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Jonny Olsen is a "Mawkhaen" professional player of the Lao Folk Melodies on the bamboo mouth organ. He is the first non Lao/Thai to win a khaen playing competition. He became the "First Farang Khaen Champion" at the Silk Festival in Khon Khaen, Thailand 2005.

"Anybody can pick up the khaen, blow into it, and easily make sounds from it, but learning the Lao traditional and classical music on the khaen is something totally more difficult."

"Jonny isn't your average everyday Farang. He has been singing in Lao since 2005, and has made history by being the first Westerner or Farang to make a music album in Laos. He has learned to sing the real Lao Traditional Folk melodies and play them on the khaen. He has traveled through the land of the top Master Lum Singers and Master Khaen players. He has met them and performed with them. He has teachers and Lao songwriters to write his music. He thinks it is important to keep the original Lao Folk melodies alive in his music. Jonny has his own unique style and he doesn't try to copy anyone else. He comes up with his own ideas for his lyrics and songs. He has great passion for Lao music. It comes from his heart."

Jonny has appeared on Thai and Lao TV numerous times and has performed with Ponglang Sa-On at their Amazing Thailand Show in the Muang Thong Thani Arena, Thailand on September 1, 2007. He performed at the Boon That Luang Festival in Vientiane, Laos in 2008. He also has performed with Thai superstar Tai Oratai in Pakse, Laos 2010. U.S.Ambassador Ravic Huso also invited Jonny Olsen to perform the khaen and sing for the U.S.A. Lao 55th Diplomatic Relations in February 2010. Jonny also performs around America from time to time. To contact Jonny, e-mail jonnyplayskhaen@hotmail.com

Jonny used to work at a Thai restaurant, and that's how he found out about Thai and Lao culture. He started studying the khaen at a village in Buriram in 2004, then he made his way through Northeast Thailand learning from many other khaen players. He continued and eventually ended up in Vientiane where he learned all the original Lao melodies from Ajahn Somdee. in 2005 he decided he wanted to sing Morlum Lao Folk music. Before he could sing, he couldn't even speak the language that well, but there was something special and catchy about the music that made Jonny love it so much and he just wanted to sing it! Through the music he learned more of the language. He found a teacher in Khon Kaen by the name of Mae Ratree Sivilai, who is a famous Morlum Folk singer in Isan/Esarn. She taught him how to sing Morlum. Jonny is forever grateful to all his teachers and the people who have helped him learn Lao Folk music.

Other people back at the Thai restaurant used to called Jonny "Fun pai gone" which means a daydreamer, but Jonny's dream came true! "Fun ti pen jing!" Jonny followed his dream to be a khaen player and a Morlum singer and now he is. He plans to keep studying about the music, language, culture, and the people of Laos. He's proud to be able to play the khaen and sing Morlum, and wants to promote the Lao culture through playing music wherever he goes. Jonny finished his first album in Laos in 2007. He has three albums. Check out some music videos below from all the different albums. Thank you to everyone for all your support!

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