Tedeschi Trucks Band Welcomes Back Ephraim Owens & Reunites With Former Drummer In Austin

Thursday was a special night for the Tedeschi Trucks Band as they were joined by a pair of old friends during their first of two shows at Austin’s Moody Amphitheater. Trumpeter Ephraim Owens and drummer J.J. Johnson made their first appearances with the group since July of 2024 and January of 2022, respectively.

Dallas native and current Austin resident Ephraim Owens has been on hiatus from touring with Tedeschi Trucks Band for the past nine months while dealing with health issues. Owens revealed in February that he has “been managing a heart condition that’s required” him to “step back and focus on [his] recovery.”

Emmanuel Echem held down the trumpet role to start 2025 after Justin Johnson filled in for Owens over the last half of 2024. Ephraim Owens was in his usual spot throughout Thursday’s concert. It remains to be seen if the Texan will resume touring with the TTB following the Austin run.

J.J. Johnson (not to be confused with trumpeter Justin Johnson) was one half of the Tedeschi Trucks Band double drum attack with Tyler “Falcon” Greenwell from 2010 through 2020. Johnson, who hails from Austin by way of San Antonio, departed Tedeschi Trucks Band during the pandemic. Isaac Eady replaced Johnson once the group returned to full strength after the COVID pause.

Tedeschi Trucks Band brought out J.J. Johnson to pair with “Falcon” on “Get Out Of My Life, Woman” on January 7, 2022 in New Orleans. J.J. Johnson sat-in for Eady on the band’s “I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free)” finale last night in Austin.

Susan Tedeschi fronted the 12-piece ensemble she co-leads with husband Derek Trucks on the first “Woman To Woman” in 77 shows to open the Austin run. Originals “Just As Strange,” “Emmaline,” “Circles ‘Round The Sun,” “Yes We Will” and “I Want More” each saw their 2025 debuts last night. Tedeschi Trucks Band also offered their first covers of Bruce Springsteen’s “State Trooper,” John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery,” the Grateful Dead’s “Sugaree” and Jeff Beck’s “Bolero” of the year on Thursday in Austin along with the aforementioned “I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free).”

Watch fan-captured footage of Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Thursday night concert in Austin below:

Setlist (via TTBase.net)

Set: Woman To Woman, Do I Look Worried, Just As Strange, Emmaline, Let The Good Times Roll, Circles ‘Round The Sun > Pasaquan, State Trooper, Anyhow, Part Of Me, Midnight in Harlem, Yes We Will, Angel From Montgomery > Sugaree, I Want More > Beck’s Bolero

Encore: Crazy Cryin’, I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free)[1]

[1] w/ J.J. Johnson on drums

Note:

– Ephraim Owens back in the lineup for his first show since 7/31/24. Welcome Back Ephraim!!!