Page 28 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2020

PEOPLE
BEATING
DISABILITIES
Young man overcomes challenges for musical greatness
story by John N. Felsher photos by Donn Hupp Wand courtesy of Kandi Henderson
eighing just one pound, six ounces at birth, Trae Henderson of Pass Christian battled severe challenges, but never stopped believing in his dream of excelling in music.
“I was 24 years old and had Trae at 24 weeks – 16 weeks premature,” recalled his mother Kandi Henderson, a nurse. “His lungs were not fully developed so they had to keep him on oxygen, even after he came home from the hospital. He is our little talented miracle now!”
Because of his premature birth, Trae still su ers from severe medical issues. Legally blind, he can see a little out of one eye and uses a cane to navigate. He is also a ected by autism, a developmental disorder. Despite his di culties, or perhaps because of them, he focused his attention on music at an early age.
“I started playing the drums at three years old,” Trae remarked. “I never had one music lesson. I taught myself how to play drums by ear. When I was little, I used to beat on pots and pans. I like hip hop, jazz, electronic dance music, a little bit of everything. I really like the Blue Man Group, Taylor Gordon and Marshmello, but I’ve always admired Travis Barker the most.”
While attending Pass Christian Middle School and then Pass Christian High School, Trae played in marching bands, concert bands, jazz bands and other musical ensembles. Before graduating in 2018, he received the Louis Armstrong Award for musical excellence.
Now, the 21-year-old plays drums in various venues across the Coastal Mississippi. In January 2020, he travelled to Las Vegas to audition for America’s Got Talent.
“Since I was in my early teens, I’ve always wanted to go to Las Vegas and play music,” he con rmed. “Since America’s Got Talent came on TV, I’ve always wanted to audition for it. I achieved both of those goals at one time.”
The Henderson Family can’t provide many details about the audition or the show because it hasn’t aired yet. For the audition, Trae had to bring a video, but couldn’t play the drums in person.
With his medical condition, Trae can never drive an automobile. However, if all goes well, driving might not be a major problem for the aspiring musician.
“I want to become a professional musician and a music producer,” Trae predicted. “I just need someone to drive me and point me in the right direction!”
ABOVE: Trae Henderson taught himself to drum. BELOW: Trae was born 16 weeks premature. BELOW RIGHT: Drumming with the Pass Christian High School band.
Autism Awareness Month
Take the Pledge! #CelebrateDifferences
for National Autism Awareness Month. Spread awareness, promote acceptance, ignite change. www.autism-society.org
28 | April 2020
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