About Jay Munton

Native Annapolitan Jay Munton began his music education at an early age through devoted listening to the local rock and country AM radio stations WYRE and WCAO.

Music was always a part of family life. Jay’s brothers played guitar, drums and trumpet, his father was a jazz clarinetist, and his mother was in charge of entertainment at the local American Legion hall.

The music at home and the time spent at neighbors’ houses listening to 45 rpm records, broadened Jay’s exposure to a wide range of musicians and styles.

Through the culmination of these experiences, Jay began to develop an interest in rhythm guitar at about 9 years old. This changed after he heard the Rolling Stones’ Honky Tonk Woman. It fostered his curiosity in drumming — and he felt that playing drums might be a faster vehicle to live performing.

Jay continued playing guitar and drums through high school. Shortly after high school, he moved to Florida where he began his musical career in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area in the mid-1970’s.

Jay gradually worked his way back up the east coast and settled once more into the local band scene. His love of music and versatility has allowed him to continue to work as a solo vocalist and instrumentalist, as well combine his efforts with the talents of other musicians.

One of the musicians Jay often teamed up with is longtime friend and professional musician Joe Dyson. Jay and Joe were in several bands together over the course of 15 years.

About Joe Dyson

Jay and Joe were in several bands together over the course of 15 years.

Joe Dyson is from Baltimore and, like Jay, grew up listening to doo-wop, Motown, the British Invasion, and his dad’s country music.

Joe’s interest and keen ear allowed him to quickly pick out the guitar parts from 45 rpm records. His talent was recognized at a young age and he was encouraged to become a professional musician almost immediately after high school.

Joe worked at his regular job during the day and was a professional musician at night – until financial opportunities appeared.

“I made more money playing the clubs in Baltimore, than I made at my regular job.” A few semesters in music school, where he focused on music theory, enhanced his versatile guitar technique.

Joe can be heard singing a wide repertoire, including the music of the Beatles, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bob Dylan, Elvis, Ricky Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, the Rolling Stones, George Straight, and others.

Over time, Joe became a guitar player for such groups as the Platters, Drifters, Bill Haley’s Comets, the early Smithereens and singers Martha Reeves, Otis Blackwell, Rick Nelson, and local legend Ronnie Dove, to name a few.