Culture
Trey Hedrick presents ‘Passing Through,’ a fresh single and the first off his forthcoming full-length
By: Emily Votaw
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – After a standout set last weekend at the 2025 Ohio Pawpaw Festival, Appalachian songwriter Trey Hedrick keeps the momentum going with the release of his new single, Passing Through, out today. The track marks a significant step for Hedrick, serving as the first single from his forthcoming debut full-length album, Sing Appalachia, due Friday, October 17.
Recorded in May at the Tractor Shed in Nashville with GRAMMY-winning producer and engineer Sean Sullivan (Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, John Prine) it should be noted that Sing Appalachia will also feature a special guest appearance from the one and only Tim O’Brien, celebrated multi-instrumentalist and GRAMMY winner.
Hedrick draws from a wide range of traditions — Appalachian old-time, bluegrass, and even touches of alternative country — channeling them through a lens of lyrical emotional honesty particular to his point of view. Fans of Eastern Kentucky’s Tyler Childers or even Southeast Ohio’s Ben Davis Jr. may hear some similarity (a good thing, to be sure!). Still, they should note Hedrick is carving out a sound distinctly his own, one that expertly blends grit with vulnerability and presents it swaddled in undeniably sharp musicianship.
Earlier this year, WOUB Culture spotlighted Hedrick’s first official release, Go Gently Fall, which leaned heavily on acoustic guitar and fiddle textures. Passing Through continues to explore that rich, warm sonic space while expanding Hedrick’s palette. The new single prominently features piano, adding both warmth and openness to the arrangement.
Lyrically, Passing Through tackles a timeless theme in American songwriting: the allure and fleeting nature of the road. Hedrick’s vocal delivery — matter-of-fact yet tender — buoys the song. At the same time, the instrumentation underscores the interwoven tension of identity and home, affirming that while you can take the boy out of Appalachia, you can’t take Appalachia out of the boy.
With Go Gently Fall, Hedrick captured attention. With Passing Through, he proves he can sustain it — and hints at even more to come.
As Appalachian music reaches wider and more diverse audiences than ever before, Hedrick continues to hone his craft. He is emerging as a true force in the Mid-Ohio Valley music scene and positioning himself to make an impact far beyond it.
Passing Through is available today, Friday, September 19, on major streaming platforms.