During the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction of the Dave Matthews Band, frontman Dave Matthews made a rare mention of former violinist Boyd Tinsley, who was ousted from the group due to legal troubles.
Tinsley, now 60, was included in the list of inductees on October 19, even though he has not been a member of the band since 2018. As Matthews expressed his gratitude to various individuals, he acknowledged that Tinsley was “not here, obviously,” but conveyed his hopes for Tinsley’s well-being. “Boyd Tinsley, wherever you are, we hope you’re finding the happiness you seek,” Matthews stated.
Tinsley was part of the Dave Matthews Band from its inception in 1992 until his departure in 2018. His exit followed a May 2018 sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him by former bandmate James Frost-Winn. Frost-Winn alleged that from 2015 to 2016, he endured “sexually predatory harassment” from Tinsley. Just before the allegations surfaced, Tinsley announced on social media that he would be taking a break from touring and the band to prioritize “my family & my health.”
In light of the lawsuit becoming public, a representative for the band confirmed to PEOPLE that Tinsley was “no longer a member of the band,” adding, “We are shocked by these disturbing allegations and we were not previously aware of them.”
The day following the lawsuit’s filing, Tinsley issued a statement asserting his innocence. “I will defend myself against these false accusations,” he said. “These accusations have caused embarrassment for my family, my friends, and my fans. I will fight both in and out of court to repair the damage that has been done.”
In 2019, Tinsley and Frost-Winn reached a settlement in the lawsuit, reportedly amounting to $837,000, as reported by Rolling Stone. However, in February 2024, Frost-Winn’s attorneys filed a new suit, alleging Tinsley breached the settlement’s “mutual non-disparagement” clause by posting about the case on social media in 2022. According to court filings cited by Rolling Stone, Tinsley had not mentioned Frost-Winn by name but allegedly described his accuser as a “very troubled and disturbed person.”
In June 2024, Tinsley faced further legal issues when he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after crashing his car in Rio, Virginia, as reported by Billboard, referencing the Albemarle County Police Department and TMZ. A hearing related to the charges was reportedly scheduled for earlier this month.
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