Jeff Wiltgen
-vocals & guitar

It all started Christmas Day 1967. I ran downstairs, looked under the tree, and there it was, a Silvertone tiger sunburst acoustic guitar. I have to admit, it wasn't on my list, but I was excited nonetheless. Spurred on by the fact that my older sister got to take lessons before me, on my guitar, I grabbed her beginner songbook, figured out the chords, and promptly kicked out a nasty version of "Home On The Range". I played acoustic guitar in the church combo throughout grade school. That was a pleasant experience. The best part was we always knew we had a gig at least once a week. After a few years of that, I discovered James Taylor and Neil Young songbooks.

I also found that if I locked myself in a room for hours at a time, I could learn a lot of songs. So I did. It was shortly thereafter that I started to search out other venues to play.

Being a member of The Rhythm Junkies is still kind of a head rush for me. You see, I was never in a real live electric band with loud guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, and stuff. Rather, I spent all those years between 1967 and 1997, playing my Silvertone and an assortment of other acoustic guitars in churches, boathouses, coffeehouses, pubs, and colleges around the Midwest. While I still get out around town and do my acoustic sets, I love to feel the power of the "big band". Here's hoping you come out and feel the power too. 

Jeff