Overdrive
A Look Into Jim Reeves on Overdrive’s Music To Truck By

July 30, 2021

                            
				1
			
[PODCAST]Big Al pays tribute to the late Jim Reeves in this episode of Overdrive’s Music To Truck By.

								Haulin’ Grass
							We're Truckin' OnMore info

Who We Are
				The Bluegrass Jamboree streams Bluegrass, Classic Country and Bluegrass Gospel online, 24/7				

				Discover more 			

		Recent Posts
		
					MUSIC REVIEW: Anthony Howell “Hold Back the Dawn”
									
					MUSIC REVIEW: The Roller Family “This is What Resistance Looks Like”
									
					MUSIC REVIEW: Mike Mitchell Band
									
					FEATURED ARTIST: Adalyn Ramey
									
					MUSIC REVIEW: Kaintuck Band
									
		Banners  
	         
Recent CommentsTeresatoombs on Blue Moon of Kentucky
Robert Humphrey on The Carter Scratch
Debbie on ONCE IN A WHILE
John eskew on Flatt & Scruggs – Foggy Mountain Breakdown
lonnie bateman on Which Train
Latest news		
							   		
									MUSIC REVIEW: Anthony Howell “Hold Back the Dawn”
				
									MUSIC REVIEW: The Roller Family “This is What Resistance Looks Like”
				
									MUSIC REVIEW: Mike Mitchell Band
				
									FEATURED ARTIST: Adalyn Ramey
				
									MUSIC REVIEW: Kaintuck Band
				
				Now on air
					            					        
								Down To The Roots
							
								Digging Deep to the Roots							
								
Jeff DeFord was born in 1961 and raised in rural Indiana. At age 13 his junior high English teacher, Mr. Jim Johnson - who also worked weekends spinning records at nearby WSMJ-FM in Greenfield, Indiana - invited Jeff along to one of his shows to help answer telephone requests. The rest, as they say, is history. Even though he was only in eighth grade, Jeff’s enthusiasm was so evident he was asked to join a crew of high school students at the station that produced a weekly program highlighting various academic and sporting events, as well as other campus activities.
After graduating Jeff attended Mesa Community College in Arizona majoring in English and Broadcast Journalism while interning at the campus-based NPR station, KMCR-FM, hosting a vintage jazz and blues show and was the play-by-play voice of Mesa Thunderbirds basketball. Later he worked in the sports department at KOOL-TV in Phoenix reporting from Major League Baseball spring training games and interviewing players, managers, coaching staff and team executives. He also produced, directed and narrated several student orientation films for the school, as well as a documentary for Price Sports Group regarding the progressive changes in sports medicine. After college Jeff moved to San Diego, California, working independently doing voice-overs, commercials, audio book narration and Master of Ceremonies for business parties, company picnics, wedding receptions ​and other public functions. It was during this time Jeff was starting to reconnect with his love of bluegrass music.
<img class="wp-image-59525 size-large alignright" src="http://thebluegrassjamboree.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Jeff-DeFord-e1480716494969-250x250.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="250" />
Jeff always had a desire to share his collection of vintage folk and old-time recordings he had accumulated over his many years and after considering the new possibilities and eyeing the emerging popularity of internet radio, he realized he could host a show right from home!
In 2006 his Bluegrass Roots And Branches show began an eight-year run at WorldWideBluegrass.com, with the old-time sounds immediately becoming popular with listeners of all age groups that were attracted to the unique format.
In 2008 Jeff briefly relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, working with the legendary radio station, WSM, on the new Bluegrass Underground show, interviewing artists that performed at the Cumberland Caverns venue. He continued his weekly old-time music show, changing the name to Down To The Roots to better reflect the vintage music played on the program. He was also promoted to general manager and acted in that capacity until November, 2014 when Jeff moved his show to BluegrassMix.com, remaining there until May, 2016.
Info and episodes
Upcoming shows
				
								Music Free For All
							
								3:00pm							

								The Gospel Express
							
								6:00pm							

								Flashpoint Bluegrass
							
								8:00pm							

								Music Free For All
							
								11:00pm