May 25, 2017 3 min read

It might be difficult for Donn Henderson to remember a time when he wasn’t playing music. After 35 years of deejaying weddings, parties and weekend evenings at nearly every Mon Valley nightlife hot spot, Henderson is hanging up his headphones for good.

“I just knew it would reach a time when it would turn into work and at some point I would want my weekends for me,” says the Fallowfield Township resident. “That time has arrived.”

Henderson, 56, says that when his son, Ryan, was born in 1993, he decided to venture into public service to try to give back to the community. Since then, he’s served in many capacities as an elected official, community development specialist, member of community and charitable boards and twice as a municipal administrator. He assumed the role of Wilkinsburg Borough manager nearly one year ago and adds, “I just think that will be my calling for the rest of my working days.”

With gigs at well over 700 places and more than 1,000 weddings under his belt, the memories are too numerous to count. Still, Henderson has a few favorites.

“The places I remember the best times at are the fun bars. Seven Springs’ Foggy Goggle, Monte’s and Kaly’s in Charleroi, Smackwater Jacks and PR Chaboot in Donegal, Laurel Mt. Inn and so many others,” he recalls. “The corporate events were also great memories, especially Sheetz, who has had me for more than 30 years.”

His career entertaining crowds started back in college at Bethany College and California University of Pennsylvania, where he studied communications, radio and television.

“I decided to take a year off of school, never made it back,” Henderson says. “Having done some college radio and dances, I decided to buy some DJ equipment of my own and try to do some gigs around the Mon Valley.”

His parents owned a delicatessen that supplied meat to restaurants and bars, so Henderson asked the customers for work. His first gig was at Chez Joey’s in Donora, then Rueben’s in Roscoe. Work at WESA radio in Charleroi followed in the mid-1980s to early ’90s, and his deejay business flourished.

“My approach was a little different than most others at the time and would later became termed ‘performance DJ,’ which meant audience interaction and engagement,” he adds.

What will he miss the most? “By far, the people. Sadly I have a terrible memory for all the names, but by far the fact that I was able to be a part of so many good times for people.”

Those folks will miss him as well, judging by his social media following. Lots of fans have posted well-wishes in his retirement. Now, Henderson will have weekends free to spend with his wife, Lorrie, but he knows he will miss entertaining. “I tear up a bit just thinking about how many people I have played a very small role in their special day or time of their lives.”