Yesterday, bassist Shonna Tucker announced her departure from the Drive-By Truckers in a note posted on the band’s official website. Tucker will be replaced by Athens scene fixture and DBT family member David Barbe at the group’s upcoming NYE run and Athens Homecoming performances. When bassist Earl Hicks left the Truckers in 2003, Tucker got the call and has since played over 1,000 shows with the Georgia-based rockers and lent her skills to some of their best studio efforts including The Dirty South and A Blessing and A Curse.
[Photo by Danny Clinch]
Both Tucker and DBT front man Patterson Hood released statements yesterday. Neither went into much detail about the reasons for Shonna’s departure, but seemed to wish each other well. Tucker won’t be leaving the industry and notes that she plans to get a website up soon. Her voice and bass work added an element to the Truckers’ sound that will be hard to replace.
Here’s both Shonna Tucker’s and Patterson Hood’s statements…
Hello friends,
Unfortunately, I come to you all with some sad news.
It’s time for me to move on to the next great thing, whatever that may be.
I want to thank each and everyone of you, with my whole heart for your overwhelming kindness and support over the years. You are the greatest fans in the world! You really do amaze and inspire me. I can’t express how much you all mean to me. Your rock solid encouragement has carried me through, many nights. I have been so lucky to have had the chance to meet and talk with so many of you. Your stories and passion are so incredibly inspirational to me.
I am, without a doubt, not done. I will have a website up and running very soon so that we can keep in touch. I have a whole lot left to say and do, and I can’t wait to hear what all of you are up to. This is very difficult, so I’ll leave you with this… for now…
Thank you all so much!
Safe travels and Happy Holidays to you all!
See you soon somewhere…
All my love,
Shonna
Patterson Hood’s Statement About Shonna Leaving the Band
Y’all:
As word starts to spread, we have to confirm that Shonna Tucker has left Drive-By Truckers.
We all love and respect her and wish her all of the best in everything she sets out for.
Shonna joined the band the last week of 2003 and has played on some of our best recordings.
She logged in over 1000 shows and was also a major part of our records with Bettye LaVette and Booker T. Jones.
Her charm and spark will be irreplaceable and her part in our last decade of this band’s history is indisputable.
We will share in our fans missing of her.DBT does plan to carry on and continue forward.
We have major shows planned for New Years Eve weekend as well as our 40 Watt / Nuci’s Space / Athens Homecoming.
We have long been planning on doing less touring in this next year but do intend to begin recording our next album at some point in the not too distant future.David Barbe will be playing bass in our upcoming shows. He has been part of the DBT family since 2000.
We appreciate our fans and supporters and your caring and concern.
Decisions like this are not made lightly so we ask that you respect all parties in regards to our privacy in this matter. Everyone involved deeply cares for each other.Love and Rock,
Patterson
