Bob Henderson



DJ Bob Henderson Biography:

“…I’m a rocker from waaay back…” I grew up in a State College, PA, graduated from State High in 1983. I had been listening to a wide variety of music all my life, from Top 40’s to rock to jazz to soul to country. I liked to sing, but never found a group to sing with. So I took up auto repair, and fixed cars professionally for 20 years. I kept listening to all kinds of music, but fell into some of the real old-school rockers like Eddie Cochran, and covers of older songs.

“Bob, stop singing, you can’t sing…”

I would sing to the radio while I worked. Having also played some instruments I could tell that I was on key when I sang. Maybe my voice was that annoying….
Then in late 1990 a co-worker asked me if he could borrow my station wagon to move his band equipment to a show some distance away. I said, “Cover my gas and I’ll drive you.” I helped the band then known as Fleshlords get to their gigs and sat in on their practice sessions. I would set up the amps, help tune guitars, and fill in for the singer when he was late once in a while.

The band changed their name to Cycle Of Souls. They went into the studio a few times, but nothing ever came of it. They disbanded in early 1997, and I went back to only repairing cars.

Then, in July 1999, at the urging of radio DJ “Cool Guy” Rob Vanore, I sang karaoke for the first time. He was supposed to sing a song also, but never did. It didn’t matter, I was hooked instantly. The host, Amanda Brittingham of Velvetwind Entertainment, made me feel welcome into a group of people who sang. I knew then that I would make myself known for my singing, good or bad.
I moved from Cape May, NJ to the Phoenix area in December 1999. One of the first things I did once I settled in was look for a karaoke show near where I was living. I tried a few, found a host I liked, and became acquainted with her other regulars, among them Eric and Lisa Godfrey. Later, when they were doing their own shows, I helped move their gear and learned to host a show, filling in for Lisa at times, and then doing shows for them, enjoying almost every minute of it.

As a host, I not only sing, take the other half of duets, and hear all kinds of singers, some extremely good, some not so much, but I play all kinds of music: everything from the 1930’s to the latest releases. I also get people started singing karaoke for the first time, and watch some of them get hooked as I did. I see the looks on their faces, and I know exactly what they’re thinking because I’ve been there. It is rewarding to know I’m giving back to something that has given me so much by bringing others into the fold.

Hey, I’m getting paid to do what I love. What more can you ask for?