Deep in a jumble of overflowing crates of records, two turntables and a mixer, tangled black and white wires and three hijacked computer speakers, Bloomington DJ Tom Slick is nevertheless completely in control of the beat. At the up-beat, one hand jitters across the edge of his scratch record while the other hand's fingers gyrate in a blurred motion on the cross fader. He's almost ready. And it's a good thing, because the biggest concert of his career is less than two days away. \nSlick, also known as IU senior Lane "Tommy" Jones, is a scheduled opening act at the upcoming, first annual Fhat Fest 2003 -- a concert featuring Naughty by Nature, as well as other openers including Mablab, Rhymefest, Snake Mobb Records and DJ Indiana Jones of 92.3 radio. But even though his name appears on the concert flyer in bold, white outlined text along with the select groups, Jones has never performed in front of Mizuma Entertainment, the company who offered him the opportunity to perform. Instead, his opportunity came in the form of a chance meeting, a solid connection and pure luck.\nJones was acting as DJ for an Asian American Association
\nValentine's party along with his friend and associate, sophomore Will Chu, when they met two men asking for directions to a venue. The conversation turned to music and music promotion, and Jones and Chu ended up giving one of the men a business card from their association of Bloomington DJ's, GrooveTech Productions. The men, who turned out to be co-directors of the promotional company Mizuma Entertainment, remembered the two, calling them in August to help out with the launching of Fhat Fest on Oct. 4. Mizuma was also interested in a local, talented hip-hop DJ. Suddenly, despite the fact they'd never heard him perform, DJ Tom Slick had a big gig.\nAs for the 2 x 3 blue and yellow business card, which caused all events to unfold, Chu has a new reverence for its importance. \n"That card is worth its weight in gold," he says.\nChu, who takes all calls for GrooveTech, recommended Jones for the concert. \n"I thought Tommy was going to kill me when I called him to tell him that they wanted him to perform," Chu says. "He's so ecstatic about opening for a group like Naughty by Nature."\nHowever, Jones exudes a sort of anticipatory calm about the countdown to his upcoming performance as he continues to work on the 30-minute mix he will present at Fhat Fest. He wants his performance to showcase his skills as a DJ, and plans to have a mix of heavy beats, scratching, old school songs and beat juggling. Trained by the renowned DJ Topspeed of Indianapolis, who he practically considers a brother, Jones favors a mix of commercial and underground artists. Though the actual artists featured in his concert mix remain a secret known only to him, fans are sure to get a taste of both.\nAs for his scratching, Jones's favorite part of being a DJ, the crowd will get more than a taste. Scratching, a way of moving in and out of the sound while staying on the beat, is Jones's most developed skill. \n"I can't stop scratching; I'm addicted," Jones says. "It's like you're playing the drums on two turntables. I love doing it." \nBloomington fans may have glimpsed Slick spinning at local clubs Axis or Vertigo, several parties for large associations or at one of countless house parties. However, opening for Naughty by Nature may catapult him further into the limelight. \n"Its an honor to spin in front of them," Jones says. "I really respect them"
