‘Changes’: Neal Francis Reveals New Touring Guitarist

Keyboardist and singer-songwriter Neal Francis announced a big change to his band. Andy Gabbard has stepped in after Francis’ longtime guitarist Kellen Boersma left the group.

Kellen Boersma performed with Neal Francis for over five years. The Chicago-based guitarist’s last show as a band member came on August 13 at The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, New York. Gabbard joined Francis, bassist Mike Starr and drummer Collin O’Brien starting on September 1 at Seattle’s Bumbershoot festival.

Andy Gabbard is a solo artist and is associated with several bands. In 2019, Cincinnati native Andy Gabbard and his brother Zach Gabbard were recruited by The Black Keys as the band’s touring guitarist and bassist, respectively. The siblings, who have a group of their own using The Gabbard Brothers moniker, have toured with The Black Keys ever since. Andy and Zach were also members of Buffalo Killers and Thee Shams.

Neal Francis enlisted Boersma to join his band shortly after recording his debut solo album, 2019’s Changes. “Some of you may have noticed that Kellen wasn’t present at these past few shows,” Francis wrote on Instagram. “It’s bittersweet to share that Kellen has decided to depart from the band. We wish him love and success in his next chapter.”

Francis introduced Gabbard in an Instagram post shared a few days after announcing Boersma’s departure. “Andy Gabbard has been joining us on the road on guitar,” Francis wrote. “In addition to being an incredible solo artist, Andy is the touring guitarist for The Black Keys. We’re having a great time playing and hanging with him.”

Neal Francis brought the new lineup to Silvertone, Colorado’s Rainbow Park last Friday, September 6. Listen to a soundboard recording of the band’s 90-minute set below: