Dave Matthews Gives Nod to Former Bandmate Boyd Tinsley at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction After Violinist's Legal Troubles

Dave Matthews offered a rare shout-out to his namesake band’s former violin player Boyd Tinsley as the Dave Matthews Band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, years after Tinsley was removed from the group amid legal trouble.

Tinsley, 60, was included in the line-up of Dave Matthews Band inductees on Oct. 19, despite the fact that he has not been a member since 2018.

As he rattled off a list of people he wanted to thank, Matthews, 57, noted that Tinsley was “not here, obviously,” but that he hoped he was doing well.

“Boyd Tinsley, wherever you are, we hope you’re finding the happiness you seek,” Matthews said.

Tinsley played violin for the popular rock group from 1992 until his departure in 2018. In May 2018, a sexual harassment suit was filed against Tinsley by a former bandmate.

Former Crystal Garden trumpet player James Frost-Winn sued Tinsley that year, claiming that from 2015 to 2016, he faced “sexually predatory harassment” from the musician. Just before the allegations became public, Tinsley, a father of two, announced on social media that he was taking “a break” from touring and from the Dave Matthews Band to “focus on my family & my health.”

Once the suit became public, a rep for the band confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement that Tinsley was “no longer a member of the band.”

“We are shocked by these disturbing allegations and we were not previously aware of them,” the statement said.

The day after the suit was filed, Tinsley released a statement maintaining 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 settled the lawsuit, with the parties agreeing to an $837,000 settlement, according to Rolling Stone. But in February 2024, lawyers for Frost-Winn reportedly filed a new suit, claiming Tinsley had breached the settlement’s “mutual non-disparagement” clause by posting about the case on social media in 2022.

Rolling Stone, citing screen grabs submitted as evidence with court filings, reported that Tinsley had not mentioned Frost-Winn by name, but had allegedly called his accuser a “very troubled and disturbed person” on social media.

Then in June 2024, Tinsley was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after he crashed his car in Rio, Va., according to Billboard citing Albemarle County Police Department and TMZ. A hearing was reportedly set to take place earlier this month.