The Drive-By Truckers are in the midst of a southern tour, including an appearance tonight in Austin. However, the group’s Patterson Hood has just revealed that he cut his left hand after he dropped a bottle while picking up his daughter from first grade (rather than decrying how rock and roll this isn’t, we’d note that perhaps a glass bottle might not be the way to go in this situation). Hood reports that despite his 15 stitches, the shows will indeed go on, however he will focus on vocals. Starting tonight Centro-matic’s Will Johnson will appear on guitar for the next four dates and then Hood notes, “we will have to improvise, but that’s one of the things we do best, so STAY TUNED.”

For more on the Truckers extended family check out Brian Robbins’ conversation with artist Wes Freed over on Jambands.com.

Here is the complete text of Hood’s statement regarding the injury:

Y’ALL:
Last Wednesday, I fell down and cut my hand.
Fifteen stitches in my left palm.
Wish I had a cool story, but I don’t.
The movie version would have me getting cut by a bottle of rot-gut whiskey in a bar fight.
No doubt defending the honor of someone or another.
My heroics bookended by a scene of me carrying my hand for reattachment by a disgraced former surgeon in the back of a grimy tattoo shop because lack of insurance would preclude being seen by a real doctor.
I would be brave and not cry or complain.

Hurling would be out of the question.

Ahh, the movie version.

Unfortunately, the truth is kind of tame, lame even.
I was picking my daughter up at first grade, carrying a bottle of water.
I tripped and fell (in front of her entire class).
I fell, shattering the glass which I then duly landed upon, pushing
shards up into my hand.
My fucking left hand.
Fifteen stitches in my palm.
No biggie. No cut tendons or damaged muscle. Missed that artery (bled like a stuck pig though).
Hurts like hell, but it won’t long and I will be as good as new in a month or less.
Unfortunately, I can’t play guitar for a few weeks and we have a tour beginning this week.

In the words of Three Dog Night, “The show must go on”.
My friend Kevin told me, as I was bleeding all over the playground, awaiting my ride to the Emergency Room, “You guys have too many guitar players anyway.”
Nonetheless, to insure everyone’s Premium Rock and Roll Experience, we have recruited our friend Will Johnson, from Centro-matic to fill in on guitar, covering the SG through a Fender Vibro-King parts.
I will be in full front man mode, on other words, it’s dancing shoes time.
I always wanted to be Phil Mogg, and for the next couple of weeks…

We only have Will Johnson through New Orleans, then we will have to improvise, but that’s one of the things we do best, so STAY TUNED.

So come out to this, hopefully once in a lifetime DBT Show.
We guarantee you a great time and a Premiere Go-Go Extravaganza that you’ll be telling your Grandkids about (maybe sooner than later).

Oh and Bob, the 9th is my son’s birthday and it’s GO TIME.

Long Live Rock and Roll and Country Soul.
Captain Hook
(Patterson Hood)

(or is it Dr. Hook?)