From left: Brian Bandas, Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles

Love and Theft's Brian Bandas will leave the band after the trio's New Year's Eve show in Chesapeake, Va. Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles will continue as a duo.

"Being part of Love and Theft has been an amazing experience, so to make the decision to leave was incredibly difficult," Brian tells Country Weekly via e-mail. "Eric and Stephen are like family to me and always will be and their support for my decision has been overwhelming."

Brian, who married Kelly Barons in September, will continue to write songs and operate his recently launched T-shirt venture, Holy Vintage.

The trio, which is best known for touring with Taylor Swift in 2008 and for their hit "Runaway," will perform on the Grand Ole Opry on Dec. 3.

Their record label, Lyric Street, closed earlier this year.