After a successful six-year run, Sherman Downey and The Ambiguous Case have decided to call it quits.

Members of the band from the province's west coast have mostly gone their separate ways, with Downey planning to pursue a solo career.

He said economics makes it hard for full bands to land gigs.

"Quite often you get venues or festivals who are looking for acts on their bill, and if it is a full band, and they can't afford the band, then they often pass over for smaller acts," Downey told CBC News.

Two years ago, the Corner Brook group won the top prize in the CBC Music Searchlight competition, edging nearly 3,000 other entries from across Canada.

One of the prizes was $20,000 in music equipment courtesy of Yamaha Canada Music.

Downey said he already has some solo shows lined up in British Columbia this summer.

He added the band might still get together for gigs, should the right opportunity come along.