Dave Evans (bluegrass)

Dave Evans (bluegrass)
William "Dave" Evans (July 24, 1950 - June 26, 2017) was a tenor singer, banjo player, composer, and bluegrass band leader. He was noted for his powerful tenor vocal range and for his style which bridged traditional and contemporary bluegrass. Notable songs written by Evans include "One Loaf of Bread," "Highway 52," "99 Years is Almost for Life," and "Be Proud of the Grey in Your Hair."
Biography
Early years
Evans grew up in Columbus, Ohio. At age eight, Evans was introduced to the banjo by his father who played old time banjo, but Evans preferred the Earl Scruggs style of playing. In his teens, he began singing and writing songs. Evans' first professional band was in 1968, with Earl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys. Following the death of Evans' mother, he returned to Ohio for several years.
Larry Sparks
In 1972, Evans joined Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers. He spent three years with Sparks, then worked with other acts such as the Goins Brothers, Red Allen and the Kentuckians, and The Boys From Indiana, Lillie Mae, and the Dixie Gospelaires.
River Bend
In 1978, Evans formed his own band: Dave Evans and The River Bend. Initially they recorded for the Vetco label in Cincinnati, then Evans recorded nine albums for Rebel Records with his band and as a solo artist.
Later life
After an interruption due to time served for an assault conviction from 1989-1995, Evans resumed his music career in 1997, recording albums for Neon Records and Rebel. In 2010, Evans announced his retirement from touring due to health issues and he died on June 26, 2017.
Last of the Breed
Last of the Breed is a documentary film about the life and music of Evans, telling his story through interviews with those who knew him. It is produced by Matthew Pellowski, with Tom T. Hall as an associate producer. The project is in the fundraising phase.
Discography
Solo albums
1982: A Few More Seasons (Rebel)
1997: Just Look At Me Know (Neon) reissued in 2003 by Rebel
1998: High Waters (Neon) reissued in 2003 by Rebel
2000: Bad Moon Shining (Rebel)
2001: Hang Out A Light For Me (Rebel)
2007: Pretty Green Hills (Rebel)
As a member of Dave Evans and River Bend
1979: Dave Evans And River Bend: Highway Fifty Two (Vetco) with River Bend
1980: Call Me Long Gone (Vetco) with River Bend
1981: Goin' Round This World (Rebel) with River Bend
1983: Poor Rambler (Rebel) with River Bend
1984: Bluegrass Memories (Rebel) with River Bend
1985: Close To Home (Rebel) with River Bend
Collaborations
1980: Playing it Simple (Vetco) Josh Graves with Dave Evans, Buddy Griffin, and David Pinson
1984: Don't Let Me Cross Over (Rutabaga) as Emma Smith and Dave Evans
Compilations
2008: The Best of the Vetco Years (Rebel)
With Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers
1974: The Footsteps of Tradition (King)
1974: Portrait of a Fiddler (Old Homestead) with Joe Meadows
1975: Pickin' & Singin''' (Pine Tree)
1982: Dark Hollow (Rebel)
1983: The Testing Times (Rebel)
As composer
1978: Raintree - Wind in the Mountains (Green Mountain) - track 9, "Highway 52"
1985. Delia Bell and Bill Grant - A Few Dollars More (Rounder) - track 1, "Foggy Mountain Home"
Also appears on
1983: Ralph Stanley and Friends - Live at the Old Home Place (Rebel)
2007: Jim Lauderdale - The Bluegrass Diaries (Yep Roc)
2011: various artists - Let the Light Shine Down: A Gospel Tribute to Bill Monroe (Rebel) - track 13, "Mansions For Me"
Documentaries
TBD: Last of the Breed: The Dave Evans Story'' (Red Line Studios)
References
External links
1950 births
2017 deaths
American bluegrass musicians
American country banjoists
Burials in Kentucky
Country musicians from Ohio
People from Portsmouth, Ohio