Benjamin Mize drummed in San Fransisco-based Counting Crows between 1994-2003. Previously Ben Mize drummed in Cracker. Mize joined the Crows in 1994 when fouding member and original drummer Steve Bowman decided to depart to join Third Eye Blind.



Late 2003 Mize decided to leave the band too. He explained in an official statement:

"After a very long deliberation, years in fact, I have decided to leave the band in order to be at home with my wife as we start our family.



did everything I could to endure being away from home and be happy with being on the road, but have ultimately decided I'm not cut out for the level of touring our band needs to thrive.



So, I've made the difficult, and somewhat sad decision to go home to Georgia, be with my family, and see what the future outside of the band holds."

Mize was replaced by Jim Bolgois, who previously toured with Sheryl Crow.