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What felt right about wrapping things
up at the 20-year mark?
Jay DeMarcus:
“Knowing we were ap-
proaching our 20th anniversary as a band
gave us a moment to reflect. We all decided
that this was also the perfect time to take a
breath and kind of see what is next for us
all of as individuals and as a band.”
Gary LeVox:
“Twenty years is a huge mile-
stone for anything and one we never even
dreamed of reaching!”
How are you hoping to say goodbye to
your fans on this last tour?
Joe Don Rooney:
“We’ve been moving so
fast these past 20 years that we’ve never
really taken the time to go back and touch
on all the amazing memories we’ve had
together. This year is going to be a big cele-
bration of everything we’ve experienced.”
JD:
“It will be a very different show as
we look back on 20 wonderful years and
celebrate our fans and what they’ve meant
to us. While it is bittersweet—and there will
undoubtedly be some sad moments—we
want to leave themwith only the best mem-
ories of what our music has meant to them,
and also leave them knowing howmuch
appreciation we have for them and what
they’ve allowed us to do.”
When you think back over the past
two decades, what memories really
stand out?
GL
:
“One I will never forget is when I
brought a lady, who was going through
chemo at the time, and her husband on
stage during our performance of “Skin.”
The lady had a bandana on due to having
no hair, and her husband had shaved his
head for her. They danced on stage as we
sang “Skin” to them. We were telling their
story, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the
house. I’m so thankful I got to experience
that! It will live in me forever.”
JDR:
“I’m truly thankful for all the song-
writers that contributed and helped make
our success possible. “I’mMovin’ On” win-
RASCAL F TTS
, one of country music’s
most-beloved acts, hits the road one more time
6
American Profile
BY HEATHER DONAHOE
T
wenty years ago, Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney were just three
guys playing a regular Tuesday night gig at Nashville’s Fiddle and Steel Guitar Bar.
It was at this smoky little honky-tonk that the trio would become Rascal Flatts—
thanks to an audience member who suggested the name one night.
The bar has long-since closed, but Rascal Flatts has gone on to record 17 number-one
hits—songs like “Bless the Broken Road,” “My Wish” and “Fast Cars and Freedom”—sell-
ing more than 23 million albums and 11 million concert tickets. And with 40-plus awards
to their name, Rascal Flatts’ trophy stash is larger than any other country group in the past
decade.
But earlier this year, the trio announced they would commemorate their 20th anniver-
sary with the Rascal Flatts Farewell: Life Is A Highway Tour, slated to run from early sum-
mer until late fall at venues across the United States. And while Rascal Flatts isn’t divulg-
ing any specific plans for the future beyond their final encore this year, lead vocalist LeVox,
49; bassist DeMarcus, 48; and guitarist/banjo player Rooney, 44, are already looking back
with gratitude and ahead with excitement.
FAREWELL
TO A FAVORITE