Singer/songwriter/musician/recording artist
Member Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame
About Debbie
Debbie's Story
Debbie's Story
Debbie's Story
Debbie began playing guitar at the tender age of 8, 1st sneaking to play an older sibling's and later received her own guitar, a Cortez 12 string. She honed her skills on it alone for the next 8 years.
Hall of Fame
Debbie's Story
Debbie's Story
Deborah (Debbie) Kay Henning
Born in St. Charles, Missouri just outside. St. Louis, a hot spot for the blues.
Resided in Oklahoma since 1980.
Singer/songwriter/guitarist/community video producer/recording engineer
Debbie Henning began to express her love for music at a very young age. When the music stopped in the 1861 church where she was
Deborah (Debbie) Kay Henning
Born in St. Charles, Missouri just outside. St. Louis, a hot spot for the blues.
Resided in Oklahoma since 1980.
Singer/songwriter/guitarist/community video producer/recording engineer
Debbie Henning began to express her love for music at a very young age. When the music stopped in the 1861 church where she was raised, the baby in diapers cried out, "MORE MUSIK, MORE MUSIK" It's been that way ever since.
By age 13 she was playing organ for services on Sunday. And by 15 was playing guitar mass and teaching other teens to play as well.
She is self taught from age 8, at 1st sneaking to play an older siblings guitar and receiving her 1st 12 string at 14 as a reward for bringing up her grades.
By age 16 she was winning talent contests in school and played a wedding solo.
At 17 she began playing solo gigs at Shakeys pizza.
At 18 she survived a bad car wreck and a worse marriage.Walking away from both, Debbie found herself on Bourbon Street in New Orleans by age 20. After traveling 38 states, she eventually settled in Chickasha, Ok and later, Oklahoma City.
Prompted by a local radio station, she wrote, recorded and received airplay of her 1st original in the span of a week. Other stations picked it up and "On the Radio" continues to receive international airplay along with 47 other tunes, 23 of which are originals, also widely available on popular download sites. Her shades of Blue CD was produced by Mark Lyon, W.C. Handy award nominee. It features Byron Berline on mandolin and fiddle, 3 time world fiddle champ. Jim Warren, Grammy award winner, provides his artwork.
Although self taught, Debbie will tell you, "I am a reflection of every musician I have ever sat down to play with." Along with that she often says, "there are 2 kinds of people in the world. Those that like the blues, and those that don't KNOW they like the blues yet!"
She has made Oklahoma Blues known around the world for 14 years and running doing all live 1 hr radio shows for international audiences in the internet virtual world, 2nd life. She appears as an avatar and goes by the name Blue4u Nowicka, all provided free to the listener. Debbie also passes out Dusk to Dawn t shirts and Ok Blues society shirts to other avatars. She has broadcast live with musicians from around the world by means of a method called dual streaming or piggy backing.
She is a regular at many of the longest running festivals in the U.S, Dusk to Dawn, The Arcadia Blues Fest, Paseo Fest, Festival of the Arts, Arts Fest of Oklahoma OCCC
Often a mentor to the younger generation, 14 year old Chad Dorris appears on lead guitar on Ash Tuesday, an original that went #1 General Blues genre at the former mp3.com. 6 other originals also went #1.
17 year old Shawna Kennedy appears on violin on Amazing Grace, and 17 year old Patrisha Henning, Debbie's daughter, plays cello. The recording was a mother's day gift to her Mom, Beverly. It is the 1st and only time the violin had been heard in over 70 years, as it belonged to Debbie's dad, Val and he quit playing at age 12. Patrisha also lends both lead and harmony vocals along w cello on several other recordings.She began playing professionally with her mom at 12 years old.
Winner of The women of mp3.com contest.
Semi finalist in the Marlboro national talent round-up $75,000 prize
OK radio play at KRXO, KGOU, KTMC, KOOL, K-LTE
Community producer of over 50 videos broadcast on cox cable.
played 12 string only age 14-22 now plays slide on 12
Influences
Debbie's Story
Influences
Jim Croce, Carole King, Harry Chapin, Keb Mo, Tampa Red, Bessie Smith, Ray Charles, John Prine,