Wester is a new brother and sister country music duo comprised of Pearl Clarkin and Rafe Wester. Born and raised on the Redneck Riviera on Pensacola Beach Florida, they pack a fun, fresh and explosive punch for the young country music audience. Pearl brings the glitter, Rafe brings the grit, and together they bring the party wherever they go. With forty shows performed around the country and forty new songs written in a year, they released their debut single "Redneck RollerCoaster" on August 13, 2021.
Wester's Top Six
What makes Nashville special to you? This is Pearl and I probably love Nashville more than Rafe does. I have a longer history in music than Rafe. Since I started getting asked to come to Nashville and sing when I was 14, I know just about everyone in the music industry. They have watched me grow up and we are all like family. Nashville could not have treated me better.
Most under-rated thing about Nashville? The actual real talent found on Lower Broadway. On most days, a tourist will be listening to major country star’s bass player or drummer who is off road, and never even know it. The rest of the band has to keep up with that standard. The world’s best is found downtown - no question.
How would you say your hometown of Pensacola Beach, Florida differs from Nashville? Pensacola Beach and Nashville couldn’t be more different. Our little island has 2000 residents and 9 months of the year not many people are there. It’s totally laid back and all about sea turtles and dolphins. Nashville is the hottest town in the country right now. It’s crazy and the energy is higher than the Batman building. It’s great to have both influences!
Say you had a completely free day in Nashville—no work allowed. What would you be doing? Rafe would go where the girls are maybe take the boat to the lake. I (Pearl) wouldn’t have a clue. I work all day every day and going out at night to music events is work, as in networking.
What are some of your favorite Nashville restaurants? Rafe likes the steak houses and there are some really great ones in Nashville. I love Tacqueria Del Sol in 12 South- look for me on the patio! When I’m in a music business mood, I love Midtown Café, where I used to meet my favorite entertainment attorney for lunch once a week before he passed away. Now I go and see all the label folks there and it’s great to say hello. The cheeseburgers are so good and if you’ve never had their lemon artichoke soup… well you ain’t Nashville. Most days you might find me at Urban Juicer too - I live on that stuff!
If someone is coming to Nashville for the first time, where do you take them? Rafe and I have a lot of friends that come visit us. We take them to our regular hot spots… Whiskey Jam on Monday, Tin Roof Demonbreun and sometimes Red Door on Tuesday, Nashville Palace on Saturday night for line dancing and always Tootsies or Kid Rock’s to see Scott Collier’s show on any given night. Live Oak and Dawg House on Demonbreun are always fun. I try to go to places that have me sing and make sure guests know they are the hotspots.
One Thing About Nashville
How has Nashville influenced your music? Nashville has made a HUGE impact on my music. When I (Pearl) was 15, I started singing at Hard Rock Cafe Nashville and Bluebird Cafe. Both made an impact on my artistry and songwriting. Then when I was 17, I started singing at Tootsies and I LOVED Honkytonk. I fell absolutely in love and I would have never stopped, but I was trying to get through college at the same time and it was easier to just sing songwriting rounds at night. Rafe has only done songwriter rounds in Nashville. His influences are more Hank Williams Sr. and the music of North Florida and South Alabama. Together we are very southern and rockin’ country.
Five Favorites
What’s your favorite place to go for ice cream in Nashville? You will find me (Pearl) at Jeni’s Ice Cream even when I am dieting. Notice the word die in dieting? I would probably pass away without my Jeni’s. What’s your favorite place for breakfast in Nashville? Rafe likes First Watch and I (Pearl) prefer Frothy Monkey on 12 South. I always look a mess in the morning so, please don’t say hi if you see me before 10AM. Lol! Favorite place to go on date night? I (Pearl) like to go to the rooftop at Virgin Hotel and vibe. I love to look over the city and talk, have a drink and appreciate how fabulous this life is. Rafe likes to take his dates barhopping downtown where it’s loud and rowdy. Favorite museum? Rafe likes the Country Music Hall of Fame and I like the Frist Art museum. What grocery stores do you shop? Whole Foods! Rafe and I are roommates so we make grocery runs together.