Reel Big Fish trumpet player/backing vocalist Scott Klopfenstein has revealed that he’s leaving the band. Him and his wife are expecting their first child, and he wants to remain home to focus on his family. He released a statement on the band’s website saying,
Dear Friends,
It is with overwhelming mixed emotions that I write this letter to announce my departure from Reel Big Fish. This decision has weighed heavily on the heart and mind of my wife and I. We found out in September that we were pregnant with our first child. A baby girl. We spent many nights debating back and forth over the subject of how to best arrange our lives to create the most safe and comfortable environment for our daughter. After much deliberation, we arrived at the conclusion that there was no way to create the home we envisioned without us both being present, to watch over and participate in the building of that home. Brick by loving Brick. In light of this announcement, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you all for making one of the most important phases of my life as beautiful and rich as anything I have ever known. The man I stand as today is a direct byproduct of all of you wonderful people who have allowed myself and the rest of the guys to be apart of your lives. Those of you who have allowed us to entertain you in an attempt to make real human connections through our music. You all are true blessings in my life and I will never forget all that you have done for the band, my bandmates, my family and for me. I will deeply miss watching you all, as you dance, smile, sweat and sing along. No one could ask for a better group of fans, (fans almost seems like too crass a word to describe you all, but i lack a better word at the moment). Your love and support have always been the fuel that make Reel Big Fish continue to move forward. And when I tell my daughter stories of my time in the band, I will probably become misty eyed, like I am now, when I remember all of your beautiful faces. Please take care of yourselves and those around you. And remember, don’t let your dreams stand waiting in the wings. Invite them center stage. They need to be seen.
Much Love and Respect, Scott Allen Klopfenstein
