Jonny Olsen, a 28-year-old former semipro skateboarder who plays a khaen

[anan]

They Call Him Mawlummawkhaenfalang
Meet Jonny Olsen, former semi-pro skater and downtown scenester.
He's now a Laotian pop star.

Check out:
http://www.worldhum.com/weblog/item/los_an..._laos_20081120/
http://www.laweekly.com/2008-11-20/music/t...awkhaenfalang/1

Read more fresh news on Lao Sentinel at:
http://englance.com/laosnews/
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[saobomp]

i heard his songs they are nice. it's good to hear someone from another culture enjoys and value our culture. if he practice more and more he'll be a great singer. his khanh is great already.

 

[anan]

if u are more curious , check out American Folk Classic music played by Jonny LOL !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o87-Kuv0DLI&NR=1

it's awesome !!! wanna make me dance lol...

 

[nina07]

I actually went to a huge birthday party not too long ago, and he was there. He's really good LOL
You could tell he felt kind of awkward though hehe.
I also have his CD and it's pretty good for a non-laotian

 

[noungning]

wow really interesting, thanks for sharing

 

[anan]

wow really interesting, thanks for sharing

It's a pleasure to share with all Lao Sarnies here ^_^

 

[Thookatha]

oh dang, that dude is really cool! i mean, it's weird enough to see a regular white dude play something like a khaen, but to see a YOUNG, EX-SKATER really take a stab this is truly bizarre.

 

[Patty]

i met him in L.A during the festival,he's very friendly

 

[Liberty]

lol That's such a trip.
What I wanna know is where he learned to play it in the first place?
Does he know a lot of Lao people?

 

[saobomp]

He said that he had a khon lao friend and worked part time at a thai/lao resturaunt then it hit him one day that he wants to learn the language more so he went to laos to visit. he find himself loving the country, people and music so then it began...

 

[Toon]

W-O-W is all I have to say. The Khaen is a really hard instrument to master too. I've tried it...you've really gotta have lung power for that. Man...I feel so insignificant compared to this guy and I'm a real Laotian LOL!!!

 

[Brandy]

He performed at the temple I went to in July && my mom has this vcd...I was scared because he's actually very good at playing the khaen. Hehh xD

 

[IRukYou]

I met Jonny on July 4th!! at Wat Lao Buddhavong. He was pretty nice in person. Even observing him when he wasn't surrounded by crowds, he seem very humble, and smily. I'll put up pic if I get a chance. He's so tall.