Meet The Carroll County Ramblers

Versatility and quality performance are synonymous with the name of the Carroll County Ramblers. Each band member can provide several different qualities within the group, instrumentally and vocally. The group today consists of five members, three of which ( Dottie, Bonnie, and Dale Eyler) are family, with Frank Schoepf and Steve Waldon, who are considered part of the family, rounding out the group. The Ramblers have recorded several albums for Zap, Adelphi, and Alear labels plus several recording projects on their own label.  The Carroll County Ramblers have always made it their goal to perform the best show possible for whatever audience they face. They've been pleasing audiences for over thirty years -- the young, the old, dyed in the wool bluegrass follower as well as the casual bluegrass listener. Judging by the reactions of their audiences, they've been meeting their goal successfully and will continue to strive to do so. The Carroll County Ramblers have made their mark in bluegrass music and are here to stay!

Dottie Eyler plays rhythm guitar and sings lead, tenor and high baritone. Raised in a musically oriented family, Dottie played guitar and sang with her sister at age 10, performing at church, for benefits, and other local shows. Dottie writes songs, some of which have been recorded on Carroll County Ramblers' albums. Her, "If That's The Way You Want It", and, "He's Upon The Mountain", receive numerous requests on the Carroll County Ramblers shows. In addition to music, Dottie is a talented artist specializing in oil painting of landscapes. She has also painted portraits of some of her favorite "Bluegrass Idols" and designs the T-shirts and logos for the band.

Bonnie Eyler literally grew up on bluegrass music. As a tiny tyke she'd curl up to sleep in the instrument cases when her mom and dad were playing on stage. Bonnie learned to play fiddle and bass, and went on stage with the family when she was a little girl. She officially joined the band after graduating from high school. Besides playing bass and sometimes fiddle, Bonnie sings lead, tenor and baritone and has started writing and performing some of her own family oriented songs, "Grandma's Sewing Machine", and, "Grandma and Me".

Dale Eyler handles the fiddle and sings lead and baritone. Dale provides precise, melodic accompaniment during the group's vocal selections and rousing renditions of bluegrass fiddle tunes. Although Dale has studied classical violin, his heart is in bluegrass! He reads music, researches selections, and arranges some of the groups materials. Dale's keen wit and delightful sense of humor enlivens stage performances and chases away the boredom during those long road trips!

Frank Schoepf plays five-string banjo and sings baritone. Frank is on his second time around with the Ramblers, having worked with the band in the 1978 and 1979 seasons. A veteran of several musical genres ranging from symphony orchestra to folk and rock, Frank has been playing bluegrass for over forty years and was a founding member of Baltimore's illustrious Bittersweet.

Steve Waldon Jr. brings youthful enthusiasm to the band, along with Championship winning mandolin playing. In his first attempt at competition, he won Deer Creek's 1999 mandolin competition in the adult class at age 14. Steve played in his first band, Briar Hollow, at age 13. Later he played with the Bluegrass Mountain Boys, before coming to the Carroll County Ramblers. He can be heard on three CD's with the prior bands. In his spare time, when not playing mandolin, he can be found playing banjo and guitar. Steve is happy to be a member of the Carroll County Ramblers with their long association in Bluegrass.