Founding Bowling for Soup Guitarist Chris Burney Retires

Chris Burney, co-founder and longtime guitarist of Bowling for Soup, has officially stepped away from the band after more than three decades.

The announcement came via the band’s social media on Wednesday, January 22nd, where they confirmed that Burney will not be replaced and that they will continue as a three-piece moving forward.

“It is with a heavy heart we announce that Chris Burney has made the decision to retire from his stage-right post in the band he co-founded in 1994,” the group wrote in a statement shared on social media. “Some recent medical developments, 30 years of rocking balls and touring non-stop have made it difficult to continue. We are bummed to not have Chris by our sides, but absolutely support his decision.

The future of Bowling For Soup remains bright, the three of us will carry on, with Chris’ blessing, and continue to build the legacy of this band we all love so much. We will not be replacing Chris or touring with a touring guitarist. You cannot replace a legend. We were brothers when we started this journey… and brothers we remain.

Formed in 1994 in Wichita Falls, TX, Bowling for Soup was founded by Chris Burney, vocalist/guitarist Jaret Reddick, drummer Lance Morrill, and bassist Erik Chandler. After Morrill’s departure later that year (though he occasionally returned for tours), Chandler exited the group in 2018.

The band began releasing music in 1994, but their breakthrough came in 2002 with Drunk Enough to Dance, featuring the hit single “Girl All the Bad Guys Want.” The track earned them their first Billboard Hot 100 appearance, peaking at No. 64.

Their greatest commercial success followed in 2004 with A Hangover You Don’t Deserve. The album reached No. 37 on the Billboard 200, powered by the massive success of “1985”—a cover of SR-71’s track, released just months prior. “1985” peaked at No. 23 on the Hot 100 and cracked the top ten on both the Adult Pop Airplay and Pop Airplay charts.

Most recently, Bowling for Soup released Pop Drunk Snot Bread in 2022. Throughout late 2024, they toured in celebration of the 20th anniversary of A Hangover You Don’t Deserve. The band will carry that anniversary tour to the U.K. this February, now performing as a trio following Chris Burney’s departure.

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