Meet Larry Kennon of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry Kennon.

Larry, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Music has pretty much always been the common thread in everything I do. I’m a musician and music educator first, and DJing became another way for me to connect with people through music. DJ OhK started back in 2010, honestly just from loving music and wanting to create a great atmosphere for people. What began pretty casually turned into weddings, private events, parties, clubs, and eventually opportunities I never really expected when I started. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to DJ all kinds of events and for all kinds of crowds. One of the coolest chapters has been getting to take DJ OhK outside of Ohio, including playing at SUR in West Hollywood. At the same time, I’ve continued my career as a band director and professional musician, so I’m constantly surrounded by music in one form or another. I think that background has shaped the way I DJ. I’m not interested in just pressing play on a predetermined playlist. I pay attention to the room, figure out what people are responding to, and let the night develop from there. Some crowds want throwbacks, some want current music, some want a little bit of everything. The fun part is figuring that out in real time. Sixteen years later, I’m still doing it because I genuinely enjoy it. DJ OhK has grown a lot from where it started, but the goal really hasn’t changed: play great music, read the room, and make sure people have a great time.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges has always been balancing DJ OhK with everything else I do. I’m a full-time music educator and band director, I perform as a musician, and I’ve always had other creative and professional projects happening at the same time. There have definitely been seasons where DJing had to take a back seat simply because there are only so many hours in a week. There’s also a huge difference between being good at DJing and actually building a business around it. You have to learn how to market yourself, build relationships, price your work appropriately, invest in equipment, handle the business side, and convince someone who has never heard you play that you’re the person they should trust with their event. Breaking into new markets has been another challenge. It’s one thing to build a reputation close to home; it’s another to walk into a place like Los Angeles where nobody knows you and start building relationships from scratch. But those experiences have also been some of the most rewarding. I’ve learned not to measure success by whether everything happens quickly. I started DJing in 2010, and some of the coolest opportunities I’ve had are happening more than a decade later. Sometimes the road is just about continuing to show up, getting better, meeting people, and being ready when the right opportunity comes along.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At the core of DJ OhK, I specialize in creating the right atmosphere for the people who are actually in the room. I DJ weddings, private events, parties, corporate events, clubs, and pretty much anywhere people want great music and a great time. I think what sets me apart is that I’m a musician first. Outside of DJ OhK, I’m a professional musician and a full-time band director and music educator. I’ve spent my entire adult life studying music, performing it, teaching it, and figuring out how people connect with it. That definitely influences the way I DJ. I’m big on reading the room. I don’t believe the same playlist works for every crowd, and I don’t want an event to feel like I’m just working my way through a predetermined set. I’m constantly watching the dance floor, changing directions when I need to, taking requests, and finding those songs that make everybody suddenly look at each other and run to the floor. I’m probably most proud of how far music has taken me and the variety of experiences I’ve been able to have because of it. DJ OhK started in Ohio in 2010, and now I’ve had the opportunity to take it across the country, including DJing at SUR in West Hollywood. At the same time, I get to spend my days teaching the next generation of musicians. Those worlds might seem pretty different, but to me they’re all connected. What I want people to remember about DJ OhK isn’t necessarily me — it’s the night. If people leave saying, “That was so much fun,” then I did my job.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I think the biggest thing I’d share is to keep saying yes to things that excite you, even when you don’t know exactly where they’re going to lead. DJ OhK started as something I loved doing, and sixteen years later it has taken me places and introduced me to people I never could have predicted. I’m still ambitious about where I want to take it, too. I want to keep growing outside of Ohio, playing new cities and venues, meeting new people, and seeing where this thing can go. At the same time, I never want it to become so serious that I forget why I started doing it in the first place. Music is supposed to be fun. Bringing people together, creating a night they’ll remember, and getting to be part of those moments is still the best part of what I do. If you see DJ OhK somewhere, come say hi — and come ready to dance.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/itsdjohk