Joy Williams and John Paul White, aka the country-folk duo known as The Civil Wars, have announced they are to “permanently part ways” after an extended hiatus.
Of course, the split — which the Grammy-award winning musicians announced on their website on Tuesday — doesn’t come as much of a surprise. In late 2012, the two abruptly halted their tour, citing “internal discord and irreconcilable differences of ambition.” What’s more, upon the release of their self-titled sophomore album in June, 2013, Williams was the only band member to make press appearances, while White stayed out of the limelight.
Each musician offered their own messages about the split in their announcement, with Williams writing, “I am saddened and disappointed by the ending of this duo, to say the very least. JP is a tremendous musician, and I will always be grateful for the music we were able to create together.” Meanwhile White refrained from mentioning his former musical partner, saying simply, “I would like to express sincere thanks to all who were a part of the arc of The Civil Wars—from the beginning, to the end, and all points in between.”
As a parting “gift” to fans, the two are offering a free download of their sorrowful rendition of “You Are My Sunshine,” which is available on their site.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- The Revolution of Yulia Navalnaya
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- What's the Deal With the Bitcoin Halving?
- If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com