Yonder’s Ben Kaufmann Hit With ‘Unexpected Illness,’ Travelin’ McCourys Member To Fill In

Yonder Mountain String Band posted a message informing their fans that founding bassist Ben Kaufmann will miss a handful of shows on the band’s current tour, due to an unexpected illness. Starting with tonight’s show in Manhattan, KS, Kaufmann will be replaced by Alan Bartram of The Travelin’ McCourys.

As Kaufmann explains in the video, he has a condition called a “dissection of the renal artery,” which is impeding blood flow to the kidney. While this is good news in a sense – as it isn’t renal cancer – Kaufmann will be undergoing a procedure tomorrow to repair the renal artery. He’ll be missing at least a handful of tour dates, but is hoping to return to the band’s Austin, TX show by Saturday.

Check out Kaufmann’s personal message to the “kinfolk,” below:

We’re sending our best out to Kaufmann!

Yonder is currently in the midst of a spring tour, and will release their first studio album with Allie Kral and Jake Jolliff next month. Check out their schedule below:

3/24 – Jackson, WY @ Pink Garter Theatre/The Rose*
3/25 – Missoula, MT @ The Wilma Theater*
3/26 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom*
3/27 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre*
3/28 – Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theatre*
3/30 – Arcata, CA @ Van Duzer Theater – Center Arts*
4/1 – Park City, UT @ Park City Live*
4/2 – Reno, NV @ Whitney Peak Hotel*
4/3 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Oakland Theatre*
4/4 – Los Angeles, CA @ House Of Blues Los Angeles*
4/8 – Manhattan, KS @ Wareham Opera House*
4/9 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom*
4/10 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater*
4/11 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s Austin*
4/12 – Fayetteville, AR @ George’s Majestic Lounge*
4/15 – Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theatre*
4/16 – Springfield, MO @ Gillioz Theatre*
4/17 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant*