In case you didn't see it on the website. Or the Yahoogroup. Or Myspace...
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FLOATING DOWNSTREAM

Dear Friends and Fans of Hot Buttered Rum,

I am writing to let you know of my recent decision to part ways with HBR. This decision was by no means an easy one, nor a sudden one. After a great deal of introspection and band discussion, our separation emerged as the only viable way for everyone involved to move forward.

I want to take this moment to express deepest gratitude to you, the Butter Community, for your infinite love and support. This incredible community has always been as important to me as the music itself. You, more than anything, have allowed and encouraged me to pour my heart and soul into HBR, and you have given me great hope that people can make the world a better place. For this I offer sincere thanks.

If you feel sadness, I empathize with you over what is being lost -- the unique synergy between the five of us was indeed magic. But certainly music and magic live on. I hope you will share in a feeling of excitement for me and for HBR as we journey forward along separate paths. I continue to be an advocate for HBR's success, and eagerly await the new songs that my brothers and their future collaborations will yield.

I also expect this time of change to recharge my own creative reservoir for music and other endeavors. I look forward to channeling many incredible connections into fruitful collaborations.

Further down the road we'll meet again. But for now, this is it, high times...
Zachary Matthews
November 30, 2008

I should love to satisfy all, if I possibly can; but in trying to satisfy all, I may be able to satisfy none. I have, therefore, arrived at the conclusion that the best course is to satisfy one's own conscience and leave the world to form its own judgment, favorable or otherwise.
Mohandas K. Gandhi