Jeff Austin, a bluegrass mandolinist, singer and songwriter for the Jeff Austin band and formerly for the Yonder Mountain String Band has died.
He was 45 years old.
In an announcement on the Jeff Austin band Facebook page, they said he passed away on Monday after a medical emergency.
CNN reports Austin was born in Chicago and started playing music while at the University of Cincinnati.
CNN says that's where he met banjo player Dave Johnston, with whom he would form the Yonder Mountain String Band in Colorado in 1998.
Austin left the band in 2014, CNN reports, and began his solo career the next year.
Austin leaves behind a wife and three children, according to the Jeff Austin band's Facebook page.
The Yonder Mountain String Band and the Jeff Austin band have performed at nearby events in the Tahoe and northern California areas, such as the Winter Wondergrass Festival, High Sierra Music Festival and Hangtown Music Festival in Placerville.
A fund has been set up through Sweet Relief Musicians to help with medical expenses.
(CNN contributed to this report).
Jeff AustinWinterWonderGrass FestivalHigh Sierra Music FestivalHangtown Music Festival