Kris Myers of Umphrey’s McGee is an extremely talented drummer who plays with unparalled energy behind the kit. Myers’ aggressive style has come at a cost as he will soon undergo shoulder surgery that will require him to spend the rest of the year rehabilitating and recuperating. Umphrey’s McGee will move forward with most shows as currently scheduled using four top-shelf drummers filling in for Myers.
Duane Trucks (Widespread Panic), Ben Atkind (Goose), Jeremy Salken (Big Gigantic) and Jason Bonham will each join UM for some upcoming tour dates. Additionally, Umphrey’s McGee guitarist Jake Cinninger and percussionist Andy Farag will help round things out by sliding over to the drum seat for portions of the shows.
Four shows planned for October have been rescheduled for April 2024. UMBowl X at Boston’s House Of Blues will now take place on April 24 – 25, 2024, while the sextet’s two-night stand at Higher Ground in Burlington, Vermont has been moved to April 26 – 27.
Duane Trucks will be behind the kit when Umphrey’s takes the stage at Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, Massachusetts on August 20 for a sold-out show held in celebration of JamBase’s 25th anniversary. The nephew of the late Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks and brother of legendary guitarist Derek Trucks is no stranger to replacing longtime drummers in a pinch as he initially joined Widespread Panic as a fill-in for Todd Nance in late 2014. The announcement came on the eve of Panic’s Fall Tour 2014. Nance returned after a 15-month hiatus for Panic En La Playa 2016 but parted ways with the band permanently a few days later. Trucks stepped into the role on a full-time basis the same day WSP began a celebration of their 30th anniversary.
Umphrey’s will also have Duane Trucks on drums for shows August 17 – 19 and November 30 – December 2. Ben Atkind fills in August 24 – 27 and September 7 – 8 with Jeremy Salken aboard on September 9. Jason Bonham joins UM at the All IN Music & Arts Festival on September 10 in Indianapolis. Myers’ replacement(s) for concerts spanning September 14 – 22 are to be announced.
Read a message from Kris Myers below:
This year has been an incredible journey as we commemorate our 25th year celebration as a successful touring act, and it goes without saying that I am extremely proud of our efforts. Personally, I have grown physically, intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and socially throughout the winding road that is music and touring. The result has been learning the values of self-discipline, self-confidence, the development of team spirit, and humility. And most importantly I have developed a special love for the greatest fans any band can hope to have.
On this note, I have recently had to make an extremely difficult decision after an MRI result that revealed significant wear and tear on my left shoulder rotator cuff. Based on the best medical advice, I will be undergoing full rotator cuff repair surgery to prevent any permanent damage and prepare for many more years to come behind the drums. Unfortunately, I will be recovering for the rest of the year resulting in my absence from further shows in 2023. My bandmates and I have the utmost confidence and assurance that this is the best solution considering the long-term commitment we have to our fans, and I am extremely thankful for that.
I am grateful that I am receiving the love and support needed to navigate through these challenging times. I can’t imagine being on the sideline away from my bandmates, the UM team and all of you for the fall tour. I appreciate your kindness and understanding as I recover. I assure you I will be back next year, stronger and healthier than ever. I love and appreciate you all and please take comfort in knowing that everything will be okay and I’ll be playing again soon with my favorite band. And look out, ‘cause when I come back…my drums will take an epic historic beating like nobody has ever seen before!
