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Jay Armsworthy and Eastern Tradition play a variety of “hard-driving” Bluegrass music. 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.
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.
Jay Armsworthy and Eastern Tradition 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.
With guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass and effective vocal harmonies, this acoustic ensemble is suited for all functions and social gatherings.
= areas covered (up to 260 miles)
= free travel (up to 220 miles)
Example of Song List:
CHISELED IN STONE
GOT NO REASON FOR GOING HOME
LUCILE
HE STARTED LOVING HER TODAY
YOUR CHEATING HEART
MORE AND MORE
ROAD INTO TOWN
COME BACK DARLING
WE’LL MEET AGAIN SWEETHEART
BIG COUNTRY
LONESOME WITHOUT YOU
TRAVELING THIS LONESOME ROAD
WONDER WHERE YOU ARE TONIGHT
DRIFTING WITH THE TIDE
HEAVENS DOOR
BEAR TRACKS
BLUERIDGE CABIN HOME
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE LONESOME
GOING HOME
WHEN MY BLUE MOON TURNS TO GOLD
OH JESUS
I OVER LOOKED AN ORCHID
HOMES ACROSS THE BLUERIDGE MTS.
WINGS OF ANGELS
DRINK UP AND GO HOME
LOVE PLEASE COME HOME
IN DESPAIR
WILL YOU BE LONESOME TOO
LENA
TRAVELN’ THIS LONESOME ROAD
LONESOME W/O YOU
SWEET DIXIE
PEARL
WORRIED MAN BLUES
Shucking Corn
LITTLE WHITE CHURCH
YOUR LOVE IS LIKE A FLOWER
We require 4 high quality vocal microphones, 3 high quality instrument microphones (4 if we have a fiddle player). All on boom style tripod microphone stands. Also required is 1 direct input box for the bass and amp. The band provides their own bass amp for the bass. It is required that the promoter provides a heavy duty extension cord for the bass amp. A stool is also appreciated. 2 high quality speakers that are suitable for the size of the venue and at least 2 high quality floor monitors. Setup Requirements: Mics & mic stands. speakers, floor monotors (band can provide)
Our stage requirements to perform a show is very minimal. When able to provide, we appreciate a flat, solid stage that is at least 16 feet wide and 8 feet in depth and at least 1 foot in height. Anything above 1 foot high is required to have additional steps to enter and exit the stage. We can utilize the provided space that the promoter has to offer, but to put on our best performance, the above mentioned requirements and dimensions is greatly appreciated by the bands musicians.
Yes, we’re completely self contained. We bring our own PA system to all of our gigs when needed. As well as stage lights when needed.
Yes, we’re happy to play recorded music before, after and between our sets. We’re happy to choose the music ourselves or let the client choose the music.
We performed for the Maryland State Art's Council's Heritage Award Ceremony and was treated like a star. Also we performed for the Maryland State Folk Festival which was hosted by the Maryland State Arts Council.
We love playing at all sorts of events but fairs, festivals, and carvinals are our favourite!
The guests are always happy with our performances.
We have been together since the early 90's and havre played at various events and private gatherings since that time.
BANDS OPENED FOR
CHAD BROCK (country performer)
JOHNNY RODRIGUS (County performer)
IIIRD TYME OUT
GOLDWING EXPRESS
RENO BROTHERS
RALPH STANLEY & THE CLINCH MOUNTAIN BOYS
JAMES KING BAND
BOB PAISLEY & THE SOUTHERN GRASS
CLIFF WALDRON & THE NEW SHADES OF GRASS
PATENT PENDING
DAVID DAVIS & THE WARRIOR RIVER BOYS
Setup for the band takes an hour and a full show performance is preferably 2 50 minutes sets.
We’re happy to play outside but we ask for shade, a flat level surface and a power supply close to the performance area.
We typically have oru own set list but are able to accommodate special request to the best of our ability.
Great communication!
Jay called me prior to the event to confirm my wishes. They arrived early to the venue and delivered exactly as promised! Such a friendly and talented group. Highly recommended!!
Excellent Performance in all aspects
Jay Armsworthy and Eastern Tradition were a joy to work with. All aspects of the event went smooth. From our initial contacts through the final songs, it was smooth. Folks at our party remarked on how tight they were as a band. The harmonies, melodies were focused, coordinated. This is a band that has spent decades honing their craft and it shows. They have a huge catalog of music from originals to old standards. Jay and the Eastern Tradition had our crowd up dancing, smiling, and enjoying some excellent bluegrass. Working with Jay was smooth. We coordinated initially, set the details, and had a quick follow-up a day or two prior to confirming. Jay arrived early to set up. Once they started playing, it was just magic. Thank you, Jay.
Yes, I have a trio called Cuzin's N Harmony which features 2 cousins on guitar and mandolin along with a bass player. We play traditional old time style of Bluegrass with lots of smooth harmonies.
JAY ARMSWORTHY & EASTERN TRADITION
Appearances and Performances
BLUEGRASS FESTIVALS
Music In The Mountains, Summersville, WV
Peaceful Valley Bluegrass Festival, Shinhopple, NY.
Gettysburg Bluegrass Camporee, Gettysburg, PA.
Pemi Valley Bluegrass Festival, Campton, NH
Mountain Top Bluegrass Festival, Tarentum, PA
Arcadia Bluegrass Festival, Arcadia, MD.
Christopher Run Bluegrass Festival, Mineral, VA.
Pickin In The Pasture, Lodi, NY.
Central Virginia Family Bluegrass Festival, Amelia, VA.
Lil Margaret's Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival, Leonardtown, MD.
Old Bedford Village Bluegrass Festival, Bedford, PA.
Penninsula Bluegrass Association’s Creekside Bluegrass Festival, Laurel, DE.
Northern Neck Bluegrass Festival, Warsaw, VA.
Pavia Sportsman Club Bluegrass Festival, Pavia, PA.
Jamboree on the Hill, West Milton, PA
Mountain Heir Bluegrass Festival, Old Washington, OH
Bluegrass on the Potomac, Lions Club, Colonial Beach, VA
Grand Caverns Bluegrass Festival, Grottoes, VA
STATE and COUNTY FAIRS
New York State Fair, Syracuse, NY.
Prince George's County Fair, Upper Marlboro, MD.
Montgomery County Fair, Gaithersburg, MD
Charles County Fair, La Plata, MD.
Calvert County Fair, Barstow, MD.
Garrett County Fair, Oakland, MD.
Cecil County Fair, Fair Hill, MD
Lucketts Fair, Lucketts, VA.
Wayne County Fair, Honesdale, PA
Anne Arundel County Fair, Crownsville, MD
Green-Dreeher-Sterling Fair, Honesdale, PA
Grange Fair, State College, PA
Bluemont Fair, Bluemont, VA
BANDS OPENED FOR
CHAD BROCK (country performer)
JOHNNY RODRIGUS (County performer)
IIIRD TYME OUT
GOLDWING EXPRESS
RENO BROTHERS
RALPH STANLEY & THE CLINCH MOUNTAIN BOYS
JAMES KING BAND
BOB PAISLEY & THE SOUTHERN GRASS
CLIFF WALDRON & THE NEW SHADES OF GRASS
PATENT PENDING
DAVID DAVIS & THE WARRIOR RIVER BOYS
OTHER EVENTS, VENUES, and ASSOCIATIONS
WWVA Wheeling Jamboree, Wheeling, WV.
Bethlehem Musikfest 2000, Bethlehem, PA.
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA.
Frederick's 4th of July, Baker Park, Frederick, MD.
Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival Latrobe, PA.
St. Mary's County Oyster Festival, Leonardtown, MD.
Leitersburg Peach Festival, Leitersburg, MD.
Penny Royal Opry, Fairview, OH.
Lucketts Community Center, Lucketts, VA
Adirondack Bluegrass League, Saratoga Springs, NY
Acoustic Music Guild, Manahawkin, NJ
Tarara Vineyard & Winery, Leesburg, VA
Blessing Of the Fleet, St. Clements Island, Colton’s Point, MD
Country Corner Coffee House, South Hadley, MA
WWVA Wheeling Jamboree, Wheeling, WV.
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA.
Penny Royal Opry, Fairview, OH.
Lucketts Community Center, Lucketts, VA
Tarara Vineyard & Winery, Leesburg, VA
Country Corner Coffee House, South Hadley, MA
Wedding
Birthday Party
Private Event
Corporate Event
Hotel / Restaurant Event
Funeral / Memorial
Concert
Religious Event
Cruise
Charity Event
Theatre Show
Christmas Party
New Year's Eve
Musical Theatre
1950s Music
1960s Music
1970s Music
1980s Music
1990s Music
2000s+ Music
Bluegrass
Country
Christmas
Church Music
House
Gospel
Background Music
Instrumental
Male & female vocalists
100% acoustic (no power)
Female vocalist
PA / sound system included
Male vocalist