About

Southern Maryland Bluegrass:

A concert series that originally started in Leonardtown, Maryland at an old theater called the Ye Ole Restuarant that was held monthly during the winter months started in the 90's.  After the closing of the venue, the concert series took home at the American Legion in Hughesville, Maryland.  The series has seen the likes of Larry Sparks, Russell Moore & the III Tyme Out, The Gibson Brothers, and many many more and brought an audience as far away as New York and Tennessee to see their favorites artists perform.



After a 15-year stint of what was called the "American Legion Bluegrass" concert series, the chapter of that book ended.  During the time of our world crises, Covid-19, the American Legion decided to close their doors for public events.  A new home for Bluegrass music was found in Prince Frederick, Maryland at the Calvert Elks Lodge #2620 and warmly welcomed Bluegrass fans to their hall.  A larger venue with comfortable cushioned chairs.  A new series was started to get Bluegrass fans out to enjoy live music.  "Bluegrass Comeback To Southern Maryland" which included several events leading up the the new series at the Elks.

Now today, we introduce to you a new series of some of the biggests names in Bluegrass, our new home of Bluegrass music, "Southern Maryland Bluegrass at the Elks"!

Host of: "Bluegrass on the Bay" radio program: About the program....
For nearly 7 years, Jay hosted “Bluegrass on the Bay” on 2 local radio stations near his hometown of California, Maryland. Today he is heard on 7 stations and produces the program from his home.

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, The Bluegrass Mix.com, and WNNT in Warsaw, VA.

Bluegrass on the Bay is currently heard on:

AM-1510 WWSM in Lebanon, Pennsylvania - Tuesday and Thursday morning from 10 – 11 am;
The Bluegrass Jamboree, “live”, on the internet at www.thebluegrassjamboree.com - Monday evening from 6 – 8 pm EST;
Southern Branch Bluegrass Radio Network and 91.7 FM in Powell, Tennessee at www.sbbradio.net - Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am – Noon;
Bluegrass Planet Radio at www.bluegrassplanetradio.com - Saturday 7 - 9 PM/Tuesday 3 - 5 AM;
WAMU’s Bluegrass Country in Washington, DC at www.bluegrasscountry.org. - Tuesday from 10 am – Noon
Valerie Smith’s Bell Buckle Radio at www.bellbuckleradio.com - Wednesday 4 - 6 PM/ Friday 3 - 5 AM/ Monday 4 - 6 PM ,
WKCW FM 90.3, Owensboro, KY, Saturday 6 – 8 AM
In addition to radio 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 as well as traveled and performed throughout the summer of 1995 with Bluegrass Artist, David Davis & the Warrior River Boys.  In his later years, he was part of the Paul Adkins Band as well.  To date, Jay currently has 5 CD’s recorded with his latest titled “My Best Friend” On Patuxent Music Record Label.  He also promotes and produces his own Bluegrass concerts and has done fundraisers for the Hospice of St. Mary’s County, Maryland and the Hollywood, Maryland Volunteer Rescue Squad.  Jay also took over the duties of promoter of the annual L’il Margaret’s Bluegrass music festival in Leonardtown, Maryland for it's final 2 years.

Band leader of: Jay Armsworthy & Eastern Tradition: 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, they insert a “punch” and a “drive” into Bluegrass music that is enthusing audiences of all ages.