"DJing is a form of expression... It manipulates moods and emotions and leads it's audience on a journey. Many times you can understand what's going on with me by feeling it through the music. It is one of the most spiritual forms of communication."

For Terry, DJing is not a trivial act of playing tunes embraced by the mainstream. It's a delicate and sensitive art form with broad interpretations. It's art where the audience is the canvas and the DJ creates an audio concept. Terry realized this early on and has never compromised his integrity or diverted to the "status quo". His DJ life was born in 1982 in Chicago during the WBMX Hot Mix 5 era.

Seeing how music had a great influence on people and how it was used to motivate and stimulate emotions, Terry sought to purchase his first set of DJ equipment. While under the instruction of a close friend at the time (Steve Philpot), Terry learned the art of mixing and editing. "Before I realized it, I was a freshman in high-school playing for the senior class parties." While playing at such an event, he played a song entitled "There But For The Grace Of God Go I." Not having heard of this song, Terry was disappointed but asked where he could here it. The answer to that question would forever change the way he partied.

Ron Hardy - The Music Box
Under age and naive about "The Club", Terry convinced a few buddy's to go on 63rd street and help him obtain a fake ID. The rest was history. "I was really only 15 and didn't have much club experience. I had been to and DJ'd several house parties but now, this was big time." First off, the club was literally under the streets and started at 12 midnight. The music was breath taking! It was not the radio music that he had in his crates, but a more mature type of sound. Nevertheless, the crowed responded with great enthusiasm each time another song was played. It was all about the music. There were people shouting at the top of there lungs and 4 or 5 guys dancing with a girl just lifting her and tossing her. She loved it. Terry became instantly addicted to the Box and tried to purchase everything he heard Ronnie play. Ron Hardy had become and still is his greatest influence.

Terry has rocked many spots as well as SIU's (his college) radio station WIDB. At every break he was at COD, Sauers or AKA's. Upon his return to Chicago, Ron Hardy had passed. The party scene in Chicago was never the same.

"I know that Ron was an artist and I can't copy his work but I can create my own." Terry has his own following of loyal listeners that support him when he plays. "I still play disco and some underground now. The music has come full circle. Terry is still committed to bridging a spiritual connection with his listeners and can be heard at different venues in the Chicagoland area as well as "thaunderground.com".

"I am not the one to play for the "what's hot right now" crowd." I want to take you to a place where your inhibitions do not exist and you can be consumed by the spiritual essence of all emotions. It is truly the journey that's to be appreciated."

Contact Terry James