ETSU freshman Craig Lewis is not even old enough to legally purchase tobacco, porn or lottery tickets, and he already runs his own successful business. Performing throughout the region for the past four years as DJ Craig, he has been continuously branching out his enterprise which now includes seven other employees.
Lewis began DJing when he was eight, and has been working commercially since he was 13. His strong work ethic enabled him to graduate high school at the age of 16.
His dedication could be partially genetic, as his parents were originally from New Zealand and moved to the United States before he was born just to pursue a internship at a medical school.
“When I was younger, I would save up my money to buy $20 or $30 lights at Spencer’s,” said Lewis. “I was interested in the lighting aspect of it before I began with the music. I’m not sure why.”
That interest led him to develop arguably the best lighting setup of any area DJ. As a computer science major with a digital media minor, his interest in other types of technology has been incorporated into his DJ work.
“As a DJ, anytime you see another DJ you always want to see what he’s working with” said DJ Nize. “He has some real nice equipment. He knows how to use technology to his advantage.”
Lewis estimates his total setup is worth approximately $20,000. “The small stuff adds up,” said Lewis, who purchases most of his equipment online. “I would never get speakers on Ebay, but you can get some good stuff on there,” said Lewis.
One piece of equipment he has become very skillful with is the Serato Scratch Life program. “You have to have some type of turntable setup or Serato is no use,” said Lewis. “I switched over after the firs eight months or so. Now most people watching me would never be able to tell that I use no vinyl at all.”
He has explored new opportunities for a local DJ in other ways, by having his own show, “Spinning Wheels,” on a Tampa-based Internet Radio station 95.9. “Most of it is what I record myself mixing and send to them,” said Lewis. “I mix and beat mix, but I’m not as much of a scratcher or turntabilsit.”
Doing more than just live performances does not mean he has abandoned that venue. Typically performing at least three or four a month, he has eight booked for May.
He has been the DJ at many on campus events: in the Cave, various fraternities and sororities parties, for the SGA, and the “Up Til Dawn” St. Jude’s Fundraiser in the CPA.
Milligan College, where he has been regularly performing at the fall formal for the past several years, also hosts many of his performances.
“He’s done all four events since I’ve been here and a few before that,” said Campus Activity Board member Mindy McConnell. “We’ve had a very good relationship with him, he’s very easy to work with,” said McConnell.
For further information or contact, go to DJ Craig’s Web page www.djtricities.com, which he designed himself.

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