DJ SEVEN is Jamey Wright of Jacksonville, Florida, USA. Cross Rhythms takes a closer look at his journey to trance musicmaker.

He started deejaying Christian music in 1992, which at that time was mostly alternative, but he also spun what little sanctified dance was available then. As time went on he went totally dance. He has deejayed all over the southeast US at many different venues. A coffee house with 30 people was the smallest (and one of the most fun). The largest was a rave opening for the Prodigal Sons with many hundreds of people at a Christian music festival. In the past few years, he has been concentrating on deejaying in the local community, at the Murray Hill theatre in Jacksonville, where this summer has seen the most successful dance nights locally with crowds of over 150. As Jamey says, "It is a cool place for kids to hear the message of the gospel in a non threatening manner."

Jamey has also gone into music production. "I managed to get one of my tracks on the forthcoming N-Soul compilation entitled 'Eclectica' that will be released this fall in the States. My style is trance or progressive house but I want to venture into other areas such as garage and drum and bass."

He has used his day job of internet technologies to further the sanctified dance scene by creating the Tastyfresh website with his partner, DJ Andy Payne in London. "Andy keeps up the UK side of things and I try and manage the US perspective."

As for the future, "I am certainly interested in pursuing more music making. I also want to help get the scene going strong here in Jacksonville. I like the idea of using dance music as a praise and worship vehicle. I think God is going to use Christian djs as a means to reach this generation and I want to be a willing vessel. I want God to use me as a positive influence for his kingdom!"

And finally, a message from Jamey: "To all of the sanctified djs reading this, I just want to encourage you to keep going, no matter what, because in the end your ministry does make a difference and it does matter." CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.