In a posting on Bonamassa's Official Message Board, Bowles issued the following statement :
"Hi Everyone, I just wanted to let you all know that I have decided not to come back next year. It has been an amazing five year run with Joe and everyone. It was full of great music, wonderful places, and all of you fantastic fans! I will certainly never forget it. I feel the time is right for me to move on with things personally and professionally and I'm very excited about a new future and new direction. The road has been great but I have grown tired of the lifestyle that goes with it.
I spoke with Joe after the gig in Ft. Myers and we had a great talk about everything and I'm certainly leaving on good terms. On the bus we all had some great laughs about our history together and all the times in new places and things like that. I went from the Martini Ranch in Phoenix to The Royal Albert to The Carre and all points in between. Bahrain, Israel, India, Japan, Australia, all over the US and Europe, Moscow, these are the places I got to go with this band while we were together. It has been a great ride. Thank you all so much for the love and support you've given me during my tenure here, it meant the world to me. Have a wonderful holiday season and a great New Year.
You all have my love, respect, and gratitude,
Bogie"
No replacement for Bowles has been announced as of yet. Prior to joining Bonamassa the drummer was a member of Kenny Wayne Shepherd's touring band, spending a year touring the U.S with the guitarist. He also appeared as a percussionist on former Black Sabbath vocalist Ozzy Osbourne's 'Prince Of Darkness' boxset which was released in 2005.
