Frank Evans, founding banjo player and vocalist with Toronto’s Slocan Ramblers, has announced that he is leaving the band.
This is not an entirely unexpected move, as Evans has been living in Nashville for some time now, making for a fairly difficult commute.
He says in a statement today that it’s time to take this step.
“Big news today, folks. After nearly 17 years of playing in a bluegrass band with some of my favorite musicians and closest friends, The Slocan Ramblers, I’ve decided to step away from this project. I’m often asked what my biggest musical influence is, and without a doubt, it’s this wonderful group of guys. We’ve traveled the world together and played stages I never would have imagined a little bluegrass band from Toronto could reach. I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of this band and will always cherish the music, friendships, and memories we made along the way.
The Ramblers will continue going strong, with new music coming out this year on Mountain Fever Records and a busy touring schedule kicking off next week in North Carolina, featuring bluegrass ace Bryan McDowell on fiddle, vocals, and some clawhammer banjo.
As for me, I’m looking forward to the next chapter and will be keeping plenty busy in Nashville, exploring new musical opportunities and collaborations.”
The Ramblers, consisting of Adrian Gross on mandolin, Darryl Poulsen on guitar and vocals, and Charles Jameson bass and vocals, likewise offered a statement about the change.
“Well folks, we’ve got big news. Since our first gigs in 2009, Frank Evans has been pickin’ the banjo and singing with The Slocan Ramblers. We put out four albums, logged more kilometres and gigs that we can count, and pretty much figured out how to be bluegrass musicians together. So it’s with a bittersweet feeling that we bid farewell to Frank. With a couple of us Ramblers having kids and needing to be home more, and Frank wanting to be on the road as much as he can, this just makes sense, and he has a busy 2026 planned on tour and in Nashville.
A huge thanks to Frank for being an amazing band mate and collaborator for so many years! We’ll miss having his huge talent and wild energy on stage, and are excited to hear the music he’s about to make.
The Ramblers will keep going strong, and are excited to hit the road starting next week in NC with bluegrass ace Bryan Mcdowell on fiddle, vocals and some clawhammer (with us until the end of summer). The Ramblers have always been a banjo band, but this change of personnel calls for a new sound. Inspired by our upcoming album which features guest fiddlers (recorded with Frank, and coming out on Mountain Fever Records), we’re embracing this change, putting the fiddle front and centre, and diving headfirst into this new era for the band.
Thanks to all our fans and the bluegrass community, and we’ll see you out on the road!”
You can find the 2026 Slocan Ramblers tour dates online, and see Frank Evans’ there as well.
