Whitehall Fans!

WHITEHALL WELCOMES NEW BANDMATE
Access Tonight from Hollywood, CA

In a press release issued this morning, Monarch Records confirmed the rumors circulating for the past several weeks concerning the lineup of its flagship act, Whitehall.

"Whitehall and Monarch Records are sad to announce the departure of Danny Bourne from the band, effective immediately," reads the release, "due to creative differences and a shared desire for Danny to work on his personal life without the distraction of touring and recording." Rumors have been swirling on all the major gossip blogs that Bourne has been showing up to rehearsals and even performances inebriated and unable to play, though Monarch Records has officially denied this in the past.

"We are proud to announce that musician and old friend of the remaining members of Whitehall, Tony Knivert will be joining the band as bassist on a permanent basis," continues the release. Not much is known about Knivert, but the tone of the press release is specific that he is a good friend of both lead singer/guitarist/primary songwriter Henry "King" Tudor and drummer Charles Brandon. The unstated implication seems to be that Knivert won't be causing the kind of friction with Brandon and Tudor that Bourne allegedly caused.

Access Tonight caught up with "King" as he exited his favorite rock star-catering clothing shop on Melrose Avenue and asked him about the shakeup. "It was a difficult call," said Tudor, "but everyone agreed that it was in Danny's best interests. We wish him the best, and Charles and I can't be happier to welcome our old friend to the band. We start working on the next album after New Year's."

Tudor hardly looked or sounded like the sex-crazed egomaniac hinted at in some of Danny Bourne's interviews while still with the band. Bourne could not be reached for comment at the time of this article, but it is likely he will be making some sort of statement soon.