies and confident presence on camera, which keeps fans coming back.
Mollihart’s unique “Americana” style draws from a blend of earthy 1970s folk and Hartley’s love for bluegrass. Hartley, who says her musical tastes are “all over the place,” gravitates toward timeless music, citing influences ranging from Aretha Franklin to Alison Krauss. This diverse mix of artists has shaped their individual sound—one that defies easy classification.
After performing at several local venues, the duo expanded their reach over the summer, appearing at Clarksville, Tennessee’s Independence Day celebration, where the sister duo opened for Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jax Hollow. Molly described the experience as “amazing.” They also participated in a Writers’ Round at Live Oak, in Nashville, Tennessee, which they both agreed was a memorable experience.
Despite the distance—Hartley is a music major at Belmont University in Nashville, while Molly is a freshman at Gadsden City High School—the sisters have continued creating music together. They recently recorded their first music video for their original song, “I’m Letting Go,” featuring Tammy Rogers of The SteelDrivers.
The duo will return to Clarksville, Tennessee, on Oct. 4 to perform at the Artsville Fest, a creative arts festival featuring live performances and interaction with artisans. On Oct. 10, they’ll appear at Gadsden City High School’s annual Titan Tailgate Party ahead of the Titans’ game against Fort Payne, followed by a holiday season return to Good Morning Alabama for a special Christmas performance.
