The guys in Rascal Flatts are all great performers and great writers, but if they had to pick their strength they would probably go with performer. Jay DeMarcus says one reason is because, “I think writing a great song’s harder than being a great performer.” Gary LeVox agrees and says, “I think it’s a personal thing. I think each individual’s different and I think if you’re better at one thing than you are at the other, say you’re a great performer and an okay songwriter, I think you work on the thing that you’re not as good at.” Gary says, “For me it would be songwriting.”

While the guys have written plenty of the songs they’ve recorded, their latest single, “Payback,” was written by Aaron Eshuis, Neil Mason and Ryan Hurd.

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Rascal Flatts – better performer or writer :32
Jay – “I think writing a great song’s harder than being a great performer.”
Gary – “I agree, for sure.”
Joe Don – “Well, for some people.”
Jay – “Both is hard for Joe Don.”
Joe Don – “Yeah, both is very difficult for me. I learned from the cousins, who are great at everything.”
Jay – “Thank you, Joe Don. You read that perfectly.”
Gary – “I think it’s a personal thing. I think each individual’s different and I think if you’re better at one thing than you are at the other, say you’re a great performer and an okay songwriter, I think you try to … you work on the thing that you’re not as good at. For me it would be songwriting.”

WHAT THEY’RE DOING THIS WEEK – OCTOBER 20, 2014 – MONDAY 

Last night (10/19), Rascal Flatts performed a special pre-game Carnival LIVE Concert for fans attending the Dallas Cowboys game against the New York Giants. The trio is one of the cruise line’s live acts for 2015. It’s the last show on the books for the guys this year. Meanwhile, Jay has been busy with Fantasy Football on FOX TV.

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: “Payback” sits in the top 21 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 – “Payback”

RECENT TWEETS:

Rascal Flatts @rascalflatts  ·  October 18
Kicking off the @CarnivalCruise tour with a performance at AT&T Stadium tomorrow! Tix info for #CarnivalLive here: http://bit.ly/1sHdWiQ

Rascal Flatts @rascalflatts  ·  October 17
What is your favorite song off of our #REWIND album?
Give it a listen on @YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppo4CaOWFpI&list=TL7ZfAAjhJ5HBQbdDX0XKVTvaaq6Nk1ULl

Rascal Flatts @rascalflatts  ·  October 17
SNL alum has message for Spade, Nolan calls for a forfeit and Liddell plays piano. #FantasyFootballUncensored 8pm ET on @FOXSports1

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)