Jeff DeFord 65 connections

I grew up in rural Indiana and moved West a few months before I turned 16. I enjoyed listening to vintage music and old-time radio shows at a very early age. I have collected recordings and archived events as far back as I can remember and that has expanded my musical tastes throughout my life.

I became interested in broadcasting when I was 13 years old. My 8th grade English teacher was a weekend disc-jockey at WSMJ-FM in Greenfield, Indiana. I asked if he'd take me along to answer phone requests one day and I've been involved in broadcasting ever since.

These days I host a weekly internet radio show, "Bluegrass Roots And Branches", on Wednesday evenings at 8pm EST on www.worldwidebluegrass.com. The show highlights my collection of rarely-heard tunes from the early days of recorded acoustic music. You'll hear old-time string bands, mountain music, cowboy songs, hillbilly performers, traditional bluegrass, etc.

In my spare time I enjoy being "Uncle Jeff" to my nieces and nephews. I love entertaining family and friends, taking care of my pet turtles and tortoises, cooking, baking and playing my banjo. I also like watching my favorite sports teams: Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Steelers, Boston Celtics and Indiana Hoosiers.