A History of Bluegrass and Oldtime Music in Southern Maryland
Jay Armsworthy
Bluegrass and Old Time Country music have long been an important part of Southern Maryland culture. Join Southern Maryland's own Jay Armsworthy for a discussion of the role of these genres in the region. The discussion will take a broad look at the history of music in Southern Maryland, but will examine especially how the genre of bluegrass became a dominant part of the area's music--from front porch jam sessions to weekend dances to local festivals & the concert scene. The discussion will be followed by a question and answer session.
Jay Armsworthy, a 2019 recipient of the Heritage Award from the Maryland Traditions program, has been performing, promoting, and airing Bluegrass music for nearly 40 years. He was raised in California, Maryland, and started playing guitar at 10. By 13, he had his own band performing throughout St. Mary’s County. Armswothy has been a member of many bands over the years, including Ernie Bradley & Grassy Ridge, and the Paul Adkins Band. Currently, he plays guitar and sings with his band, Jay Armsworthy & Eastern Tradition, throughout the East Coast. He has five LPs, including 1995’s “Just Lookin’ For Fun,” an all-gospel project, "I Couldn't Make It Without Him" (Blue Circle, 2011), and most recently, “My Best Friend” (Patuxent Music, 2020). In addition to performing, Armsworthy has been a prolific bluegrass DJ and festival organizer. He has organized L’il Margaret’s Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival, among others, and his radio show, “The Bluegrass Hour,” is heard on a number of radio stations throughout Appalachia and the Mid-Atlantic.