About The Band

  Dayle Eskridge and Changing Times is much more than just another Bluegrass Band. They can be described only by using the term "Show band", a title that they wear proudly! When the band first formed Eskridge knew that it was going to take more than simply "playing songs" to be successful. One night in 1995 an idea hit Dayle and he immediately contacted his friend and mandolin player Joe Hall. It was during that conversation that the formula that has made Dayle Eskridge and Changing Times so successful was first discussed. "I wanted to make it so that instead of just doing songs we could make a full production out of each and every set" said Dayle during an interview later. The next question was "how" to implement their ideas. "The first base to cover was material" said Dayle. What the band decided on was to let the "crowd choose" our material. How that was done was by each band member picking out a few songs and then giving them the "three show chance". "Basically the idea is if a song or tune still gets lukewarm response after its third performance it is cut from the set and another one is found" remarked Dayle. By utilizing this approach it didn’t take long before the band had material that was "knocking them out" each and every time. Still though the "show" was lacking and Dayle was out of ideas. It was during this time, as luck would have it that a former entertainer of Opryland came aboard. "We basically started using some of the routines that he had been doing down at Opryland" remarked Dayle. Another thing that evolved from that period was taking a few old country songs and rearranging them to fit the band. From that idea has sprung some of the groups most requested numbers. Dayle has also not forgotten his "roots" and includes a few "old time" pieces complete with "claw hammer style" banjo.

  As the years rolled by the Band started working more and more and soon found themselves on the road more than they were home. "In 2002 we have decided to limit our touring some and to not allow it to become stale," remarked Eskridge. And so from what first began as an idea has evolved one of the nations premier Show Bands. Each year they gain more in popularity with fans and peers alike. Proof of this can be found in their many awards and nominations. To name a few:

• 1998 SPBGMA Midwest Banjo Player of the Year.
• 1998 SPBGMA Midwest Entertainer of the Year.
• 1999 SPBGMA Midwest Entertaining Band of the Year.
• 1999 SPBGMA Midwest Entertainer of the Year.
• 2000 SPBGMA Midwest Entertainer of the Year.
• 2000 SPBGMA Midwest Entertaining Band of the Year.
• 2000 SPBGMA Midwest Bluegrass Band of the Year Traditional
• 2000 SPBGMA Midwest Bluegrass Guitar Player of the Year.
• 2000 SPBGMA Midwest Bluegrass Bass Player of the Year.

  If you have not had the opportunity to catch one of the bands performances than you owe it to yourself to "witness" one. I am sure that you will be as pleased and entertained as the numerous fans are whom they always attract!