Culture
Suggested Listening 2025: Trey Hedrick
By: Trey Hedrick
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WOUB Culture’s Suggested Listening series highlights the music that resonated with WOUB Culture contributors and regional artists in 2025. Today we spotlight singer-songwriter Trey Hedrick. Check out WOUB’s past coverage of his work at this link.
Bio
I’m Trey Hedrick, an Appalachian-born singer/songwriter working mostly in Americana, with, at times, heavier bluegrass leanings and country at times. WOUB has mattered to me for a long time – as a reliable link between local musicians and a broader audience, and as a place that treats regional music like it’s worth paying attention to (it is).
I was so blessed by music in 2025 both from a listening and creative perspective. I was able to realize my first album and brought to life the first ten songs I ever wrote. Some artists, albums, and singles that shaped me and helped bring my music to life in different ways are:
If you know me, you know that Tim O’Brien has long been a top artist for me. One of the best singers to ever do it, wonderful songwriter, and has crafted such a recognizable sound on his instruments – a true master of the art. The Crossing and Traveler are my two favorite albums. I’ve Endured, Ireland’s Green Shore, Down in the Willow Garden, and Buffalo Skinners are top songs for me. I had the pleasure of having Tim on a few songs on my record and he was a real gentleman in the studio.
I had the honor of working with John Mailander on my album and we have become great friends through the process. One of the most unique fiddle players and a heartwarming and sweet soul. His compositions are so beautiful and I particularly love Road and Let The World In off his record Let The World In released earlier this year.
3.) Rachel Baiman is another person I collaborated with on my album this year that has really inspired me after the fact. I really enjoyed her music prior to working with her and it’s so cool to revisit a lot of it now from a different perspective. Equine Elvis is such a cool song and Dominoes is a great track too – both off her A Sides/B Sides album from 2024. Rachel has such a cool voice and vocal style and is a great multi-instrumentalist. She’s also a part of this project called Kissing Other People that just recently released an eight song album.
I have been inspired and motivated by Ethan Ballinger a lot lately. He is a multi-instrumentalist from Nashville and plays guitar and also produces for a lot of heavy hitters down there (guitar for Miranda Lambert, Lee Ann Womack, and more). His electric style is so impressive to me – he is able to get so many different tones and perfectly elevate songs and live performances without overdoing it. Absolutely crazy good mandolin player too.
Philippe Bronchtein is another artist that shows up a lot in my playlists. On top of being a wonderful pedal steel, dobro, piano, organ, and guitar player he is also a great singer/songwriter. He has a calmness to his voice and sound – even the songs that feel sad make me happy at the same time, which is rare. I really love Oregon Air off the Oregon Air EP.