BEREA, Ky. — A spring trip to Nashville has turned into an unexpected crossroads for Chad Hembree, a native of Berea, after he earned second place in solo vocal competition at the 1992 Music City Classic—and caught the attention of one of country music’s most recognizable names.
Hembree traveled April 24–27 with the Madison Southern Choir (“Southern Singers”), directed by Karen Girard, to compete in Nashville, Tenn. The competition was held at Two Rivers Baptist Church, and the group stayed at the Maxwell House Hotel. Along with performing, the students visited several Nashville landmarks, including The Hermitage, the Grand Ole Opry, and Opryland USA.
The Southern Singers returned home with strong results: the choir earned fourth place overall, and Hembree’s solo earned second place, bringing a trophy and accolades for the Berea singer.
A standout performance
Hembree’s award-winning selection was “I Am a Friar of Orders Grey” (words by John O’Keefe; music commonly credited to William Reeve), a piece that showcased both vocal strength and character performance—qualities that helped set his solo apart in a field of talented competitors.
A bigger prize than a trophy
But for Hembree, the biggest moment came after the awards.
Following his performance, Hembree was approached by an attendee with an invitation few young singers ever receive: a chance to meet Roy Acuff—and to discuss the possibility of becoming a regular performer at the Acuff Theatre, with potential opportunities connected to the Grand Ole Opry and daily work at Opryland USA.
As it happened, the choir’s schedule already included a visit to Opryland the following day. Hembree was told to meet The Smoky Mountain Boys, Acuff’s longtime band, at their afternoon performance. He did—and later sang harmony with the group in an informal meeting that reportedly went well.
Negotiations and a life change on the table
In the months that followed, discussions continued about what it would take to bring a Berea student into a working professional schedule in Nashville. One plan under consideration: home schooling during the week while performing at Opryland, paired with weekend performances at the Acuff Theatre—with the door still open to future opportunities on the Opry stage.
Ultimately, after many talks with Acuff and two opportunities to sit in at the Opry, Hembree chose to remain in Berea to finish school—aiming toward college studies in music with an interest in Broadway-style performance rather than a full-time future in country music.
Missed opportunity—or wise decision?
For a community like Berea, where hometown achievements travel fast, Hembree’s story has become both a point of pride and a topic of conversation.
Was Nashville a once-in-a-lifetime door that should have been walked through? Or was it the right decision to stay home, finish school, and pursue a broader musical future?
Only time will tell.
Editor’s note: (updated 1/17/26) Berea has always found ways to celebrate its local talent—whether on school stages, in church sanctuaries, or in the community venues that bring people together. Today, one of those gathering places is The Spotlight Playhouse, where Mr. Chad (Chad Hembree) Directs and perform while sharing his years of performing knowledge with his students of Spotlight Acting School.