High Lonesome Strings Monthly Meeting

Second Chance Bluegrass

Founded in 2002 by Jerry Tysinger, Randy Dally and Jon Essick, in 2005, Randy Shumaker (banjo- guitar-dobro 2005-2016) joined the band and brought a strong lead vocal to the group. Randy’s vocals, coupled with Jerry, Randy, and Jon formed a new sound that became recognizable as Second Chance Bluegrass. Tom Hyatt (2007-2010) joined the band in 2007 on banjo. Jon moved to the upright bass, and Randy moved to the guitar. Now the group was ready to record. Randy Shumaker had written a song about his battle with cancer titled “Bend in the Road” and it became the title track to the first project. The group now had a ministry going and sang in 67 churches and venues that year alone. Tom Hyatt moved to Kentucky, and after a few months, Greg Pettigrew (2010-2014) from Monroe, NC took over the banjo as the group’s ministry continued to grow. After Greg had to leave the road, Terry Martin (2014-2014) played banjo for a little while until his health wouldn’t allow him to continue. Blake Lanning, a 17-year-old from Reedy Creek, NC stepped in to take the banjo role, and still holds it today.

During 2014, the group recorded “It’s About Time”, which included the banjo work of Greg, Terry, and Blake. Back in 2007, Randy Shumaker had been diagnosed with cancer and was given 6 months to live. Randy ended up living for 9 more years before a blood disease finally overtook him in 2016. Randy was an inspiration to Second Chance as well as many people with his songs and testimony. Although this was a difficult time for the band, they remembered his last request was for the group to continue sharing the gospel and “keep on singing”. In 2019, the band released the long-awaited self-titled album “Second Chance Bluegrass”. They continue their mission together to share both their love for Bluegrass and their love for Jesus everywhere with everyone for whom they have the opportunity to perform.

Jon Essick is no stranger to bluegrass. At a young age, while living in Welcome, NC, Jon fell in love with singing. It didn’t take long for him to learn to clog. Even in elementary school, Jon would compete at fiddler’s conventions showing the world his love and talent for bluegrass. Jon joined The Welcomaires as a tenor in 1991, and it was there that he fell in love with harmony. As a founding member of Second Chance, Jon began by playing the banjo, but in 2007 he moved to the bass. Now Jon continues to show the world his love for bluegrass while remembering talents such as Russell Moore and Doyle Lawson for their influence on his musical style.

Jerry Tysinger is one of the founding members of Second Chance, but his bluegrass story began long before Second Chance was a thought. Inspired at an early age by Mike Riddle and the Primitive Quartet, Jerry followed in his father’s footsteps and began a journey in gospel music. Jerry joined the Welcomaires in 1994 and he has been playing guitar and singing bass for audiences everywhere, having been with Second Chance since its beginning.

Hailing from a small town in southwestern Pennsylvania, Randy Dally’s love for music began as a teenager. Randy started playing guitar while listening to rock, rhythm, and blues. The driving chop of Bill Monroe’s mandolin grabbed his attention in his twenties and never let go. Randy’s wife gave him a mandolin for Christmas one year, and from then on he began to teach himself how to play, while studying the styles of Wayne Benson and Doyle Lawson. In 2002, Randy, along with his band mates, formed Second Chance and has been with them ever since.

Blake Lanning is the newest, and youngest, member of Second Chance. Blake joined the seasoned band in 2015 at the age of 17. Blake’s skill as a bluegrass musician has proved to be well beyond his years. He wields an award-winning, no-nonsense, driving banjo that draws the audience in. Combined with his smooth lead vocals, Blake was clearly created for bluegrass. He grew up in Reedy Creek, NC listening to the likes of Terry Baucom and Doyle Lawson and now enjoys influencing others as a member of Second Chance.

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High Lonesome Strings Bluegrass Association

A group of Bluegrass musicians and fans who get together to celebrate Bluegrass music