'MilkDrive' milks every note they play

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin acoustic string group "MilkDrive" dropped by the KXAN Austin News studios for a live performance Monday.

The first song they played, "Kay’s Tune," is an instrumental song written by principal songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Noah Jefferies in honor of his mother.

The second track they played, "1952 Vincent Black Lightning," is a reminiscent song that features fiddle player Brian Beken on vocals.

The members of "MilkDrive" are from diverse backgrounds, and their musical resumes are impressive.

Jeffries grew up playing bluegrass and gospel in his family’s band in Idaho and has won a Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival Jazz Guitar Competition.

Dennis Ludiker is a member of the South Austin Jug Band. Ludiker won the 2009 RockyGrass Mandolin Contest and holds fiddling championship titles from the 2009 and 2008 Texas State-Fiddlers Frolics, among many other titles.

Brian Beken is also a member of the South Austin Jug and along with local group, "The Gougers." Beken was the 2004 Texas Flatpick Guitar Champion.

Bassist Matt Medford joined the band in 2009 and completed what is now "MilkDrive."

"MilkDrive" has a busy week ahead in Austin. They’re playing at the Elephant Room Monday, March 15, at 6:30 p.m., Botticelli’s on Tuesday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. and Saxon Pub on Sunday, March 21, at 6 p.m.