As an only child born to self-employed parents in the Mississippi Delta, Odiss Kohn was blessed with an ideal childhood. His Mom, a beautician, and Dad a transmission specialist could both take off work as they pleased to travel with their young son and enjoy the great outdoors. Some of his fondest memories are of riding shotgun in his Dad’s ’69 Ford F-150 custom pickup to go fishing and hunting, horse back riding and camping month after month, year after year.

They would listen to “old timey” folk and country music, and it was through his Dad he learned to appreciate true traditional country. He recalls that much of his inspiration stemmed from hearing his Dad say ”Son, this type of music gives you a glimpse of where the artist was, where he is now in his life, and where he wants to be….these songs have a message anybody can relate to and embrace.” Further inspiration comes from his connection to the soul within the alluvia dirt of his home, the jazzy mellow of the magnolia trees, the folklore of the cotton fields, and the country of the back roads and fishing holes from childhood.

Odiss began singing in public at the tender young age of five when chosen to perform at his pre-K graduation at the local high school auditorium. He was able to choose the song, and as the family was active members of their church, he knew and loved the song Victory in Jesus. Although scared and nervous, he was delighted when he received a standing ovation.

Besides being a music lover, Odiss is also patriotic and found the best way to show the love of his country was to join its military. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 2003.

Kohn’s military time was well spent educating himself and becoming proficient in courses such as the Basic Airborne Course, U.S. Army Ranger Course, Air Assault Course, Pathfinder School, and the Warrior Leadership Course.

His willingness to learn and dedication to his military career proved helpful in becoming a better solider. He was deployed on multiple tours which include serving in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait as a member of the United States Army Premier Elite strike force. Each deployment, each mission, he strive to bring the man to his left, the man to his right, and himself home to family.  After ten total years of service, Kohn ended his military career with several medals and accommodations.

Strong and solid work ethic plus the words of his late grandfather “Love what you do, because if you love it you’ll acquire knowledge of it faster and stick with it longer” has gotten Odiss Kohn where he wanted to be in his military career and is now one of the driving forces in his music career.  The other is that of his wife and four small children. “They are the reason I get up in the morning, and the last ones I pray for every night.”

Finally moving to Nashville, he has had the blessing of coming face to face with some of Nashville’s greatest from Reba McEntire, Jo Dee Messina, Charlie Louvin, John Rich and the Possum, George Jones. Odiss has also had the opportunity to work with some of the best song writers in the industry such as Monty Holmes, Tommy Barnes, James Dean Hicks, John Northrup, The late Buck Moore, Troy Shields, Tony Stampley, Ed Hill, and Billy Lawson. “It’s truly amazing to sit in and watch these guys do what they do best and it’s a blessing to partake,” says Odiss after writing Comfort Zone with Lawson and Hill.