DEEZER D VISITS CAPE AS PART OF CHRISTIAN OUTREACH PROGRAM

Deezer D is in Cape Girardeau, keeping it real.

The 28-year-old hip-hop performer and actor best known for his role on the NBC television series "ER" has come to spend almost a week involved in a Christian outreach sponsored by Cape First Assembly.

"I don't come anywhere unless they're going to do something real for the kids," said Deezer, who has played nurse Malik McGrath on "ER" since the show went on the air seven years ago.

Deezer, whose real name is Daron Thompson, came to Cape Girardeau on the invitation of evangelist Steve Hage, who he said is his mentor. Hage will also speak during the Shake the Heartland crusade.

"He's a cool, funny, upbeat guy who backs up what he says with biblical principles," Deezer said.

Deezer does the same with his music. Talking about his song "Jealousy," he said its conception came in part from being accused that he was attending church to heighten his public relations value.

"I can go to any club and tell them I'm Deezer D and they'll roll out the red carpet for me," he said. "So why would I need better public relations?"

Deezer got his start as a full-time actor in 1990 after a part in an anti-smoking commercial. This led to him signing with an agent, who got him a guest spot on the television series "China Beach."

He later appeared in the film "Cool As Ice" in 1991 with rapper Vanilla Ice. It was a bad film, he admits.

"It went to the video market at intermission," Deezer said.

A 1993 film with "Saturday Night Live" performer Chris Rock wasn't much better. But Deezer recalls that as a turning point in his personal life. With counseling, he was able to break long-standing drug and alcohol habits.

After a year without drugs or alcohol, Deezer said he was ready to leave acting to become a substance abuse counselor. Then he got a call from John Wells, executive producer of "ER." The result has been a steady job for seven years on the top rated show on television.

Although his supporting role as a nurse has never pushed him to the center of an episode, Deezer said he has learned other things at the edge of the limelight.

"I think God has me there to learn how to feel low on the totem pole," he said.

When he performs songs from his two compact discs in featured performances Tuesday at the House of Hope and Wednesday at the Freedom Rock Youth Center, Deezer said he wants to demonstrate that being a Christian doesn't mean becoming a stereotype.

"I have never wanted to be put in a box," he said. "Being a Christian, you should be able to communicate with everybody."