My Morning Jacket Reshuffles Lineup

01/21/2004 7:40 PM, Reuters
Jonathan Cohen

Guitarist Johnny Quaid and keyboardist Danny Cash have exited the Louisville-based rock combo My Morning Jacket.

Quaid, who is the cousin of MMJ frontman Jim James, has been replaced by guitarist Carl Broemel. Cash's duties are being filled by Bo Koster. The change was made in time for MMJ's latest round of touring, which will find the group playing Jan. 21 in Carrboro, N.C.

"Please know that Danny and John are still part of My Morning Jacket's fabric and friendship and where they will be missed dearly, we couldn't be happier for them to take their lives in a direction they're most comfortable with," reads a post on the band's official Web site (http://www.mymorningjacket.com).

"To the fans and comrades all over the world, thanks for letting me and us live this dream, it's all I ever wanted, but now all I want is at home," Quaid wrote on the site. Added Cash, "As much as I love the band and the music we make, it's just not worth sacrificing my home life. So now, everybody wins: the band gets a touring keyboard player/driver/roadie who loves his job and I get to be home in Louisville and spend time with my family and friends and start my own business."

Broemel was the lead guitarist in Bloomington, Ind.-based rock outfit Old Pike and has of late played with Lifehouse, Silvercrush and Joe Firstman.

"Both Carl and Bo came to My Morning Jacket through 'friend-of-a-friend' recommendations and as fans of the music," the site says. "After just a few rehearsals we were a little taken aback as to how well they knew the music and felt about it the same way we all do."

MMJ is touring in support of its 2003 ATO debut, "It Still Moves." The critically acclaimed set has sold 71,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The group will take a break from the road following a Feb. 3 appearance at the NME Awards in London, after which James will tour solo with Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst and M. Ward . MMJ is expected to resume roadwork later in the spring.

Reuters/Billboard