Kennie Bass Biography
Kennie Bass is an American Emmy Award-winning Anchor and Reporter working for WCHS-TV in Charleston, West Virginia as a Lead Investigative Reporter. He joined the station in July 1997 after working for WSAZ-TV as a Sports Anchor, Reporter, and Director.
Kennie Bass Education
Bass went to Andrew Jackson Junior High and Nitro High, class of 1981. Even before college, Bass was already venturing out as a DJ for high school radio stations in Charleston namely the WXIT-AM and WJYP-FM. He enrolled in the West Virginia University in the fall of 1981 to undergo a program in Broadcast Journalism. He was moreover the RVU Student Newspaper Reporter. After completing only one semester at Morgantown, he obtained a transfer to Marshall University in the year 1982.
At Marshall University, he studied for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism, which he completed in 1985. During his college years, he was a news reporter, sports director, and Columnist for the Marshall Student Newspaper ‘The Parthenon’, an evening news anchor on WGNT AM/WAMX FM in Huntington, West Virginia, a Sports Talk Show Host, and a news anchor/reporter as well as a sports anchor/reporter for the Marshall student-run radio station WMUL FM in Huntington, West Virginia. Additionally, he took play-by-play for MU football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball along with color analysis.
Kennie Bass Career
Bass works for Eyewitness News at WCHS-TV where he is the Lead Investigative Reporter. Besides working as an investigative journalist, he also participates in high school football providing him to host the farming show, “Friday Night Football Extra. ” In July 1997, he became a news anchor and a reporter for the Eyewitness News at WCHS-TV. He mostly reports on political issues, the military, eradication/voting, and more often investigations.
Bass’s television career began in 1984 as an anchor and reporter of the Marshall School of Journalism student news, “MU Report,” the program aired on WV Public Television. His talent did not go unnoticed as in September 1985, he was given a paid practicing station at WSAZ TV. Finally, by the end of July 1986, he became a full-time Charleston nightside reporter for the station. In January 1988, he advanced to become a weekend sports anchor and reporter and a weekday backup anchor. He served in this capacity for two years before transitioning to being the sports director in January 1990.
In 2014, Bass introduced another awareness-creating series, which is known as ‘Waste Watch’ that focused on the spendthrift activities of the government. His investigations led to organizational changes in the West Virginia State Supreme Court, West Virginia’s RISE housing assistance program, and prescription prices for residents of the Clarksburg State Veterans Affairs nursing home. In particular, he helped find the bones of a 35-year-old murder victim Leslie Marty after her killer contacted him.
Additionally, Bass belongs to The West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame and the Nitro High School Hall of Achievement. He has also won the WV Associated Press Lifetime Achievement Award, regional Emmys, Eddies, WV Broadcasters Association, and WV-VA Associated Press. He has been honored by many organizations such as the National and WV Future Business Leaders of America, US Army Recruiting Command, US Postal Service, WV Future Farmers of America, WV Statewide Independent Living Council, and the WV Association for Justice.
His interests are acting, movies, golf, and books. Bass had the experience of working with Charleston Light Opera Guild, Children’s Theatre of Charleston, Kanawha Players, Alban Arts Center, Huntington Outdoor Theatre, ARTS Resources for the Tri-State, Alchemy Theatre, Tip Jar Theatre, and Apples of Gold.
Kennie Bass Age
Bass likes to keep his personal life private and hence has not yet disclosed the year, date, and month he was born. It is therefore not known when he celebrates his birthday. However, he might be in his 50s.
Kennie Bass Height
Bass stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 8 inches tall.
Kennie Bass Family
Bass has managed to keep his personal life away from the limelight hence he has not disclosed any information about his parents. However, he has 4 siblings namely Cathy Bass, Hurley, Phillip Bass, and Deb Noblia.
Kennie Bass Wife|Children
Bass is married to his wife Claire Butler. The two celebrated their anniversary on July 1, 2024. He has a daughter by the name of Casey who is a nurse.
Kennie Bass’s Net Worth
Bass has an estimated net worth ranging between $1 Million – $5 Million which he has earned through being an Anchor and Reporter.
Kennie Bass Salary
Bass earns an annual salary ranging between $40,000 – $ 110,500 while working at WCHS-TV as a Lead Investigative Reporter.
Kennie Bass WCHS-TV
Bass works at WCHS-TV where he works alongside other famous WCHS-TV anchors, reporters, meteorologists, and sports anchors including;
- Dave Benton
- Gina Marini
- Jenifer McAndrews
- Anthony Conn
- Doug Harlow
- Brandon Stover
- Brandon Lawson
- Dante Ricci
- Daniel Burbank
- Bob Aaron
- Leslie Rubin
- Gil McClanahan
- Anna Saunders
- Hannah Cline
- Paige Tylor
- Mark Martin
- Jason Hurst
- Terry Burhans