Ketch & Critter photo courtesy of Justin Wright

So, this podcast is really kind of old news already. Old Crow Medicine Show announced earlier this week that Critter Fuqua, one of its founding members, is rejoining the band, three years after departing. Guitarist/singer Willie Watson is out. When we spoke with Fuqua, he did not discuss this, though when asked, he left open the possibility that he might play music again with the band. He also was open about the reason he left the band in the first place — alcoholism. Fuqua said he has been sober for three years and is studying for an English degree at a small college in Texas.

The occasion for our talk was his show this Sunday at Floyd Country Store with Ketch Secor, Old Crow’s garrulous frontman. The pair began last night on a run of seven shows that will take them from Nashville, Tenn., to their hometown, Harrisonburg. All are sold out, save for last night’s show at The Station, in Nashville, but Fuqua said that the Music City venue doesn’t sell tickets in advance. We’re sure it was packed. Tonight, the pair begins two nights at The Down Home, in Johson City, Tenn., which you might remember from the lyrics of a certain Old Crow song.

“This little reunion, I’m really excited about it,” he said. “It’s kind of come full circle for Ketch and I. We’ve been talking about doing a little tour, back to our old stomping grounds … back to Harrisonburg, where Ketch and I kind of cut our teeth musically.”

Apparently, the circle is rejoined and will remain unbroken for the time being. Old Crow is working on a new record, which the band said through management it is not ready to discuss.