Lastly he said that it's because of the fans that the band is where it is today and he thanked us all.

(It's rumored that Anthony Cole from the Legendary JC's will be taking over the sticks.)

Maybe he's getting a better gig?

Thanks for joining. I'm still building the site, and it's still building traffic. We'll have this thing jumping in just a little while longer.

Now...on to the most serious matter at hand: the Mofro drummer. My wife and I just got back from the Wanee Fest last night and what an awesome 2 days. We were right up front for Mofro (pics still to be posted...gimme a couple days) and the new drummer, Anthony Cole (AC to his friends and fans) was warmly welcomed.

I'll share more about the show and AC on my blog in another day or 2.

I will tell you this: I've been doing research on AC (so ya'll don't have to; isn't that what part of a fan site is supposed to do? Fuck man, I dunno, I've never done this before)and he apparently is the nephew of Nat King Cole. Yes, THAT Nat King Cole (how many are there?) (I guess that makes him and Natalie Cole cousins.) He also is an excellent keyboard and sax player and has been performing onstage since he was 3.

Meanwhile, back to George...When I told my wife a couple weeks back about George leaving, she damn near came to tears, and truth be told me too. We had gotten to know George a little bit over the past year or so, chatting with him before and after shows where we could. He's a very warm-hearted individual.

Looking back on the 4-show gig through Florida in February, knowing what I know now, he knew about it then. I've got several reasons for saying this, and for those who really give a shit e me at clay@mofrofans.com and I'll share my "deductive reasoning."

I agree, too, that his playing has been so integral to Mofro, and he's been a part of the band for so long.

But it is true that JJ brings in other studio musicians on records, and you're dead on SanFranDon that Mofro is whoever JJ puts together.

Art and Dennis have been the best thing that ever happened to their live performances. Having horns adds the further element of soul their live performances lacked, and Art and Dennis have a ball with their improvised dance steps. (Art says "...choreographed hell, we're trying to outdo each other and fuck the other one up...") So they're fun to watch--which I think was needed.

I never saw them when Fabrice was in the band but have heard several live performances, and have heard about his stage presence. I think some fans were a little disgruntled when he left, but if they ain't been won back over, fuck 'em, we don't want them then. Let 'em die listening to Neil fucking Sedaka.

SwampCracka, I agree with you. The question is, why didn't George stay with the band longer? This new record could be "the one."

Thusly, here are my theories for why he left:

A) He's tired of the tour grind. George has "been on the bus" since he got out of high school, and now at near 40 he's weary of it. (He toured with Sha Na Na in his 20s and has been with a lot of bands before Mofro).

B) The above plus his impending marriage. He and Sara are getting married later this year/early next year and maybe they want to "settle down."

C) He doesn't seem to have a better gig. If you go to his website he's playing Memphis gigs with a local band. So why would you leave when a new Mofro album is coming out? Maybe he asked for a larger cut. Maybe he figured that he deserved a larger share, for whatever reasons he had. Maybe he gave them an ultimatum.

D) Quite possibly, he was asked to leave. Could be several reasons; maybe he wasn't fitting in anymore. Maybe he had some strong opinions about the new songs that didn't set well with JJ.

I ain't gonna say that JJ has a temper, let' just say he's strong-willed about what he wants.

Who knows for sure, but I'll tell you that it felt right with AC there...the guys were having fun.

I counted 11 mics from tapers there, so I'm sure if not already, the set will be up on archive.org soon. Look for the one from Big John, if there are more than one.

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MofroFan1

Bummed for two reasons:

Obviously for the vibe that Mofro had going with George but also because this partly explains the break the JC's announced they are taking.

I saw the first show AC played with them (Wanee) in April and he was good, but you could tell George was gone. But according to Danny Owen, the former (and hopefully again this fall) tour manager, he saw them last Friday night and said AC is now busting loose. Well, actually here's a quote straight from Danny: "A Cole has just come into the fold so much more. Not holding back. He was sick. Band was super duper tight...Im scared to see what happens when the new material starts getting busted out at the end of the summer."

AC is the drummer on all the songs on the upcoming album.

It was sure a shocker to hear George was gone; but I think JJ made one helluva decision picking AC...he's one talented cat.

Too true AC is a great player. Anyone who hasn't heard any JC's material should run out and pick up some of that stuff.

Quite a few of us in Cent Fla have seen AC play with the JCs and love him! Hope you've seen the bio page I put up for him so people can get to know him a little better.

I think his diversity in genres and that he is an excellent multi-instrumentalist is what surprises people most. Geez---Sam Rivers!!

I am VERY excited for those who've not yet seen AC perform with the band. He LOVES his work, it shows, and he indeed has an infectious energy, and smile!
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MofroFan1