Shonna Tucker Leaves Drive-By Truckers

BASSIST SHONNA TUCKER LEAVES THE TRUCKERS

Shonna Tucker

Bassist Shonna Tucker has announced her departure from Drive-By Truckers. Tucker joined the band in 2003 and performed on every studio album from 2004’s The Dirty South through 2011’s Go-Go Boots. She also performed upright bass on “Sounds Better In The Song” off 2003’s Decoration Day. Read her full statement below posted on DriveByTruckers.com, along with a statement from Patterson Hood.

Statement from Shonna Tucker

“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”

Statement from Patterson Hood

“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“