Home Free‘s lineup is about to change. The all-vocal group reveals that Adam Bastien will start performing with them this weekend, taking the place of Austin Brown, who announced earlier this year that he was leaving Home Free to pursue other interests. Although Brown initially planned on staying with Home Free through the end of their Crazy(er) Life Tour, Home Free now reveals that Bastien will begin performing with them this weekend, which includes a performance at the Grand Ole Opry.
“We’ve got some important updates about the shows this weekend,” Home Free says in a statement shared on social media. “We are excited to make an early welcome to Adam Bastien as he makes his debut performance with Home Free in Lima, OH at Country Rumble Fest on Friday, June 21, 2024 and the next night in Nashville, TN at The Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
“We are very excited for Adam to take the stage with us this weekend and moving forward,” Home Free continues. “We hope some Patrons and all our Home Fries will come out to support him, and welcome him to the Home Free family.”
We’ve got some important updates about the shows this weekend.
We are excited to make an early welcome to Adam…
Posted by Home Free on Tuesday, June 18, 2024
When announcing the arrival of Bastien to replace Brown, Home Free initially said he would be starting with Home Free’s July 31 Grand Ole Opry performance. Since the announcement, Bastien’s start date moved to this week.
Brown and his wife Amberly spoke about his decision to leave Home Free much earlier than anticipated, as part of a recent YouTube Live video.
“I’m leaving earlier than I expected,” Brown explained. “That is the truth. But we’re making the best of it. At some point, we will release a statement to our private community, and maybe that’s all that we’ll ever say on this. But for the time being, that’s all we got. I had an incredible 12 years with Home Free, which is absolutely the truth. I love the Home Fries, so much. You’re a group of folks that I want to forever honor. I’m so grateful for the journey with Home Free that I did have, and my heart’s full.
“And lastly, I also want to say that Adam Bastien is one of the best human beings I have ever met,” he continued. “He is one of the sweetest, most-present people. If you ever get a chance to talk to him one-on-one, he is there. He’s so present with you. If you ever get a chance to talk to Adam Bastien, he is an awesome person. Be kind to him, and know that I have his back in his new role with Home Free, 100 percent.”
Brown previously said he was leaving Home Free to spend more time with Amberly, and explore other creative outlets.
“Life is beautiful, life is long,” Brown told Everything Nash. “We all go through seasons. And for me, it’s a new chapter. It’s a turning of a page. I’m always going to be in Home Free in my heart. And I’m just excited. I’ve got an incredible wife. I want to be home. I want to figure out a way to not be on the road as much these days. I’ve loved it for a decade, and then one day I just realized that I think it’s time for me to slow down.”
Find all of Brown’s music and upcoming shows at AustinBrownMusic.com. All of Home Free’s music and performances can be found at HomeFreeMusic.com.