It’s the end of an era for Luke Combs and his longtime friend and guitar player, Rob Williford.
Rob announced on Instagram yesterday that he was stepping away from the band after many years with Luke, as they have played together since pretty much the very beginning of Luke’s career.
They met when Luke was roommates with Rob’s high school science teacher’s son, who connected them in Nashville, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Rob is a North Carolina native just like Luke, and has pretty much been his righthand man on every show and tour any of us have ever been to.
And with Luke gearing up to kickoff a massive world tour this summer, I have to imagine it was a hard decision to make, and Rob shared his thoughts in a lengthy post on Instagram, saying in part:
“For the past decade, I have had the pleasure of playing with my friend.
I still can’t quite wrap my head around it all when I try to step back and reflect on the experience, that started with a couple guys from North Carolina writing songs together and playing ’em for whoever would show up.
I don’t think either of us could have ever dreamed where it would take us, but as for me I know for damn sure, even if I could, I wouldn’t change a thing. It is with a lot of thought and sleepless nights and prayers that I have decided that this year, I will be coming off the road to focus on writing and producing.
I always knew that I would just know – and I know- it’s time. That doesn’t make it one bit easier. I am equally as terrified of the future as I am excited for it.”
He clarified that he doesn’t have plans to go out on his own or anything of that nature, stated that he’s simply “starting a new chapter in life.”
And lastly, he closed by thanking the many people who have been involved in their musical journey thus far, especially his friend, Luke Combs:
“Through the good, the bad, and ugly of this surreal simulation I somethings feel like I’m living in, one person has always had my back. A brother in the truest sense of the word. Luke, I owe you so much, man.
There are no words. I could never thank you enough for your loyalty and you friendship, and for allowing me to be a part of your journey over the years… go kick ass on that world tour.”
Luke left a simple comment, saying it made him emotional reading that and the friends still have “plenty of songs and memories” ahead:
“God dang, that one got me. Love you too buddy. We got plenty of songs and memories ahead of us too.”
Check ’em out playing an acoustic cover of Morgan Wallen’s “The Way I Talk” a few years ago:
