Ryan ‘Troop’ Jones, Longtime LoCash Cowboys Band Member, Passes Away

Condolences to the LoCash Cowboys and the friends and family of their longtime band member, Ryan Jones, who passed away on Wednesday, October 19.

Jones, who was known as "Troop" by many of his friends and fans, joined the LoCash Cowboys' band back in 2005 as their fiddle, mandolin and acoustic guitar player. Troop was forced to come off the road this past July when he was admitted to a Nashville hospital with a life-threatening ulcer, followed by contracting pneumonia, which led to other complications.

"Today is a sad day in the Locash World," the band tweeted on Wednesday morning. "We lost Ryan "Troop" Jones ... our Brother & our Best Friend. Our thoughts & prayers go out to his family. TROOP WILL LIVE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS."

Jones was trained as a classical violinist at the age of three. His transition to the country fiddle style at the age of 16 prepared him for the country music scene. Prior to linking up with the LoCash Cowboys, Troop played with various other acts, including Brian McComas, Wade Hayes and Jeff Carson. Troop met the LoCash Cowboys in 2005 when they played at Nashville's famed Tootsie's Orchid Lounge before becoming their full-time band member in early 2006.

Watch Ryan "Troop" Jones Perform With the LoCash Cowboys