Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Just a year after being spotted by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Oxford, DJ Gary Smith officially gets his own show as The Urban Gospel Experience becomes a regular Sunday night feature on the station.

When he appeared as a guest to talk about his work as a motivational gospel DJ working with schools and community groups, the last thing Gary, aka DJG, expected was to end up presenting his own show.

But, thanks to his efforts to bring gospel music to a wider audience and his natural ability as a presenter, Gary's show The Urban Gospel Experience is now a regular fixture in the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Oxford schedule.

Talking about his new opportunity, Gary said: "I originally went on the Sybil Ruscoe show to talk about my DJ-ing and working with schools.

"But I think she realised how passionate I was about what I did and immediately told the station management about me.

"Initially we had a six-week run then that turned into 10 weeks and then 12, so it's great for the show to get a permanent slot.

"Without Gospel music you wouldn't have blues or R&B, or rock & roll.

"So having a regular show on a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ station is a big deal, it will open up doors for artists to be heard in the mainstream."

Gary, whose love of music began with playing drums in church as a boy, now works with young people across Oxfordshire, using DJ-ing to motivate them and build self confidence.

He says: "I started doing my son's school discos and one of the staff asked if I'd do an after-school class. I realised I really enjoyed doing it and so started approaching other schools to see if they were interested.

"I have two rules in class, you respect the equipment and you respect each other. They get to use the proper equipment, which can be worth Β£12,000, I put my trust in them to use it properly and show I have confidence in them so they find confidence in themselves."

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Oxford Assistant Editor Will Banks said of Gary and the new show: "Gary and I got talking about music, and his passion for and knowledge of gospel were obvious right from the start.

"Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Oxford wanted to reflect Oxfordshire's vibrant gospel music scene, and Gary was the perfect choice to do that.

"It's not every day that someone walks in off the street and ends up with a show, but it just shows you that anything can happen."

The Urban Gospel Experience is on Sunday nights at 7.00pm from 7Β June 2009 on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Oxford 95.2 FM, and on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer.

HB