Mark White has commented on his split with Spin Doctors. The bassist, who did not perform with the group at the Hootiefest event last week, recently updated his Instagram profile to read, “Former bass player for the Spin Doctors because I refuse to get vaccinated.”

On January 12, he also posted an image that reads, “Since I refuse to get vaccinated and tested every five seconds, the Spin Doctors don’t want me around.”

The musician co-founded Spin Doctors in 1988 and remained with the group until 1998. White took part in the classic lineup’s reunion in 2001 as part of the closing of New York’s famed Wetlands and continued to tour and record with the ensemble until last year. Since current COVID safety protocols were put in place throughout much of the live-music world this past fall, Jack Daley–who is known for his work with Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul and Lenny Kravitz–has played bass with the group. 

During Spin Doctors’ set at Hootiefest on January 27, longtime collaborator John Popper sat in on “Cleopatra´s Cat,” “About A Train,” “Two Princes” and “Yo Mama´s A Pajama.” The harmonica player, who was at the destination event for a show with Blues Traveler, also appeared with Hootie & The Blowfish on “Desert Mountain Showdown” on January 27 and Cowboy Mouth’s “Maggie Don’t  Two Step” on January 29. (The members of Toad the Wet Sprocket joined the event’s headliners for their own “Walk on the Ocean” on January 29 while Kevn Kinney emerged for his group’s Drivin’ N’ Cryin’.”)

Spin Doctors will perform at Milwaukee, WI’s Potawatomi Hotel & Casino on February 25.