Lee Michael Demsey Retires After More Than 44 Years In DC Radio

Washington area bluegrass broadcaster Lee Michael Demsey has retired after more than 44 years on the air at WAMU and Bluegrass Country (WAMU HD2). His last show was October 3rd. Demsey was a fixture of afternoon drive radio for decades before moving to Saturday mornings, where he continued sharing contemporary bluegrass music, artist interviews and the monthly Bluegrass Unlimited charts. He also produced the weekly Editor’s Picks and Open Mike programs.

Demsey’s radio career began while attending American University, where he worked at the student station and later as a substitute engineer at WAMU. In 1977, he became host of Rock n’ Roll Jukebox, one of the station’s most popular programs. He moved into bluegrass in 1982 with Capital Bluegrass, which eventually became The Lee Michael Demsey Show. Over the years, he became one of the most recognizable voices in Washington’s bluegrass community.

Demsey’s contributions to the music were recognized nationally. The International Bluegrass Music Association named him Broadcaster of the Year in 1991 and presented him with its Distinguished Achievement Award in 2021. He also spent more than three decades compiling the monthly bluegrass charts for Bluegrass Unlimited.