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 sub-genre of Americana which infuses acoustic rock, bluegrass, and electric jam music to attract music listeners across the genres and generations.

“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 “Last Draw”, the band’s most recent album released in 2017, 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”.