Today we’d like to introduce you to John “DJ Johnny’ O” Horton Jr
DJ Johnny’ O, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Johnny O’s love affair with music started in 1977. Picture this: a young Johnny, mesmerized by his neighbor “DJ Dougie,” who had just returned from Germany with Two stone-made Kenwood turntables and massive speakers. Dougie’s outdoor sets captivated the neighborhood, and it wasn’t long before Johnny asked to learn the art. That first spin on a professional DJ system was all it took—DJ Johnny O was borned and hooked.
For three years, Johnny O carried crates of records and honed his skills with Dougie and Terry Macklin. In 1980, he bought his first set of Technics SL 100s. A year later, he upgraded to the Technics SL1200’s, becoming the first street DJ in Cleveland, OH, to own them. By 1982, cutting and scratching were integral to my sets, I practiced relentlessly to perfect his skills and turntable techniques.
From 1981 to 2001, Johnny O rocked the vinyl with my SL 1200s. Then came the game-changer: the Pioneer CDJ 1000s. These allowed DJs to use CDs, revolutionizing the craft by eliminating the need for heavy crates of records. The art of DJing evolved, and Johnny O evolved with it, mastering the new technology through hard work and practice.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No roads are smooth as we all would like them, rough roads creates strong resilient individuals which is why after 48 years I am still out here djing a few times a month. I could do more but I’m running Six Radio stations Five Internet and One FM station WTSX 104.9 in Kokomo Indiana. I remember we were out on tour with KRS One doing an Ohio run, in Youngstown the Promoter was acting really bad and we sensed this dude was up to no good. The promoter was trying to take my equipment and didn’t want to pay us or KRS One so Chris F That We ain’t giving up nothing without a fight, the promoter back down paid us and we took off to the next city. No pain no gain. I have a lot of stories to tell. One of Johnny O & The Sorcerer Crew’s biggest supporter was Lynn Tolliver, Lynn was the Program Director at WZAK 93.1 which back in the 80’s was the 4th ranked station in the country. A Detroit Promoter by the name of Geri Frisson came to town and was looking for a local artist/group to open for her rap tour. She asked Lynn who would you recommend? Lynn said JOHNNY O & The Sorcerer Crew. Ms Frisson was like you said the very quick, Lynn replied They are the HOTTEST in this City. Lynn called me and asked me to come to the station, I was there within 20 minutes. I walked in and Lynn introduced me to Geri Frisson. Ms Frisson went right to work asking me do you think you and your crew can rock Public Hall? Loud and Clear I said Hell Yeah! She then said if you guys can do what you said I will take you all on our 44 City tour featuring LL Cool J, Whodini, Rock Master Scott and the Dynamic Three, Sparky D, The Real Roxanne and Headliner Kurtis Blow and DJ RedAlert. We had 2 or 3 weeks to prepare our show and get our stage outfits. This is when I hit up the magic stores and found Black Hooded Robes and Spark Shooters to go on our fingers. Show time is upon us and we are nervous, we had the board operator turn the lights all the way off and when we walked out on the Public hall stage I was Scratching each of my crews name bringing each one on stage once each was on stage we shot off our fire switches in the palms of our hands and the Crowd went nuts! We had 15 minutes to rock the crowd. When we finished the crowd wanted more so it sealed the deal. The only problem was my crew was between 14 to 17 years old. They were all on summer break so I had to go to each family and get their permission to take their sons out on the road. Since I was always a gentleman to took care of their sons as my brothers they all gave them permission to go with me. Ms Frisson told me and DJ Shock when we went to get paid after the show I will pay you $300 per show, $100 per day for food and One hotel room in each city. The next city was in Two days in Pittsburgh, the show went well because my name was pretty big in that city from being on FM 108 Clubstyle shows. On our way to Cincinnati the tour bus broke down maybe an Hour and a half from the city. Since we had to drive my own van we were able to drive ahead and get cold drinks and eats. So LL Cool Jay and DJ Cut Creator jumped in the van with us eight and we have been friends ever since. Drop them back to the tour bus and we drive into the venue to explain they are on their way. The Cincy show was crazy, sold out and people were waiting to get in when we arrived to the venue. We stay over night and get up the next morning heading to Toledo. Our name is really known in the Glass City. Coming up route 75 heading to Toledo and it’s raining cats and dogs and right drivers tire blows out with me driving at 75mph. All I could think of was getting my crew home safely to their parents, I gave them my word and I known for keeping my word. We get out and change tires in the rain and make it in in time to get ready to get on stage. Johnny O & The Sorcerer Crew felt like we were at home. We received so much love from the Toledo residents who most have never meet us just hearing us on The Clubstyle Show for years. The show went overtime so no one got paid at the venue. Back at the hotel all of the artists are in the lobby waiting on Ms Frisson. Me being who I am and I’m very confident in myself me and DJ Shock walked up to her room asking for our pay. There were a lot of Detroit Balls everywhere and Geri says can you come back? I said no we need to talk, she brings us in and I know a few of the dudes in there wrapping up the cash. They came over from Detroit and robbed her of all of the show proceeds. The tour was over. LL Cool J, Cut Creator and E Love rode back with us to fly out of Cleveland.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Currently I have been retired from Laborers Local 310 since October 3 2020. I was hired as a Business agent Oct 3rd 1993 my last job in the field was the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame I was the concert foreman and ran the grade-all lift truck. I joined the Laborers Union at 18 years of age from 1980 and retired 40 years later in 2020. Both of my parents were Union members all of their lives. My parents sent me to college to become an Electrical Engineer, I chose Youngstown State I really turned my DJing up at YSU, I was djing every frat & soro parties and even parties at the High schools in Youngstown & Warren. I was called into a Million Dollar Club in Warren to be their Dj but i was only 20 he said come back once I hit 21. Went back two weeks before my 21st birthday and he gave me the gig. I had everyone from YSU packed in the club and we partied. I ended up djing there for Two years straight until I came home to marry my wife and raise my 1st born daughter. Patrice was always with me and the crew in the studio or at festivals as a baby.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Me and my best friend Christopher “DJ Wild C” Davis started a magazine in 1988 without knowing what to do and how to do it. All I knew was I took print shop in Jr High at Margret Spellacy and had a little knowledge. My partner’s Mom Mrs. Davis (RIP) wanted to be an investor and only wanted Two shiny Quarters from our 1st profits. It’s A Rap was formed and took us all over this country interviewing and meeting people. We covered the Jake The Rapper conference in Atlanta in 1991 we met and interviewed George Clinton and even smoked a fat joint with him, Boys II Men, ABC aka Another Bad Creation and so many more. I remember talking with Chris about we need to cover this conference. I was laid off from work and only had a few hundred dollars to drive down, find a place to lay our heads and get back home. So Chris had an old girlfriend let us sleep on her floor, Jaz was It’s A Rap’s Graphic Editor and a Dope Ass Graffiti Artist from a group name DOIN EVERYTHING FUNKY which Sano did the cover for the OH.10 Album
Pricing:
- 1 Hr Radio Show Rental $300 per month
- 2 Hr Radio Show Rental $500 per month
- 30 Day Promotional Package $300
- 30 Day Zoom Promotional Package $500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://NerveDJInstitute.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/djjohnnyo
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/djjohnnyo
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/djjohnnyo
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/Nervedjs
- Other: https://NerveDJsMixtapes.com
