Banjo Player Frank Evans Releases Tribute to Roger Miller

Evans' debut solo single "T.J.'s Last Ride" pays homage to the country music legend.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Banjo player and vocalist Frank Evans has released the first single from his debut solo album, a cover of Roger Miller's "T.J.'s Last Ride". Evans, a former member of the Canadian bluegrass group Slokan Ramblers, says he's been a lifelong fan of Miller and wanted to include a tribute to the country music icon on his new record.

Why it matters

Frank Evans is an up-and-coming bluegrass artist who is branching out from his work with the Slokan Ramblers to release his first solo material. Covering a classic Roger Miller song shows Evans' reverence for country music history and his ability to put his own spin on a beloved tune.

The details

Evans recorded "T.J.'s Last Ride" with an all-star band including Casey Campbell on mandolin, Mike Bub on bass, Justin Moses on dobro and tenor, Shad Cobb on fiddle, and Jake Stargel on guitar. The single was captured in just three takes, with Evans aiming to let the song "speak for itself" without overthinking the production.

  • Evans released "T.J.'s Last Ride" on February 12, 2026.

The players

Frank Evans

A banjo player and vocalist from Toronto, now based in Nashville, who recently departed the Canadian bluegrass group Slokan Ramblers to pursue a solo career.

Roger Miller

A legendary country music singer-songwriter known for hits like "King of the Road" and "Dang Me", whose music has been a lifelong influence on Frank Evans.

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What they’re saying

“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 songs. 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.”

— Frank Evans, Banjo Player and Vocalist (bluegrasstoday.com)

What’s next

Evans is currently touring with Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and plans to release his debut solo album later in 2026.

The takeaway

Frank Evans' cover of Roger Miller's "T.J.'s Last Ride" showcases the rising bluegrass artist's reverence for country music history and his ability to put a fresh spin on a beloved classic.