Patterson Hood has confirmed the rumors regarding the departure of Shona Tucker from the Drive-By Truckers. The bassist first joined the group in 2003, stepping in for Earl Hicks just prior to the release of The Dirty South. Longtime DBT producer David Barbe, who has appeared on bass and guitar with the group over the years, will step in for the band’s New Year’s run. The Truckers’ Patterson Hood has released the following statement regarding the situation. He writes:

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