An Alternate Approach

The band’s repertoire consists of traditional Bluegrass, original ballads, energized instrumentals, and old-time gospel. With their own arrangements, Jay Armsworthy and Eastern Tradition insert a “punch” and a “drive” into Bluegrass music that is enthusing audiences of all ages. They have played countless fairs, festivals, community and private functions throughout the Eastern United States. Both Bluegrass audiences and the general listening public enthusiastically receive them. 

JAY ARMSWORTHY – Guitar, lead & tenor vocals. From California, Maryland, Jay Armsworthy has been performing, promoting, and airing Bluegrass music for 37 years. He not only heads up his own band, but he is the promoter several events in the Southern Maryland area such as the annual Bluegrass for Hospice, L’il Margaret’s Bluegrass Festival, and a concert series at the American Legion in Hughesville, MD. He started playing guitar by the age of 10 and by 13 he had his own band performing in areas throughout St. Mary’s County, Maryland. By the age of 18, he put together his first Bluegrass show which was a benefit for a friend and featured over 6 bands. Since that time, Jay has put on concerts and fundraisers for various organizations.

Jay plays guitar and sings with his band, Jay Armsworthy & Eastern Tradition throughout the East Coast. He has also been a part of other regional bands in Maryland including Ernie Bradley & Grassy Ridge as well as traveled and performed throughout the summer of 1995 with Bluegrass Artist David Davis & the Warrior River Boys from Alabama and in later years with the Paul Adkins Band.  Jay also plays mandolin as well as singing lead & tenor vocals. He is known for his “driving” rhythm guitar playing, “cuttin’-up” entertainment on stage, and his hot licks and smooth voice are appreciated by all. Jay has received many complements on his first solo recording project entitled, “Just Lookin’ For Fun” which was recorded in 1995. To date he has 4 recordings with his latest, and most popular, an all gospel project titled "I Couldn't Make It Without Him" on Blue Circle Records which features a stellar lineup of professional musicians. 

Jay started his radio career on January 17, 1993 on AM WPTX radio in Lexington Park, Maryland playing Bluegrass music for a 1 hour show he called “The Bluegrass Hour”. Nestled off the coast of the Chesapeake Bay, he changed the name of his show to “Bluegrass on the Bay” when an additional hour was added as well as another radio station. It was then heard on its sister station FM WMDM. He has also been heard on FM WBEY in Pocomoke City, Maryland, World Wide Bluegrass.com, and The Bluegrass Mix.com. Bluegrass on the Bay is currently heard on 5 radio stations: AM-1510 WWSM in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, WNNT FM-107.5 and realradio804.com in Warsaw/Tappahannock, Virginia, The Bluegrass Jamboree.com, The SBB Radio Network and 91.7 FM in Tennessee, Valerie Smith’s Bell Buckle Radio, and most recently WAMU’s Bluegrass Country.org, 105.5 FM, & 88.5 HD Channel 2. He produces the program from his home in California, Maryland. 

Whether it’s performing, promoting, or DJ’ing, Jay Armsworthy has a passion for Bluegrass music and it shows in his endeavors.

SCOTT WALKER - Banjo, baritone, & bass vocals. Scott is from Friendswood, Texas, and currently lives in Front Royal Virginia. He started playing the banjo at the age of 15, trading $30.00 and an old bowling ball for his first instrument. The early influence of Earl Scruggs set the bar for Scott’s belief in the 3 T’s: “taste, timing, and tone”, as the basis for good banjo playing. Along with Scruggs, Scott is heavily influenced by J.D. Crowe, Sonny Osborne, and Bill Emerson.  While grounded in the traditional style he is also able to incorporate a modern approach. Over the past 30 years, Scott has worked and recorded with Paul Adkins and the Borderline Band, Leon Morris and Associates, Shenandoah Blue, Fastest Grass Alive, Jimmy Gaudreau, Bill Yates, Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa, and many others. He has been featured in the Banjo Newsletter for the writing of his original banjo tunes.  His humor and friendship are a big part the Jay Armsworthy & Eastern Tradition show.

DALE EYLER – Fiddle, lead, tenor, & baritone vocals.  From the time he was born, Dale just fell into the music. He took classical violin lessons through school. There was a time when the peer pressure of being the only student carrying a violin on the school bus almost made him quit. His Dad forced him into keeping up with it, and he’s glad he did. At 16, Dale began playing an occasional number with his family group, the Carroll County Ramblers and just 10 years after that, he joined them full time. Today he’s full-time traditional fiddle player and great singer. He’s a fantastic arranger for Eastern Tradition.  Dale makes his home in Littlestown, PA.

Bonnie EYLER – Bass, lead & tenor vocals.  Having studied in a school of nursing in the early seventy’s, she settled to be a bass player. She started at an early age playing bass in her parent’s band, the Carroll County Ramblers. She has written songs for the band and has made many recordings with her mom and Dad. Bonnie says playing music is fun! And it shows in her stage performances. She loves to entertain and crack a funny joke or two. She carries a lot of musical history and is a great asset to Eastern Tradition. Bonnie makes her home in Taneytown, Maryland

What Others Are Saying:

"It's obvious that they all love the music and love to play and sing it, both on stage and off. And you won't meet a nicer bunch of people anywhere."