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.[3] 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."[1]

Dave Evans
Birth nameWilliam Evans[1]
Born(1950-07-24)July 24, 1950
Portsmouth, Ohio
DiedJune 25, 2017(2017-06-25) (aged 66)[2]
Morehead, Kentucky
GenresBluegrass music
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsBanjo
Years active1968–2010
LabelsVetco, Rebel
Associated actsEarl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys, Larry Sparks, Dave Evans and The River Bend, Melvin Goins

Biography

Early years

Evans grew up in Columbus, Ohio.[3] At age eight, Evans was introduced to the banjo by his father[4] 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.[5]

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.[5][6]

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.[5]

Later life

After an interruption due to time served for an assault conviction from 1989-1995,[3] Evans resumed his music career in 1997, recording albums for Neon Records and Rebel.[7] In 2010, Evans announced his retirement from touring due to health issues[8] 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.[9]

Discography

Solo Albums
  • 1982: A Few More Seasons (Rebel)[10]
  • 1997: Just Look At Me Know (Neon) reissued in 2003 by Rebel[11]
  • 1998: High Waters (Neon) reissued in 2003 by Rebel[12]
  • 2000: Bad Moon Shining (Rebel)
  • 2001: Hang Out A Light For Me (Rebel)
  • 2007: Pretty Green Hills (Rebel)[13]

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 Year's (Rebel)[14]

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)
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References
  1. "William "Dave" Evans". Journal-Times.
  2. "Dates: Birth & Death". BluegrassBios. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  3. Johnson, Lee (November 4, 2013). "Will You Carry On". Oxford American. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  4. "Popular bluegrass musician takes stage at Appalshop". The Coalfield Progress. December 30, 2008. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  5. Lawless, John (June 26, 2017). "Daves Evans passes". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  6. Penny Parsons (June 1, 2009). "The Many Hats of Melvin Goins". Bluegrass Unlimited. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  7. Joe Ross (April 20, 2015). "Album Review of Pretty Green Hills: Dave Evans". Roots Music Report. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  8. "Dave Evans announces retirement from heavy touring". Country Standard Time. October 14, 2010. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  9. Lawless, John (July 17, 2014). "Last of the Breed in the stretch run". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  10. Joyce, Mike (January 14, 1983). "Redemption, Bluegrass Style". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  11. Brad San Martin. "Dave Evans: Just Look At Me Now, High Waters". Country Standard Time. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  12. Art Menius (January 1, 1999). "Review Dave Evans High Waters". Art Menius. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  13. Maria Morgan Davis (December 16, 2007). ""Pretty Green Hills" by Dave Evans". The Lonesome Road Review. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  14. Larry Stephens. "Dave Evans: The Best of the Vetco Years". Country Standard Time. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
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