Rascal Flatts are currently out on their Rewind Tour with special guests Sheryl Crow and Gloriana, and Joe Don Rooney says picking the right opening acts is a crucial part of any good tour. For one, the entire package has to be entertaining, but also he says, “I remember in the 80’s, when I was a kid, I went and saw this group Aerosmith. Pretty good band. And they had this young artist named Bryan Adams that was openin’ up for ‘em. It was like; wow, I got to see Bryan Adams for the first time and he went on to be a mega-star, but I went to a Aerosmith concert not knowing he was gonna be openin’ up, or who he was. So, I think the experience and the package is very important.”

Unfortunately Rascal Flatts had to cancel their shows this weekend because Gary LeVox is suffering from an unforeseen illness. It’s very rare for them to ever cancel a show, so to cancel three was definitely a difficult but necessary decision. Their latest song, “Payback,” is top 30 and climbing.

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Rascal Flatts – openers important :24
Joe Don Rooney – “I think it’s the experience too, the package, is very important. I remember in the 80’s, when I was a kid, I went and saw this group Aerosmith. Pretty good band. And they had this young artist named Bryan Adams that was openin’ up for ‘em. It was like; wow, I got to see Bryan Adams for the first time and he went on to be a mega-star, but I went to a Aerosmith concert not knowing he was gonna be openin’ up, or who he was. So, I think the experience and the package is very important.”

WHAT THEY’RE DOING THIS WEEK – AUGUST 11, 2014 – MONDAY 

Lead singer Gary LeVox had some vocal problems last week and Rascal Flatts had to cancel shows in Nampa, Idaho at the Idaho Center on Thursday (8/7), Airway Heights, Washington at the Northern Quest Resort & Casino on Friday (8/8) and in Mission, British Columbia, Canada on Saturday (8/9) at the Rockin’ River Music Festival. Jay DeMarcus said, “It is incredibly difficult to make the decision to cancel shows and disappoint our loyal fans who have been so good to us over the years… We promise to return as soon as we can and give our fans the best show possible!” The trio’s show in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday (8/15) is still on the books to play out.

RASCAL FLATTS – JUST THE FACTS

MEMBERS: Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney

BIRTHDATES: Gary – July 10, 1970 (He’s 44) Jay – April 26, 1971 (He’s 43)  Joe Don – September 13, 1975 (He’s 38)

HOMETOWN / ORIGIN: Columbus, Ohio (Gary and Jay) Picher, Oklahoma (Joe Don)

WIVES: Gary’s wife’s name is Tara. Jay’s wife’s name is Allison. Joe Don’s wife’s name is Tiffany.

CHILDREN: Gary has two daughters, Jay has a daughter and a son and Joe Don has a girl and a boy with a baby on the way.

DEBUT SINGLE: “Prayin For Daylight” in 2000.

DEBUT ALBUM: Rascal Flatts released on 2000.

CURRENT ALBUM: Rewind  RELEASED: March 4, 2014

CURRENT SINGLE: “Payback” sits in the top 30 on the Country Aircheck chart this week.

GRAND OLE OPRY DEBUT: In 2000. They were made members of the Grand Ole Opry on October 8, 2011.

LATEST MUSIC VIDEO – 2014 – “Rewind”

RECENT TWEETS:

Rascal Flatts @rascalflatts     ·   August 8
Have you heard our new single “Payback”? Stream it on @Spotify here: http://bit.ly/1pGK02i

Rascal Flatts @rascalflatts     ·   August 7
#Happy Thursday! Doing a little rehearsing before a show the other week: http://youtu.be/TIeLeHTFUvo

Rascal Flatts @rascalflatts     ·   August 6
We regret to inform u that due to an unforeseen illness with Gary, 3 upcoming concerts have been cancelled. Details: http://bit.ly/1knfZFL

RASCAL FLATTS – AWARD WINS

2000 – Academy of Country Music – Top New Vocal Duo Or Group (presented 2001)

2002 – Country Music Association – Horizon Award

2002 – Academy of Country Music – Song of the Year (“I’m Movin’ On”) (presented 2003)

2002 – Academy of Country Music – Top Vocal Group (presented 2003)

2003 – CMT Flameworthy – Video Music Award for Group/Duo of the Year (“These Days”)

2003 – Country Music Association – Vocal Group of the Year

2003 – Academy of Country Music – Top Vocal Group (presented 2004)

2004 – CMT Flameworthy – Music Video Award for Group/Duo of the Year (“I Melt”)

2004 – Country Music Association – Vocal Group

2004 – Academy of Country Music  – Top Vocal Group (presented 2005)

2005 – CMT Music Award – Group/Duo of the Year (“Feels Like Today”)

2005 – Country Music Association – Vocal Group of the Year

2005 – Academy of Country Music – Top Vocal Group (presented 2006)

2005 – Radio Music Award – Song of the Year/Country Radio (“Bless The Broken Road”)

2005 – Billboard – Roadworks ’05 Touring Awards for Breakthrough Act[56]

2006 – CMT Music Award – Group/Duo of the Year (“Skin (Sarabeth)”)[57]

2006 – Country Music Association – Vocal Group of the Year

2006 – American Music Award – Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group

2006 – American Music Award – T-Mobile Text-In Award

2006 – People’s Choice Award – Favorite Song from a Movie (“Life Is A Highway”)

2006 – People’s Choice Award – Favorite Song Remake (“Life Is A Highway”)

2006 – CMT Loaded Awards – Number One Digitally Active Group/Duo

2006 – CMT Loaded Awards – Number One Streamed Music Video (“What Hurts the Most”)

2006 – Grammy Award – Best Country Song (“Bless the Broken Road”); songwriter award

2007 – CMT Music Award – Group Video of the Year (“What Hurts the Most”)

2007 – Academy of Country Music – Top Vocal Group (presented 2008)

2007 – Country Music Association – Vocal Group of the Year

2007 – American Music Award – Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group

2007 – BMI – Song of The Year (“What Hurts The Most”)

2008 – People’s Choice Awards – Favorite Country Song (“Stand”)

2008 – CMT Music Award – Group Video of the Year (“Take Me There”)

2008 – Academy of Country Music – Top Vocal Group (presented 2009)

2008 – Academy of Country Music – Humanitarian Award

2008 – Country Music Association – Vocal Group of the Year

2008 – American Music Award – Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group

2009 – People’s Choice Award – Favorite Group

2009 – CMT Music Award – Group Video of the Year (“Every Day”)

2010 – Star on the Music City Walk of Fame

2010 – American Country Award – Decade Artist award

2011 – Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award

2011 – CMT Music Award – for Collaborative Video of the Year (“That Should Be Me”)

2011 – Member of the Grand Ole Opry

2012 – CRS 2012 – Artist Humanitarian Award

2012 – Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

2013 – Academy of Country Music – Jim Reeves International Award (presented 2014)