Jamie Thomas

By Debra Edwards
debra@caymnnetnews.com

Driven by the spirit of the Lord, local radio personality and Tempo VJ Jamie Thomas bids adieu to Cayman.

Trinidadian-born Jamie began his career in entertainment by dancing on two television series— “Party Time” and “Body Beat”— in the 1990s. He then went on to be the opening act for such major recording artistes as Queen Latifah and Naughty by Nature.

With a resume boasting 15 years media experience, Jamie has served as a host for top gospel acts such as Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond and as a judge at the Marlin Gospel Music Awards in the Bahamas for the past five years. He has also worked in television, promotions, production and radio.

Jamie, or Jay T, as he is otherwise known, has begun to make a mark in the Caribbean entertainment industry.

He moved to the Cayman Islands for the first time ten years ago, to work at Heaven 97 FM Radio Station. “When I first arrived in Cayman to work for Heaven 97, it was a baby station at the time—so it’s amazing to see just how much it has grown.”

After his first stint at Heaven 97 he returned to Trinidad for a spell and then decided to move back to Cayman and Heaven97 to become their programme director, and to be host of the popular power drive which aired from Mondays to Fridays.

“While here in Cayman the opportunity opened up with [the television station] Tempo [based in New York], as the VJ/host for Rise and Shine, which I was proud to be a part of,” explained Jamie.

Rise and Shine is an inspirational show filled with music and messages from today’s biggest gospel acts and spiritual leaders.

“Since Tempo launched, it has opened up a great opportunity for gospel artistes, giving them the opportunity to get their music videos played on a regular basis. The market is opening up for the gospel industry and I would like to service the industry with high level video production,” says Jamie.

When asked the rationale for leaving the Cayman Islands, Jamie said:

“ I would first like to thank everybody in Cayman who has been a part of my story, but I now feel it’s time to move on.

“ I am going back home to get involved in the media to continue what I love to do, and establish my company, which will focus on production management, events, artiste management and even making the transition into music video production,” he explained.

“The market in Trinidad is much more viable than Cayman in the sense that in Cayman the marketability for gospel event production and planning is still growing here.”

Noting he has never had any formal training for the work he does, he adds, “ When you are passion-driven you can do any job.

“About 80 percent of the world goes to a job that they don’t like, every single day, and just 20 percent of the world actually likes what they do— and so I am happy to say I fall into that 20 percent,” says Jamie.

Where can we see Jamie in five years?

“Working internationally in terms of the media, as a producer and a presenter, and creating opportunities for individuals who want to work in this area. Growing towards being a business tycoon, being involved in many businesses that would spin off from what I do.”

With a smile he quickly adds, “I have a dream and my dream continues to unfold.”