Rascal Flatts’ latest single, “Back to Life,” has a bit of a reminiscent sound to some of their earlier music in their almost 20-year career. The guys say one of the biggest keys to their success is that they have always remained true to who they are and their musical roots, no matter what the critics said.
Joe Don Rooney says, “We’re not gonna try to be something we’re not. We were raised just like a lot of other Midwesterners were raised, God fearing Christians and growing up in church. These guys sang a lot of gospel music growing up. I dabbled in gospel music growing up as well and obviously bluegrass and country music growing up as well and loved rock and roll … it’s no different than our idols, you know, Dolly Parton, you know, Vince Gill people that push the envelope but yet told their story to the world and didn’t hold back.”
The guys remember early on when they were labeled as pop-country or not country enough, but they just stuck to what was authentic to them. Joe Don says, “That’s what I believe a real artist does. I mean, we’ve been criticized in different ways, early on being too slick or looking like a boy band, you know, which they don’t say too much of that anymore as we get a little older man. A man band now.”
Jay DeMarcus jokes that at this point in their career he almost wishes people would call them a boy band again.
Rascal Flatts recently released a live version of “Back to Life” which was recorded at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. The song is available to stream or download wherever digital music is sold.
Rascal Flatts – God in music :48
Joe Don Rooney – “We’ve just stayed true to how we were raised and that’s all we can do. That’s authentic to us. We’re not gonna try to be something we’re not. We were raised just like a lot of other Midwesterners were raised, God fearing Christians and growing up in church. These guys sang a lot of gospel music growing up. I dabbled in gospel music growing up as well and obviously bluegrass and country music growing up as well and loved rock and roll. I’ve got a rock and roll soul. I’ve got country boots on but it’s no different than our idols, you know, Dolly Parton, you know, Vince Gill people that push the envelope but yet told their story to the world and didn’t hold back. That’s what I believe a real artist does I mean, we’ve been criticized in different ways, early on being too slick or looking like a boy band, you know, which they don’t say too much of that anymore as we get a little older man. A man band now.”
Jay DeMarcus – “I wish they would say it again, now.”