Erik Barajas wins 2016 HAIRRY: Local Newsmen With The Best Hair

2016 HAIRRY: "Emmys are nice. They really are. We’re not trashing the Emmys – they do fine work. But the HAIRRYs? They showcase the true talent that lives within these United States of America!"

This is what we missed during the Thanksgiving holiday break. I apologize for just getting to it, but it's been a little "hairy" around here.

KTRK abc13 anchor Erik Barajas, or you might say "a real life Superman," has been honored with a 2016 HAIRRY: Local Newsmen With The Best Hair. That means website getgoodhead.com, the folks who are behind the coiffure award, believe the Houston newsman has the best TV news hair for the entire Lone Star State!

"Decades of trial and error," Barajas wrote on Facebook. "Hundreds of gallons of pomade and gel, that have been applied and shampooed out. Patiently instructing all my hair stylists over the years and finally, finally someone takes notice. This is mine. I earned it."

Here is how the HAIRRY folks describe Barajas:

Erik Barajas is a real life Superman. At least, he sure looks like one. Erik’s hair is so impeccably stylized and slick, there was no question as to whether he should win first prize for Texas.

When you’re reporting for KTRK-TV’s 13 Eyewitness News, or flying through the sky looking for villains to rain justice down upon, your hair has got to be gelled to the tee. Some hair just looks flat and wet when styled with gel, but Erik’s is voluminous and shiny; perhaps he’s found the perfect product – GIVE US YOUR SECRETS!

So just how are the winners chosen for this hair-raising award? Here are the criteria:

The HAIRRYs celebrate fabulous hair and the people who have it. There are no nominations, no voting, and no turning back. As hair experts, we scour multiple images and video from all of our potential winners. Then, we consult with other stylists and creatives in the field to narrow it down to one HAIRRY Winner and up to two HAIRRY Runner-Ups.

Our Criteria For Great Hair

When choosing our recipients we look for the following characteristics:

thick
full volume
well styled
limited/no receding hairline

The Texas runner ups included another Houston newscaster - KHOU 11 traffic anchor Darby Douglas!

With a styled salt-and-pepper ‘do that’s as enticing as they come, our bet is that co-runner up Darby Douglas won’t be a runner-up for long. Look out Erik and Brandon, next year’s HAIRRY might just belong to Darby Douglas and KHOU.

WFAA 8 Dallas reporter Brandon Hamilton shares the runner up honor with Douglas.

Now Barajas wasn't the only winner you've heard of.

Former FOX 26 KRIV movie critic Jake Hamilton, won for the Prairie State:

Jake Hamilton, Emmy-award winning reporter, Good Day Chicago, and we theorize, time traveling Norse god, is the clear HAIRRY winner for Illinois. (And Trump better not tweet this Hamilton asking for an apology for his amazing hair!)

Jake has that dreamy viking look going on: striking light blue eyes, and incredibly fair blonde hair – we’re surprised he wasn’t imported directly from Iceland. Unlike a real viking, Jake’s hair is immaculate; lengthy and slicked back with product, keeping his fringe bouncy and full up top.

Sonia Azad wins award for best hair in Texas

My Dallas - Fort Worth readers already know how great Sonia Azad is doing since she left Houston's abc13 KTRK and joined WFAA in the mighty Metroplex.

Today, she is doing even better.

Why?

She won a HAIRRY award from the site getgoodhead.com. This means the site has determined Azad has the best hair of a female TV journalist in Texas.

Guess she pushes her Lone Star EMMY statuette aside and replaces it with this prestigious TV News award.

"Another line to add to the resumé 😜🤣 I won a HAIRRY," Azad posted on Facebook. "I dedicate this award to all the stylists at Drybar Dallas & my girl ERIN at Lure Salon for keeping me on point."

So how do TV reporters and anchors win?

The HAIRRYs celebrate fabulous hair and the people who have it.

There are no nominations, no voting, and no turning back.

As hair experts, we scour multiple images and video from all of our potential winners. Then we consult with other stylists and creatives in the field to eventually narrow it down to one HAIRRY Winner and one HAIRRY Runner-Up.

Here is the listing for Azad's honor:

Sonia’s hair is beyond spectacular. Like, once we saw a sunset in Hawaii where dolphins jumped and splashed on the horizon while parrots flew in the pink sky, and Azad’s hair is way better than that sunset.

This perfect brunette has full and voluminous hair that wonderfully shapers her face and makes her eyes pop with light! If you’re looking for #hairgoals – look no further than Sonia Azad. Just understand that you won’t be able to have hair as good. Sorry. 😉

Sonia Azad is a reporter (and occasional anchor) for ABC 8 in Texas. In addition to being a HAIRRY-Award, Azad is also an EMMY-Award winner. So, basically, Azad wins a lot.

When it comes to channel 13, there must be something in the water that causes fantastic follicles.

In 2016, KTRK abc13 anchor Erik Barajas, was honored with a HAIRRY: Local Newsmen With The Best Hair award.

Eric Braate honored in 2018 HAIRRY Awards

KPRC 2 meteorologist Eric Braate is runner up for Texas in 2018 HAIRRY Awards: "The HAIRRY-Awards are the most prestigious awards in local news. Yes, Emmys are nice to have, but you haven’t made it until you’ve received a HAIRRY."

Everyone makes fun of me when I post about the TV news HAIRRY Awards, but then it is usually a popular post.

Can you beat the marketing department that gives the awards the url getgoodhead.com?

It also gives us regular folks the chance to vicariously live through those TV stars with luxurious locs.

This year, Houston did not have a winner that made the cut, but we had a runner up which is good enough for me.

And the runner up is...

...KPRC 2 meteorologist Eric Braate!

It turns out I was the lucky one to break the news to Braate of the tremendous honor.

"Thanks for bringing this to my attention, this is too funny," Braate told mikemcguff.com. "After forecasting weather for nearly two decades, I’m FINALLY recognized...by getgoodhead.com! And, to be clear, the award is for having good HAIR, right? All I can say is that I’m honored and, in some strange way, I feel like my life is now complete."

I've been covering Braate's career for a decade on this blog. He joined channel 2 in 2007. Then left for mornings at sister-station WDIV in Detroit.

I would like to think he realized everything is better in Texas, and got back down here in 2012.

According to his bio, Braate landed his first TV job at WXVT Greenville, Mississippi. After earning his degree, he joined WJXT Jacksonville, Florida and then WITI Milwaukee before his first stint in H-Town.

The Texas winner of this year's hair raising award is KXAN Austin investigative reporter Josh Hinkle.

The Bayou City usually represents well.

KTRK abc13 anchor Erik Barajas took top hon-hairs in 2016. KHOU 11's Darby Douglas was the runner up that year. Former FOX 26 KRIV movie critic Jake Hamilton also won that year for Illinois.

In 2017, current WFAA anchor/reporter and former KTRK abc13 reporter Sonia Azad won for Texas.

Last year when I posted Azad's news, social media lit up with comments that "this is a sexist award." Little do people realize the HAIRRY Awards honor both sexes, just not at the same time.

Now excuse me.

All this good hair talk makes me feel like I should go put on a big hat.

Does anyone remember when punk rockers would use Elmer's Glue to style a mohawk? I just thought of this as I was typing. That could be a cool sweeps stunt this May! Any station looking to get that extra .1 can contact me and I will personally deliver my kids' glue container.

Texas TV and radio job moves May 2018

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

Fox4 leads May "sweeps" with five firsts, including wall-to-wall wins in key 25-to-54-year-old news demographic

Kaley O’Kelley, co-anchor of CBS11’s weeknight newscasts since January 2015, announced she’s leaving the station.
- Here is her tearful goodbye

Reporter Saul Garza, a 19-year veteran of FOX4 KDFW, has opted to leave the station.

FOX4 KDFW meteorologist Jennifer Myers is leaving the station to become the weathercaster for North Texas-based ONCOR Electric.

FOX4 KDFW has named Hannah Battah to succeed Jenny Anchondo as anchor.

Jenn Marino Joins Alt 103.7 Dallas.

Mark Cuban, Mount Everest and lots of radio: The journey of Ben and Skin.

- WFAA 8 DFW reveals new #TEGNA graphics package
- VIDEO: Dale Hansen has very emotional moment on WFAA's newscast

HOUSTON

Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Lisa Falkenberg taking helm of Chronicle editorial section.

The Latest Upheavals in Houston's Sports Talk Radio Ratings Tactics.

Steve Campion renews his agreement with KTRK in Houston as an MMJ.
- Napoli Management Group

Former Univision anchor and reporter Mariana Pineda returns to news at KIAH

Director of Marketing at Telemundo Dallas KXTX, Art Sobarzo, joins KTRK abc13 in the same role.

Former KHOU 11 producer, Mike O'Neill, has left Real Investment News to join MetroNational as Marketing and Communications Manager.

KPRC 2 producer Erin Jones leaves the station after 11 years to join the city of Houston Houston Public Works.

- CW 39 KIAH NewsFix's Natalie Hee joins FOX 26 KRIV as a reporter
- KHOU 11's investigative reporter Scott Noll leaves station for new job
- Dave Ward’s year since leaving channel 13
- Afternoon traffic anchor and reporter Rebecca Spera decides not to renew her abc13 KTRK contract
- Two Houston DJs And Two Precinct 1 Constables Spend Three Days Homeless On Streets of Houston
- Don Nelson recalls his Rockets head shave
- Is that Fox 26's Mike Iscovitz or Eddie Van Halen?
- 10pm newscast producer Sindy Espinoza moves up to Executive Producer
- Ken Hoffman #4 Houston Chronicle columnist?
- Crime Stoppers of Houston luncheon
- Telemundo Houston travelling to Russia for World Cup 2018
- Harris County jurors get Dave Ward appearance
- KPRC 2 meteorologist Eric Braate is runner up for Texas in 2018 HAIRRY Awards
- KHOU 11 demolition photos
- KPRC 2 assistant news director Mike Friedrich is making a career pivot
- A 101 KLOL video podcast by the mastermind behind the legendary Houston rock station

SAN ANTONIO

San Antonio Express-News lays off 14 journalists.

KSAT named Adam Caskey as new 10 pm weathercaster to replace veteran Steve Browne who is retiring after 26 years.

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) will honor Bernice Kearney, News Director at KSAT12 News, with the NAHJ Presidential Award at the Hall of Fame Gala presented by Toyota on Saturday, July 21 at the InterContinental, in Miami, FL.

Photos: KENS-TV anchor weds in Caribbean paradise.

AUSTIN

May TV ratings: See how your favorite Austin news station fared.

Former KVUE anchor Olga Campos Benz announces new gig.

Former KVUE GM Patti Smith has been tapped to serve as interim executive director of Austin radio stations 90.5 KUT-FM and 98.9 KUTX-FM.

Lauren Due joins Spectrum News in Austin as MMJ.
- Due is represented by Steve Swienckowski at DCA Talent.

KVUE adds Leslie Adami and Luis de León to news team.

NewsRadio KLBJ making changes to weekday morning lineup

AROUND TEXAS

Telemundo 52 Los Angeles KVEA announces Tania Leal will serve as weekend weather anchor and will report about weather-related events during Telemundo 52’s weekday news. She will make her first on-air appearance on June 6. Leal joins Telemundo 52 from sister-station Telemundo 40 Rio Grande Valley / KTLM, where she worked as the weather anchor for the station’s weekday newscasts. Before this, Leal worked for Televisa Noreste. Leal earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology and has an associate’s degree in Law from the University of Brownsville in Texas. In addition Leal is expected to receive her degree in Meteorology in August of 2019.

KTLM Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen named Jasmina González a video journalist for Noticias Telemundo 40.

Brandon Ortega becomes the new sportscaster at KOB, in Albuquerque. He previously was a weekend sports anchor and reporter at KRGV in Harlingen, Texas.
- Napoli Management Group

KTLM Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen named Carlos Revelo weekend sports anchor for Noticias Telemundo 40.

Native Houstonian Chris Ramirez has joined the San Angelo KSAN Storm Team in January 2018 as the weekend weathercaster.

REMEMBERING

Remembering freelance photographer Don Hirsch.

Former KVET/Austin Personality Sammy Allred Dead At 84.

The changing faces of Houston TV news 2018

If you have the time...you can read through all of the Houston media job changes I tracked through 2018. And there are a lot of them. Ten years ago, I don't think I could have compiled a list anywhere near this size. There are so many changes, that even I can go through it and say, "Oh yeah, I forgot that happened this year!"

JANUARY 2018
- Taisha Walker joins KPRC

- Sofia Ojeda returns to KPRC weekend morning anchor desk

- Anoushah Rasta joins NBC Bay Area

- Janel Forte joins KHOU + new set

- Minerva Pérez Joins NHMC Board of Directors

- Josh Chapin exits KHOU 11

- Brian Collister leaving KXAN Austin

- Noel Ramos promoted to KTMD assistant news director

- Shelley Childers joins KTRK abc13

- Dave Ward named grand marshal of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo parade

- Mayor names Mary Benton interim press secretary

- Wayne Dolcefino joins Quanell X on FOX 26's 'FOX Faceoff'

FEBRUARY 2018
- KENS 5 traffic anchor Chelsey Hernandez joins KTRK abc13 as a consumer reporter

- Houston TV journalists strike out on their own, and open up to mikemcguff.com about making money, including turning on a paywall

- WFMZ 69 News Lehigh Valley, PA reporter Maria Salazar joins FOX 26 as a general assignment reporter

- WCBS New York reporter Jessica Borg joins KHOU 11

- Former KPRC 2 reporter Jennifer Bauer reports from scene of horrible Florida high school shooting

- FOX 26 KRIV reporter Stephen Morgan filled-in as the meteorologist

- Rebecca Spera shows off baby #2

- Owen Conflenti announces baby

MARCH 2018
- Former KLOL Personality Dayna Steele Wins Texas Democratic Primary

- Kevin Quinn resigns from KTRK abc13

- Houston Mayor Sylvester appoints former KPRC 2 reporter Mary Benton press secretary

- Kitirik, 86, still in the hearts of Houston TV viewers

- KHOU GM Susan McEldoon announces retirement

- Levi Ismail joins KHOU 11

- KHOU 11's new station address will be 5718 Westheimer - between Chimney Rock and Bering

APRIL 2018
- David Gonzalez joins KHOU 11

- Natasha Barrett leaves KTRK 13

- Brittany Jeffers joins KPRC 2

- Branch Davidian standoff remembered by Texas TV journalists who were there

- Lisa Vaughn exits FOX 26 KRIV

- New KHOU 11 graphics 2018

- 2018 Texas RTDNA Regional Murrow Award winners

MAY 2018
- CW 39 KIAH NewsFix's Natalie Hee joins FOX 26 KRIV as a reporter

- KHOU 11's investigative reporter Scott Noll leaves station for new job

- Dave Ward’s year since leaving channel 13

-Rebecca Spera decides not to renew her abc13 KTRK contract

- Two Houston DJs And Two Precinct 1 Constables Spend Three Days Homeless On Streets of Houston

- Don Nelson recalls his Rockets head shave

- Is that Fox 26's Mike Iscovitz or Eddie Van Halen?

- 10pm newscast producer Sindy Espinoza moves up to Executive Producer

- Ken Hoffman #4 Houston Chronicle columnist?

- Telemundo Houston travelling to Russia for World Cup 2018

- Harris County jurors get Dave Ward appearance

- KPRC 2 meteorologist Eric Braate is runner up for Texas in 2018 HAIRRY Awards

- KHOU 11 demolition photos

- KPRC 2 assistant news director Mike Friedrich is making a career pivot

- A 101 KLOL video podcast by the mastermind behind the legendary Houston rock station

JUNE 2018
- Kevin Quinn leaves KTRK 13, joins Harris County Precinct 1

- KHOU 11's Melissa Correa opens up about her mental health

- Director of social media production

- Jake Reiner leaving KPRC 2

- Darby Douglas exits KHOU 11

- 2018 Lone Star Awards announced by Houston Press Club

- Colorado Securities Commissioner Gerald Rome

- KPRC's Sara Donchey is expecting

- KLOL would get ratted out by the Houston Chronicle in the 1970s

- Thanks to KPRC 2 for covering my mom's Alzheimer's story

- Jennifer Reyna is not leaving KPRC 2; has a new Facebook page

- KPRC 'Houston Life' changes coming

- Charly Edsitty joins abc13 KTRK

JULY 2018
- Tim Heller to leave abc13 KTRK in January 2019

- Where is Greg Bailey on abc13 KTRK?

- Sally Mamdooh joins KPRC 2

- Bobby Springer new KHOU 11 station manager

- TV talent fashion advice from the pros

- Former Houston journalists start “What’s Left America” podcast

- Aaron Wische named KPRC 2 Assistant News Director

- David Paul's new haircut was a happy accident

AUGUST 2018
- Doug Miller named Rice University director of news and media relations

- Telemundo Houston's Martín Berlanga to leave KTMD

- Butch Alsandor & Jorge Vargas to call TSU football on AT&T SportsNet

- Katherine Marchand joins abc13 KTRK

- 'Dave Ward's Houston' to launch on abc13 KTRK

- KPRC 2's new dog, Tex, joins Houston Life

- Sara Donchey has her baby

- Lina De Florias joins FOX 26

- Good news for Greg Bailey!

- abc13 KTRK to debut 3pm newscast

- KHOU 11 reveals what happened during Harvey evacuation

- Sherry Williams is leaving KHOU 11

- KHOU 11's Sherry Williams joins HISD


SEPTEMBER 2018
- Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2018 inductees

- Frank Billingsley diagnosed with prostate cancer

- Former KIAH GM Roger Bare to head Bayou City Art Festivals

- NewsFix and morning dose cancelled by Tribune

- Former Houston TV staffers land gigs in Florida

- Sara Donchey leaves KPRC 2

- NewsFix signs off, plus remembering the old 39 News

- KTRK photographer Jaime Zamora calls it a career after 38 years

- Former KHOU photographer lives "Life Below Zero"

- Tom Zizka moving to weekends

- KTXH bringing back that 20 Vision feeling

- 'Wake Up! With SallyMac & Lina' debuts Monday on FOX 26 KRIV

- Telemundo Houston and Entercom radio team up

- In 'Santa Fe Strong,' KHOU follows the high school football team after shooting tragedy

- KHOU Avenida Studio in downtown Houston debuts


OCTOBER 2018
- Leigh Frillici signs off from KPRC 2

- Greg Bailey returns to KTRK...again

- Erica Simon is pregnant

- Michelle Margaux will serve as in-game reporter for Houston Rockets games

- Foti Kallergis leaves abc13 KTRK for PR role

- Darby Douglas gets a new grandson

- Houston Chronicle editor Nancy Barnes named NPR's SVP of News and Editorial Director

- CW 39's Maggie Flecknoe is a survivor

- Alejandro Mendoza joins Telemundo Houston KTMD

- KHOU 11's Ron Trevino is married!

- Sharron Melton returns to Houston TV on CW 39 KIAH

- Adam Clanton and Theresa from The Buzz have a baby

- TJ Parker joins abc13 KTRK

NOVEMBER 2018
- Jerry Vazquez on the rise of Telemundo Houston

- Stefania Okolie joins abc13 KTRK

- Lindsey Day joins CW 39 KIAH Morning Dose

- Stephanie Simmons joins KHOU 11

- Texas Radio Hall of Fame 2018 highlight videos

- Why Ilona Carson is no longer on the 10pm news

- Don Kobos honored in Lone Star EMMY Chapter Silver Circle

- Samica Knight returns to abc13 KTRK

- Dave Ward announces new book 'Good Evening, Friends'

- iHeartMedia Houston and the Houston Astros extend partnership

- Telemundo Houston takes home 15 Lone Star EMMYS

- InnovationMap launches from Gow Media

- Natasha Barrett joins city of Baytown

- Christine Noël joins KPRC 2

- WFAA's Carolyn Mungo News Director of the Year 2018

- Univision 45 November 2018 sweeps victories

- Telemundo Houston releases November 2018 sweeps wins

- Lainie Fritz gets her ring

- Lance Roberts rejoins 700 KSEV

- VIDEO: KHOU 11 returns to air during Hurricane Harvey

- Craig Hlavaty leaves Houston Chronicle for HMNS


DECEMBER 2018
- Carlos Robles promoted to Telemundo Houston chief meteorologist

- Frank Billingsley announces he is cancer free

- Chelsey Hernandez appears in new movie

- Hannah Trippett joins CW39 KIAH's 'Morning Dose'

- KPRC 2 celebrates 70th anniversary as Houston's first station

- Rachel McNeill officially signs off KPRC 2

- The Brooks Garner baby is here

- Steve Simon returns to CW39 KIAH as news director

- Trey Serna returns to CW39 as senior producer and talent

- Rachel Briers joins abc13 KTRK

Eric Braate leaves KPRC

Eric Braate, who has served as a KPRC 2 meteorologist and weather department executive producer on and off since 2007, is leaving the station for New York.

"My great friend and colleague Eric Braate leaves for WNBC tomorrow after a decade as my producer," KPRC Chief Meteorologist Frank Billingsley posted on Facebook.  "I love you Eric and wish all the best for you as you start a new chapter!"

At the NBC owned and operated WNBC 4 New York, Braate will serve as a Meteorologist and Weather Executive Producer.

Braate first joined channel 2 Houston in December 2006 as a weekend meteorologist.  In 2008, Braate left for KPRC sister-station WDIV Detroit as a weekday morning meteorologist.  Let's weigh the differences between Houston and Detroit.  Guess who won out?  Yes, Braate returned to KPRC Houston in 2011 where he has been ever since.

Prior to his "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could" moment in 2007, Braate worked as a meteorologist for:

- WITI Milwaukee, Wis.

- WJXT Jacksonville, Fl.

- WXVT Greenville, Miss.

Besides winning a 2018 HAIRRY Award, Braate has a unique history in that he started out in a totally different career before having a zonal flow towards TV meteorology.  Actually his colleague,  Justin Stapleton, also jumped from another career to the weather world too. 

Turns out Braate first got a chemical engineering degree from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor working for companies like General Electric.  After realizing his meteorology passion, Braate attended Mississippi State University, earning a master's degree in geoscience.

Outside of television news weather, Braate is a runner and triathlete, completing more than 30 marathons and three IRONMAN triathlons. 

In 2014, Braate has a serious injury when he was hit by a van while training for a triathlon. 

"(I) broke my neck in two places," Braate said in his bio. "In the emergency room, I vowed to battle back and cross the finish line in 2015. I kept that promise. Crossing the finish line was a moment I’ll never forget!"

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KPRC2 Houston (@kprc2)

*Updated with Braate's official duties at WNBC 4 NBC New York.