Hedrick Makes Hometown Proud with Nomination
Pamela Hall
Ashland Beacon
The Appalachian Arts and Entertainment Awards, the “Appy Awards”, were established to honor and recognize the talents of those living in communities along the Appalachian Mountains. The awards celebrate many types of entertainment and art forms from music to the written word, jewelry making to drawing; television and radio personalities to film making, and nearly everything in between.
The Appalachian Region is comprised of 13 states, ranging from Alabama to New York, with our tri-state area being in the heart of the region. It comes as no surprise that Kentucky, and indeed the tri-state area, is well represented among those who are nominated for this year’s Appy Awards.
One such nominee is Ashland native Chad Hedrick, who is nominated for TV Personality for the second consecutive year. He is currently a reporter with WKYT in Lexington.
Hedrick grew up in Ashland and was active in community theatre, among other hobbies, at Ashland Community and Technical College’s Children’s Theatre program, where he earned several leading or prominent roles. He began having an interest in broadcasting while in middle school. Hedrick was a 2013 graduate of Paul Blazer High School and continued his college education at Morehead State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Convergent Media in 2016.
Hedrick began his employment career at WSAZ in Huntington, first as a part-time weekend photographer, then working his way up to reporter and weekend anchor. During his time there, he became known for his highlights and features on his hometown of Ashland, Boyd County, and eastern Kentucky, endearing him to many in the viewing audience.
“It’s very special to be able to cover stories in the area where I grew up,” Hedrick commented. “One of my biggest joys is to focus on stories of my hometown and of eastern Kentucky. I have such an invested interest.”
Hedrick spent six years at WSAZ before moving to WKYT in Lexington in January 2021. He is still able to report on the happenings in eastern Kentucky, which is important to him.
“I get messages all the time from eastern Kentucky viewers,” he admitted with the boyish grin that his audience loves. “I have maintained contacts there, of course, and love to tell their stories. It’s my way of giving back to the community.”
You can be sure that his viewers will be voting for him for the TV Personality award.
“It’s an honor to be nominated,” Chad stated humbly. “I appreciate the support. It certainly means a lot to me.”
Voting for the Appy Awards has begun online. To cast your vote, go to https://appalachianartsandentertainmentawards.com.
The awards show will be held on March 18 at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg. Tickets are available at www.macarts.com.
We wish Chad Hedrick the best of luck, not only for the Appy Awards, but with his broadcasting career. He makes his hometown of Ashland very proud!
