The Vibe's DJ Big Dose killed in vehicle collision

Christopher Thorne Performed as DJ Big Dose and joined the station in 2012.

By Tiffany Stevens 

Christopher Thorne, a radio personality and promotions director at The Vibe (WVBE-FM, 100.1/97.7, 610 AM), was killed Friday in a vehicle collision in Panama, according to the station’s website. He was 45.
Thorne, who also went by Nigel Christopher, hosted a midday show as “DJ Big Dose.” Born on May 29, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York, he became interested in radio after watching his cousins perform turntable tricks, according to his Facebook page.

In 1989, Thorne began working at a community radio station in Atlanta. He later worked at WBHH in Norfolk, which was the first East Coast all hip-hop station. He joined The Vibe, which serves the Roanoke-Lynchburg market, on Oct. 22, 2012.

Bobby Hash, who often DJs at The Park, said Thorne helped the nightclub reopen and became one of two resident disc jockeys after it closed for a few months in 2013.

“Chris was a one of kind individual in this industry,” Hash wrote in a Facebook message. “He truly cared about those around him and pushed each of us to reach our potential (even if we didn’t recognize it ourselves). As a DJ his career spanned over 15 years, notably playing with names such as Lil Jon, P Diddy, Jagged Edge and more.”

Thorne described his spinning style as “smooth transitions and tight mixes that keep the dance floor packed,” according to his Facebook page. His preferred genres included disco, house, dub step, reggae and R&B.