Harold David Henson

Harold David Henson, 75, of Asheville passed peacefully with a hospice RN attending at 2:15 a.m. on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at Pisgah Valley Healthcare in Candler, his residency of 4 1/2 years.

A native of Buncombe Co., David was the son of the late Lloyd “Jay” Henson Jr. (Veteran, WWII) surviving injuries to age 67, and Elnora McFalls Henson, who worked for Asheville Pediatrics for 30 years, and lived to 97, who passed in 2021. Surviving is his sister, Carolyn (Bill) Baity of Etowah, NC; cousins, nieces and nephews.

David graduated from Lee Edwards High School in 1966, UNC-Chapel Hill with a BA and Graduate Studies in Photography, Record Production and Audio Engineering in 1971.

In 1973-75 David was recording for Stevie Wonder in NY. Stevie challenged him to also go to Recording Studios in Hollywood, CA during the years 1975-78.

David most enjoyed an unusual opportunity to become the Coordinator of Sound & Reinforcement at The Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, Belmont University, in Nashville, TN.

David’s life-long love for music, coupled with his technical skills, became the joy of his career. From TN he answered calls to recording studios in Charlotte, Charleston, SC, then to Myrtle Beach. Eventually David went solo as Moon Star Records, Production Engineer in the entertainment capital of Myrtle Beach. **

In about 2016, health issues led him back to Asheville. His first visit with a cardiologist called for a Heart Cath which led to a prohibited by-pass, progressing to multiple disabilities for long term convalescent care at the Pisgah Valley Healthcare Center in Candler.

Through the years living far & wide, David faithfully kept close touch with his mom, and if you knew David, you knew his mom. After our dad passed 30 years before, they kept the phone lines busy day and night. They watched many a Carolina or Braves ballgame play by play together, parades and Super Bowls.

David also has to this day a family of friends, some since grade school. Several have come to celebrate his last 3 birthdays in the Pisgah Manor courtyard. One such special friend, Anne, often visited David keeping touch with mutual friends, miles apart by Face Time and pocket talkers, brightening his days.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 7, in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home. Associate Pastor Justin Alexander, FBC-Hendersonville, will officiate. An informal visitation after the service will take place in the family room across from the chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Baptist Children’s Home at Broyhill, 111 Sneed Dr., Clyde, NC 28721 in memory of Hugh & Wanda Starnes, Cloyes & Mary Jo Starnes, former BCH Staff from the Henson Family & Friends.

**
Awards
Multi-Platinum Album (4 Grammys)
-First Assistant Engineer, Songs in the Key of Life: Stevie Wonder, Platinum Album
– Engineer, Legend: POCO, Gold Album (France)
– Engineer, Hollywood: Veronique Sanson, 1982 BMA Album of the Year
– Co-producer & Engineer, This One’s For You: The Embers, 1982 BMA Single of the Year
– Engineer, “Ocean Boulevard”: The Band of Oz, 1983 BMA Album of the Year
– Co-Producer & Engineer, The Poor Souls: The Poor Souls, Nominated for BMA Producer of the Year

Album Credits (Partial List):

New York 1973-1975:
Jim Croce I’ve Got a Name
James Taylor Walking Man
Bonnie Raitt Streetlights
Lou Courtney I’m In Need of Love
Henry Gross Plug Me Into Something
Jim Dawson Elephants in the Rain
Cashman and West Lifesong
Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life

Hollywood 1975-1978:
Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life
Flying Burito Brothers Airborne
Jackson Five 2 singles
Eric Carmen Boats Against the Current
Country Joe McDonald Rock and Roll Music from Planet Earth
Freda Payne Stares and Whispers
Billy Davis & Marilyn McCoo “My Reason to Be”
Jimmy & Kristy McNichol He’s So Fine
Veronique Sanson Hollywood
Chick Corea & Return to Forever Music Magic, The Mad Hatter, & Return to Forever-Live (4 record set)
Poco Legend
Ben Vereen Unreleased