[ Courtesy of Yonder’s Facebook ]
The festival circuits favorite bluegrass act Yonder Mountain String Band has announced their first tour of 2014. The tour will be unique as it will be without their mandolinist Jeff Austin, who is expecting his first child in January. Instead, Ronnie McCoury and Jason Carter of the Travelin’ McCourys. Jeff Austin has released a statement about missing the tour.
Hello, friends…Jeff Austin here…just taking a minute to write and let you know of a few things coming up.In late January 2014, my incredible wife and I are going to be welcoming the newest addition to our family into the world…a beautiful baby girl…an experience that we are both as excited about as new parents can be. This event also happens to coincide with the first Yonder Mountain tour of 2014. After much thought and a final decision by all parties involved, I wanted you all to know that I won’t be able to be a part of that tour. Nothing in this world is bigger in life than family…and in this case, not even the music I love so dearly.Joining the band on that tour will be my brothers in life and music, The Travelin’ McCourys. I am humbled that some of my mentors will be taking up the reins and making music in my absence with the band I’ve given so much of my life to. Whereas I will miss feeding off the energy of all you incredible fans each night…getting to hear reports of them adding new life and energy to the music of Yonder Mountain is something I will relish in hearing from afar.I want you to know that this decision was not something taken lightly. My family and I appreciate not only your understanding, love, and support during this time, but your confidence that this isn’t only the right decision to make…it is the only decision to make.Dance hard, spread love, and give every single bit of your incredible energy to those musicians who will take my place. Show them what you are made of, Kinfolk.Much lovejAustin
aaaand here are the dates:
1/22 – Lexington, KY @ Buster’s # 1/23 – Covington, KY @ Madison Theater # 1/24 – Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works # 1/25 – Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle # 1/29 – Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall # 1/30 – Jacksonville, FL @ Freebird Live # 1/31 – Ft. Lauderdale,FL @ Revolution # 2/1 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live # 2/5 – Charleston, SC @ Music Farm # 2/6 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel # 2/7 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel # 2/8 – Knoxville, TN @ Tennessee Theatre 2/11 – Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theater # 2/13 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue 2/14 – Columbus, OH @ LC Pavilion 2/15 – Madison, WI @ Orpheum Theater 2/16 – Urbana, IL @ Canopy Club # # – with The Travelin’ McCourys
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