Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts says most people may not know he has more than just a mild fascination with U.S. history. In fact, he would consider himself a huge history buff. Jay says, “I’m really, really into military and U.S. history. I really love reading and collecting pieces of memorabilia from particularly WWII. I’ve collected all of the American infantry weapons from WWII and I’m very, very nostalgic about those eras.”

Some people have called those who served in WWII the “greatest generation,” and Jay says, “I still believe that the WWII generation was the greatest generation and I love studying and reading about all of those incredible people that lived during that time.”

Of course Jay fits his love of history into his busy work schedule, which includes promoting Rascal Flatts’ latest single, “Riot,” and getting ready for their Las Vegas residency, which kicks off February 25th.

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Rascal Flatts – Jay little known fact :28
Jay DeMarcus – “I guess that I’m a huge history buff, but I’m really, really into military and U.S. history. I really love reading and collecting pieces of memorabilia from particularly WWII. I’ve collected all of the American infantry weapons from WWII and I’m very, very nostalgic about those eras. I still believe that the WWII generation was the greatest generation and I love studying and reading about all of those incredible people that lived during that time.”

WHAT THEY’RE DOING THIS WEEK – FEBRUARY 2, 2015 – MONDAY 

Rascal Flatts scored a nomination on Friday (1/30) for Vocal Group of the Year at the ACM Awards, which will be handed out in April. Meanwhile, the guys are rehearsing this week in Nashville for their upcoming Las Vegas residency at The Hard Rock Hotel, which starts later this month.

2015 ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS

Vocal Group of the Year – Rascal Flatts

The 50th Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on April 19 at 8:00 PM ET on CBS.

RASCAL FLATTS – JUST THE FACTS

MEMBERS: Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney

BIRTH DATES: Gary – July 10, 1970 (He’s 44) Jay – April 26, 1971 (He’s 43)  Joe Don – September 13, 1975 (He’s 39)

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: “Riot”

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

LATEST MUSIC VIDEO – 2014 – “Payback”

RECENT TWEETS:

Rascal Flatts @rascalflatts · January 30
So honored and grateful to be nominated!! Thanks to the Academy, and all our Flattheads everywhere!! #ACMawards50

Rascal Flatts @rascalflatts · January 29
“These Days” #tbt http://youtu.be/2MTSBcvI9DI

Rascal Flatts @rascalflatts · January 27
Can’t wait to see all you Flattheads on the road this year! We’re getting our favorite @shureinc mics ready to go! http://youtu.be/o2QtKbhuo5c

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)