Daily Inspiration: Meet Ashton Martin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashton Martin.

Hi Ashton, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am proud to say that I grew up in a small rural farming community by the name of Westphalia, Kansas where work ethic is learned and yes my real name is Ashton Martin, middle name interestingly enough is DJ (David Joseph).

I went to school in Burlington, Kansas then I went to college at the University of Kansas to study Exercise Science and Psychology while being a member of the Air Force ROTC. I was dead set on being a pilot in the Air Force as I had been flying off of a scholarship from high school. It was something I always wanted to do; hell, when I was little I always wanted to be a bird. In 2007, cutbacks happened which changed my career path due to the economy. In my hometown, my grandma owned a Bar and Grill that had live bands and of course a jukebox, which I took over and drove everybody crazy. In college, I was a bartender and I have always been drawn to the nightlife since day one. So it’s no surprise when I started playing with music, mixing music with fruity loops (popular program at the time)in college and thereafter applied what I knew when I hired the DJs for the club I managed. They used Serato, records and Turntables, which peaked more of my interest. DJ Archi & B-Stee showed me the proper ways and mechanics if you will of djing, I caught on pretty quick and practiced A LOT before the bar would open. This turned into me doing opening sets and when the DJs would arrive, I would go back and bartend. So in my opinion, learning how to open as a DJ was extremely important and still is. I had no idea at the time how important it actually was. I learned so much on how to build a room from the minute the first customer walked through the door. One thing led to another, people asked me to play the parties and that’s how I made the decision to move to Kansas City in 2007.

My first residency was at the Legends at a place called Banana Joe’s, I actually showed up to bartend. But the DJ didn’t show up and guess who had their equipment, me. Things seem to just work out from there. I took a residency through a friend that was managing the old Mickey’s Irish pub which was called Saints Pub N Patio in Lenexa, Kansas. I met Brandon Noone aka Dj Highnoone, a now brother and colleague around this time and he helped open some doors for me as well. One of which was the legendary Raoul’s Velvet Room on 119th St. in Overland Park, Kansas. Having built my name up around the city on the outskirts so to speak, I was offered a happy hour djing gig by my friend Leo Prieto at what some will remember as Reverse. Re:Berse was extremely pivotal for my career as it was where everyone went on Thursdays and networking happened very naturally there. Also at that time, Martini Corner was another area where I continued to build my name. Sol Cantina and Velvet Dog, which is known as Brickhouse now, I played both of those. Some might remember The Point and man, was that a time to be alive! After more hard work and grinding, which I believe led me to an offer for an opening spot at Mosaic in Power and Light, a residency at Jones Pool, Hotel Night Club and the Main Stage; having worked hard and through building great relationships, doors continued to open. Then and now, I continue to execute any contract I have at all costs.

Now let’s talk a little bit about the corporate event world. A good friend of mine Shanna Adamic in 2009 asked me to play for Cerner’s charitable foundation, which at the time was named First-Hand Foundation for their masquerade ball which really kicked off the corporate side of my career. I now have over 300+ corporate contracts, it’s been fun to build every single year with each and every one of them to make their event better and better. You might see me playing at Children’s Mercy Park for Sporting Kansas City, Kauffman Stadium for the Royals or a tailgate at Arrowhead for the Chiefs; all of which derive from continuing to work hard and grow with people.

As of today, I have over 50 contractors including DJs and musicians. Which leads me into a partnership I want to mention: My best friend and colleague Mr. Chris Davis, owner and founder of Jukeboxx Media. I am sure you have heard of “Lost Wax” party band?!?!

We have worked together in collaboration for over ten years now, and it’s a very big part and highlight of my career so far. It has truly been a pleasure and I look forward to whatever it is we create next! One I have to speak of presently is our joint venture called “The Collective” a Dj Centric – Musician Collaboration with heavy attention and emphasis on production! Inquire and I would love to talk more about us rocking your next event! I am biased, but it really is a cool concept! Speaking of production, a special thanks to the Paradise Production KC team for having our back on events.

Today I find myself not only being an entertainer by djing but as an agent as well. I really enjoy representing people and putting people in a position to win, and most importantly making the client happy. I love the creation of events and seeing everything come together with the best execution possible. The way you can achieve that is by having a great team, I believe I have one of the best teams one could ask for and I truly appreciate each of them. I’m the entertainment director for Ale House, the Fall, Scarlet, Society, Social; which in itself is very fulfilling for me. Being able to see all of these rooms come to life and seeing a plan come together are things that I love and drive me. I am really fortunate to have been given the opportunities I have because in my mind, I’m still just a country boy that was given a chance in the “big city” to do what I love and help lift others along the way.

I Love You KC and Thank You For Your Support… I Have More In Store.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Early in my career, the biggest obstacles would have been being young and owners not taking me serious. I had what I thought were great ideas to really connect a partnership between dj – owner and to get the best experience for both. That would include a working relationship and of course more profitable nights. Although it was nerve racking and frustrating, I kept consistent and today, I have achieved those relationships and I will continue to grow them Relationships are everything in business as well as overall trust. I trust my clients and they trust me.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I wear many hats as I have touched on in this piece. Promoter, Agent, Dj, Emcee, Entertainment Director, Mentor, Father, etc… I am willing to continue to learn and evolve with this industry and step into any shoes needed in order to move forward and progress. Kansas City is one of the best markets/ cities I truly believe that.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Someone said, “behind every successful man is a strong woman,” Ashley, my wife is strong but also successful as well. She owns/ operates her own Pharmacy, Auten Pharmacy, In Osawatomie, KS. We are both proud parents to our little human, Monroe.

Contact Info:

• Email: DJASHTONMARTIN@GMAIL.COM
• Website: DJASHTONMARTIN.COM
• Instagram: DJASHTONMARTIN
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ashtonmartinkc
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DJASHTONMARTIN
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/djashtonmartin

Image Credits
Daniel Welch Oak Media CodeC