Those who plan to see Keith Urban on his upcoming High and Alive World Tour will see a very different live show than those who attended previous shows. Urban recently made some major changes to the lineup of his road band. He cut bassist Jerry Flowers and multi-instrumentalist Nathan Barlowe. Flowers had been in the band for 25 years and Barlowe joined nearly a decade ago.
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Both Flowers and Barlowe took to social media earlier today (January 10) to announce their departure from the band. Neither gave a reason for Urban’s decision to make such massive changes to the band. Both had nothing but positive things to say about their time in the band.
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Jerry Flowers and Nathan Barlowe Announce Their Departure from Keith Urban’s Band
“It’s with a heavy but very full heart that after 25 years on stage with Keith Urban, Keith has decided to make a lineup change and I will no longer be in the band,” Flowers wrote in his post. “I have and always will have the utmost respect and love for Keith and I treasure the amazing years we had together,” he added. Flowers then thanked the fans for coming to concerts over the years adding, “I hope I was a small part of bringing you joy and happiness thru our shows.”
Fans and fellow artists alike expressed shock, outrage, and well-wishes for the future. Nathan Barlowe commented on the post saying, “Love you, brother.”
Barlowe also made a post about his departure from the band. “Sadly my time with Keith Urban has come to an end. I can’t tell you how thankful I am for the last nine years,” he wrote. “I have loved every second of it and given my all,” Barlowe added. He went on to thank Urban, the fans, and his former bandmates for all of the good times on the road.
Barlowe created an instrument called The Phantom that has been a large part of Urban’s live shows since his Ripcord Tour. There is no word on if Barlowe’s creation will remain part of the band’s arsenal.
“As big as your talent is, your personality is even more impressive. You’re such a good friend and I’ve loved every second on stage with you,” Flowers commented on the post.
Fans React to the News
Several Keith Urban fans flocked to the posts made by Barlowe and Flowers to share their feelings. It seems that none of them are happy about the lineup change. “This is crap,” one fan commented. “Jerry, this is breaking my heart. You are just as much a part of KU as anyone. I go to concerts to see you as much as to see KU. This is horrible news,” another wrote.
“After reading Jerry’s post, I was praying not you too, Nathan. I don’t understand the decisions to change such a beautifully well-oiled machine,” another fan commented. “This change is going to be felt, not just seen and heard. Not able to support this decision,” they added.
Urban has not addressed the decision to cut Flowers and Barlowe from the band at this time.
Featured Image by Tibrina HobsonCBS via Getty Images
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