Second Draw - Fridays After Five

Second Draw - Jam Band Bluegrass - Free Show!

“It’s bluegrass on consciousness-altering melodic narcotics”, writes Ron Wray, music enthusiast and critic on the topic of Charlottesville’s “Second Draw” band.“There are many good bands out there, especially in places like Charlottesville. But, Second Draw manages to stand out: It has melodies that expand on traditions, lyrics with narrative pull, addictive melodies, and diversity of sound and content.” 

Second Draw first began to play together in 2005, collecting new musicians and influences throughout the years. Core members, Shannon Williams (banjoist/composer); Jeff Luross (accordion and keys); and bassist Jim Keathley began playing together in 2005 and quickly realized their common desire to detour from the traditional bluegrass sound to a more acoustic rock-based sound. Mandolin player and composer, Rob Frayser, joined the group in late 2007, cementing the group’s direction toward a more Americana/jam band-based music. The group added drummer, Craig Dougald, and electric guitarist, Aaron Evans just before release of their first CD titled “White Dog” in late 2010. Collectively, the members sharpened their unique sound of what they call “Blue Jam Music”, a subgenre of Americana which infuses acoustic rock, bluegrass, and electric jam music to attract music listeners across generas and generations. Most recently, Second Draw added Silas Frayser, Rob’s son who definitely inherited some of his father’s musical genes. Silas, an accomplished guitarist, singer and songwriter in his own right, adds a definite youthful perspective to the band’s repertoire of original music.

         “White Dog”, named from the term old-timers use for the first run off the whiskey still, stands as a raw distillation of each musicians varied musical influences, while “The Last Draw”, the band’s most recent album, is more refined, a testament to the way the group has grown into their unique sound. Like a fine whisky, Second Draw plays songs that go down like water and warm your soul with melody, raw harmony, and honest lyrics, but with a definite rock edge that will get your feet moving. Shannon points out that the band’s name relates to the fact that most folks, after taking a first pull of the band’s unique “Blue Jam” sound, end up coming back for a longer more satisfying “Second Draw”.