Frank Evans Signs with EMG
EMG is excited to announce the signing of Frank Evans and the release of his debut solo single "TJ's Last Ride".
Featuring Frank Evans (Banjo & Lead Vocals), Shad Cobb (fiddle),
Casey Campbell (mandolin), Justin Moses (dobro & tenor vocals),
Mike Bub (bass), Jake Stargel (acoustic guitar).
Produced by Frank Evans & Casey Campbell.
Written by Dennis Linde. First recorded by Roger Miller.
"I’ve been listening to Roger Miller since I was a kid—from the Robin Hood soundtrack to always having a “best of” tape playing in the car—which is why I wanted to include one of his tunes. “T.J.’s Last Ride” felt like the perfect choice: it has the kind of river-gazing imagery John Hartford might write, paired with the mournful, heartfelt tone of a Stanley Brothers song about a dear friend who has passed on. When I brought it into the session, the whole band unanimously agreed not to overthink it and to let the song speak for itself—and it did. We played it three times, and the version you hear is almost entirely the complete third take. It was a real honor to have such an incredible band on this track: Casey Campbell on mandolin, Mike Bub on bass, Justin Moses on dobro and tenor, Shad Cobb on fiddle and Jake Stargel on guitar."
- Frank Evans
A modern master of the banjo, Frank Evans has a remarkable talent for balancing innovation and tradition that feels simultaneously exciting and intuitive. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Evans has established himself as an eminent professional with decades of experience as a performer, teacher, and recording artist. As both a singer and instrumentalist, his knowledge, experience, and expertise have helped to define him as an indispensable leader of the newest generation of traditional music masters.
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Evans was drawn to the banjo from a young age and quickly immersed himself in the musical traditions of Lower Appalachia. Learning from fellow Canadian banjo maestro Chris Coole, Evans was a quick study and won the prestigious Clifftop Youth Banjo Contest at age 13. In 2011, Frank became the first banjo player to study at the Humber College of Music.
While at Humber, Frank joined rising Canadian bluegrass stars, the Slocan Ramblers. In 2020, they were awarded the Band of the Year Momentum Award by the International Bluegrass Music Association just after their third album, Queen City Jubilee , was nominated for a Juno Award in 2019. They would later be named Ensemble of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2023 and make their debut at the historic Grand Ole Opry in 2024.
Since moving to Nashville, Tennessee in 2019, Frank has performed with some of the industry's biggest stars including Old Crow Medicine Show (Ryman Auditorium), Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway (United Supermarkets Arena), Bronwyn Keith-Hynes (Grand Ole Opry), Trey Hensley, and Jason Carter. He is a highly sought after session musician who has been featured on recordings for Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy, Michael Cleveland, Jason Carter, Sierra Hull, Guthrie Trapp and the King Of The Hill soundtrack.
As a banjo player and vocalist, his ability to make virtuosity sound all at once spontaneous and effortless is striking. Switching freely between 3-finger and clawhammer style banjo, Evans’ talents as a technician are undoubtable, but his understanding and mastery is further apparent in his ability to teach others. His unique sound and affable personality has made him a student favorite while on staff at camps including The Nashville Acoustic Camp, RockyGrass Academy, and Midwest Banjo Camp.
These talents have also brought Evans abroad, giving him the opportunity to teach and perform across the Atlantic in countries such as Ireland, England, The Netherlands, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
Between all of this, Frank has still found the time to work on solo projects including the Madison Archives with Ben Plotnik in 2022 which was nominated for a Juno Award and received the Canadian Folk Music Award for Traditional Roots Album of the Year.
When he’s not traveling, Frank is a beloved member of the local music scene in Nashville. On almost any night Frank can be seen performing, leading a jam, or enjoying live music.
