Tilts Story

Jesse Def James Tilt, known to most in the Olympia/Lacey/Tumwater area as “DJ Tilt” is one of the South Sounds many DJ’s. 

DJ Tilt was born Jesse James William Strek in Rhinelander, a small town in Northern Wisconsin on June 25th 1980 at 2:16 am to James and Vicki. 

For the first two years of DJ Tilts life he lived with his moms and dad in a large A-frame house on a fresh water lake about 10 miles outside of town.  

Shortly after his parents separated.  DJ Tilts father never has been involved in his life, but DJ Tilt does not hold anything against him.

Over the next two years DJ Tilt and his moms lived in two different apartment complex's in the Rhinelander area.  

Even at that age he had begun recording on his Fisher Price deck.  Success was in his future and nothing was going to stop him.  

In the mid 80's DJ Tilt moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin with his Moms, so that she could complete her Masters Degree in Nursing. 

Over the next three years DJ Tilt spent much time with his Grandparents while his moms was studying and working as an RN at a hospital in Oshkosh.  It was there she met David, now DJ Tilts step-dad.    At the time David was visiting his sister (one of DJ Tilts moms patients) while he was home from his time in Africa for The Peace Corps. 

To make a long story short in early '88 DJ Tilt and his Moms moved to Lynnwood, Washington after David relocated to Seattle to work for The Army Corps Of Engineers as an Environmental Engineer, so she could be near him.   

The following summer DJ Tilt went through some tough times and a life altering experience back in Wisconsin, but did not let it shake him.

After a short stay and recovery in Wisconsin with the help of his family DJ Tilt moved back to Lynnwood, Washington and completed his second and third grade years. 

DJ Tilts Moms and David married and that was that.

In the summer of 1990 DJ Tilts Moms and Step-dad relocated to Mountlake Terrace, Washington, where he spent his childhood and teen years.  His Parents and Sister still live there today.

DJ Tilts interest and pursuit in the entertainment industry began in 1991 at the age of 11 after participating in a community benefit sponsored by a Seattle radio station.  At that point radio, production and DJing were a dream for him, but DJ Tilt was determined to make it a reality.  

DJ Tilts sister, "O" was born May 29th 1994.  Despite the almost 14 year age different they remain tight, as DJ Tilt does with his Moms and G-mama.  They are usually the first two phone call's DJ Tilt makes everyday.   

It wasn't until high school in which DJ Tilts love for the art of mixing, blending, flipping switch's, watching flashing lights and helping other people really began.  That year DJ Tilt began his exploration in the DJ/audio production/broadcast industry while attending Mountlake Terrace High School where he was involved in a radio (89.1 FM) and television (HBN) broadcasting course’s.  His popularity as a leader in his school among fellow students and teachers/staff was outstanding.

Being involved in the Choral Department and taking private voice lessons improved on his already incredible sense of pitch, tone and rhythm.  (Much luv to TJ Sullivan and Gretchen Hewitt)   

DJ Tilt was asked to speak at local elementary schools and received several awards for his achievements in high school.

DJ Tilt also completed an internship his Senior year with the Seattle Radio Station, KBKS FM - "Kiss 106.1" in '99.

Through out high school as an added bonus DJ Tilt gained experience and networked with others by “job shadowing” and working with the various DJ company’s that visited his school.  DJ Tilt gained practical experience and managed to pick up a couple paying “gig’s” this way. 

Shortly after graduating high school in 1999 DJ Tilt moved out of his parents house and started attending Edmonds Community College, but dropped out after only two quarters and joined the work force. 

Nothing grabbed his attention like radio, DJing and most of all the flashing lights on sound boards!  DJ Tilt would not settle for just another job.  He was determined to make his passion work, so in mid 2000 he packed up his gear and rolled down south to pursue the broadcast/DJ industry by attending Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Washington. 

DJ Tilt lived in the rough streets of "The Hill Top" from June of 2000 to March of 2001 while he studied Audio/Sound Technologies under the instruction of Willie Kelley, a former Announcer for KGY in nearby Olympia.  

Shortly after completing the course at Bates, DJ Tilt landed his first radio production gig in the Seattle area at KWJZ.  DJ Tilt lived in Renton while producing for them for about four months.  The traffic, cost of living and daily struggle wore DJ Tilt down.  He couldn't take it anymore and decided a change was in order. 

DJ Tilt gathered his belongings and relocated to The Dirty South, or Olympia in July of 2001.  Once again his family played a major roll in his support system. 

While attending Bates DJ Tilt had made several connections in the Olympia radio market, and it was because of that that he was able to fill a production position with KGY within the first month of moving to Olympia.  DJ Tilt followed that up five months later with yet another position with South Sound Broadcasting - KAYO, where he ran weekly production for three nationally syndicated radio programs as well as production for remote broadcasts.  DJ Tilt credits these employers for his already outstanding production skills. 

In addition DJ Tilt has also served for KAOS, a community operated radio station in Olympia.

While attending a “get together” in June of 2003 the urge to drop the beat and throw down the mix returned.  DJ Tilt made several contacts, and with in weeks he had reclaimed his passion. 

Since then DJ Tilt has provided music and entertainment for many events, organizations, schools, establishments and worked for several companies in the Seattle area. 

It was not until mid 2006 that Jesse Legally changed his name to DJ Tilt.

DJ Tilt prides himself on his persistence, perseverance through life, sense of humor, outgoing personality in the daily struggle, and attention to detail while involved in the production of an event.

DJ Tilts moms, step father, David, much younger sister, whom he refers to as "O" played a huge roll in his development as a person.  From school to various activities and more, DJ Tilts family was there for  his support, and they still are down to help him out if he needs it, cuz without family nobody really has anything.  People need people to make it in life.

A person needs to be around others who lift them up and make them feel good about life.

DJ Tilt relies on his broad sense of humor, quick wit, and unique style to make life interesting these days.

A man once told DJ Tilt his life sound like "The School Of Hard Knocks," but there is not a doubt in DJ Tilts mind that his experiences and strong, healthy family upbringing made him who and what he is today.  

If it weren't for "the people" DJ Tilt would not exist.  You think you know, but you have no idea.  Don't get it twisted!!!