10 Questions with ... Ocean Beach event and entertainment producer Keith Danon

Ten Questions is a series in the Point Loma-OB Monthly that shines a spotlight on notable locals we wish we knew more about. This month’s featured personality is Keith Danon, president of Music As You Like It Productions, an Ocean Beach-based event production and talent agency that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Music As You Like It provides live music and other entertainment, along with staging, lighting, audio-visual equipment and decor for various events and themes.

Here is what Danon has to say about himself:

“Keith Danon has been interested in music and entertainment since he was a youth and a magician growing up in Pasadena. He was intrigued by the old ‘sock hops’ that started in the early ‘40s providing funds for World War II. ... In the ‘50s, sock hops evolved with two turntables, larger speakers, lighting and a disc jockey making announcements to the kids. ...

“Keith graduated from San Diego State University with honors in the 1970s and became youth director for ... a naval housing facility. After booking [radio personality] ‘Shotgun Tom’ Kelly ... for a dance, Shotgun bowed out with an illness, leaving Keith with the microphone and records to play. At that time, Keith started his entertainment career.

“In 1973 he decided to start his own talent agency, booking hundreds of different types of acts for corporate events, weddings, the military and a host of other clients. Music As You Like It has now produced over 27,000 events around the country. ...

“A member of the Ocean Beach community for 51 years, he has seen the changes in both Ocean Beach and the entertainment world. ... He continues ‘selling fun’ around the country.”

Now on to the 10 Questions:

Q. What attracted you to the Ocean Beach-Point Loma area as a place to live?

A. Growing up in Pasadena, the family would always bring down the ski boat and spend two weeks at the Bahia [Resort at Mission Bay].

Q. What are your favorite places to go in Ocean Beach and Point Loma?

A. The beach for bodysurfing is always a treat, along with sailing and hitting tennis balls at the different courts.

Q. If you could snap your fingers and have it done, what might you add to improve Ocean Beach or Point Loma?

A. I would like to see it cleaned up as far as the homeless and give them opportunities to make a living.

Q. Who or what inspires you?

A. I enjoy traveling, visiting 84 countries in the past, and hanging out with interesting people.

Q. If you hosted a dinner party for five guests, who (living or deceased) would you invite?

A. My top five might be Mick Jagger, Bob Marley, Albert Einstein — just to get his hairdresser’s name — Jesus and my family.

Q. Tell us about what you are currently reading or watching on TV.

A. I’m a fan of “Shark Tank” and the news. John Grisham has always been a go-to easy read for me.

Q. What would be your dream vacation?

A. I have been extremely fortunate to have traveled as much as I have. I suppose it might be a one-year cruise in a nice suite around the world.

Q. What are your five favorite movies of all time?

A. “Citizen Kane,” “Casablanca,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Maltese Falcon” and “Fantasia.”

Q. What is your most prized possession?

A. My faith and health.

Q. What is your motto or philosophy of life?

A. The more experiences you have, the better. We learn from those experiences and adapt our lives for a happier existence. If what I have or have done can benefit others in a positive way, that is the goal. We always need to come from love.

Do you know someone you’d like us to ask 10 Questions? Send an email with your suggestion to robert.vardon@lajollalight.com.