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Biography
Infobox musical artist|name = Rascal Flatts|image = RascalFlatts.jpg|caption = Rascal Flatts at the Crawford County Fair|background = group_or_band|genre = Country music|Country |origin = Columbus, Ohio , United States|USA |years_active = 1999–present|label = Lyric Street Records|Lyric Street Big Machine Records|Big Machine |website = URL| http://www.rascalflatts.com/|current_members = Jay DeMarcus Gary LeVox Joe Don Rooney |associated_acts = Dann Huff Chely Wright Natasha Bedingfield Rascal Flatts is an American country music band that originated in Columbus, Ohio , United States of America . Since its inception, Rascal Flatts has been composed of three members: Gary LeVox ( lead vocals ), Jay DeMarcus ( bass guitar , keyboard instrument|keyboard , piano , vocals ) and Joe Don Rooney ( lead guitar , vocals ). LeVox and DeMarcus are second cousins.
Between 2000 and 2010, Rascal Flatts recorded for Disney Music Group 's Lyric Street Records . While on that label, the band released seven albums, all of which have been music recording sales certification|certified platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In order of release, these albums are Rascal Flatts (album)|Rascal Flatts (2000), Melt (Rascal Flatts album)|Melt (2002), Feels Like Today (2004), Me and My Gang (2006), Still Feels Good (2007), Greatest Hits Volume 1 (Rascal Flatts album)|Greatest Hits Volume 1 (2008) and Unstoppable (Rascal Flatts album)|Unstoppable (2009). After Lyric Street closed in 2010, Rascal Flatts moved to the independent Big Machine Records , releasing Nothing Like This in November 2010.
Rascal Flatts' studio albums have accounted for twenty-six single releases. All of these have charted within the top 20 or higher on the Billboard (magazine)|Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including eleven number ones. The band's longest-lasting number one, a cover of Marcus Hummon 's " Bless the Broken Road ", spent five weeks in that position in early 2005. The late 2005–early 2006 release " What Hurts the Most " was a number one on both the country and adult contemporary charts, and peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 .
History
quote box|quote=We're not just business partners, we are good friends. That's why we have had the longevity we have.|source=Joe Don Rooney, 2006, People magazine11/8/2006 "RASCAL FLATTS". People . 66 :60|width=310px Rascal Flatts' founding was at Fiddle and Steel Guitar Bar in Nashville, Tennessee. Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus are second cousins from a musical family. (DeMarcus's brother-in-law, James Otto , is also a country music artist.) DeMarcus moved to Nashville in 1992, earning his first record deal as part of a Christian group called East to West . In 1997, he finally convinced LeVox to leave his job and pursue a career in music.
DeMarcus soon joined Chely Wright 's band, but and there he met Joe Don Rooney , who was the guitarist in that band. DeMarcus and LeVox were working in a Printer's Alley nightclub, and when their part-time guitarist could not make it one night, DeMarcus invited Rooney to sit in. The crowd's reaction was a positive one, and many asked the trio what their band's name was. They told the crowd that they did not have a name, and according to Gary, a man approached them and told the trio that he had a garage band when he was younger, named Rascal Flatts. The trio liked the name, and began performing together.
Producers Mark Bright and Marty Williams played Lyric Street Records A& R Doug Howard a three-song demo and Howard thought they were "just incredible". After he'd heard the demos, the band went into the Lyric Street offices the next day, sat down with acoustic guitars and played a couple of songs. According to Howard in an interview with HitQuarters : "The vocals and harmonies, it was all there — I was just blown away. The lead singer has such a unique and compelling voice."cite web |url= http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3? page=intrview/opar/intrview_Doug_Howard_Interview.html |title=Interview with Doug Howard |publisher= HitQuarters |date=10 Jul 2006 |accessdate=23 Nov 2010 The band was signed to Lyric Street in late 1999.
Musical career
2000–2002: Rascal Flatts
In early 2000, the group made its debut with the single " Prayin' for Daylight ", a song that had been on the three-song demo that had got the band signed. The song, which reached number three on the Billboard (magazine)|Billboard country charts, was the first single from their Rascal Flatts (album)|self-titled debut , which was issued in early 2000 on Lyric Street.cite web |url=Allmusic|class=artist|id=p429157|pure_url=yes |title=Rascal Flatts biography |accessdate=2007-10-04 |last=Cohoon |first=Rick |work= Allmusic Following "Prayin' for Daylight", the album's other three singles all made top ten on that chart: " This Everyday Love ", " While You Loved Me ", and " I'm Movin' On (Rascal Flatts song)|I'm Movin' On ", which respectively peaked at numbers 9, 7 and 4. "I'm Movin' On" was awarded Song of the Year by the Academy of Country Music in 2002.
The album was met with positive reviews. Stephen Thomas Erlewine called it "a sunny, pleasing modern country-pop album".cite web|url= http://allmusic.com/album/rascal-flatts-r484829/review|title= Rascal Flatts review|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|work=Allmusic|accessdate=1 September 2011
The FunTrivia website says Rascal Flatts recorded the song “Walk the Llama Llama.” that was part of “The Emperor’s New Groove”, one of the most widespread Walt Disney movie soundtracks in the year of 2000. “Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information.” FunTrivia Rascal Flatts. Funtrivia., 10 Dec. 2002. Web. 15 Sept. 2011.
2002–2004: Melt
Melt (Rascal Flatts album)|Melt was the title of their second album, released in 2002. Unlike their previous album, Rascal Flatts co-produced Melt . Its first single, " These Days (Rascal Flatts song)|These Days ", also became their first number-one single on the country charts. The album included two more top ten hits, " Love You Out Loud " and " I Melt ", and the band's second number-one single, " Mayberry (Rascal Flatts song)|Mayberry ". The music video for "I Melt" featured partial nudity, http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1473779/20030714/rascal_flatts.jhtml Rascal Flatts Discuss Their Racy Video and as a result, the video was banned from the Great American Country network.
2004–2005: Feels Like Today
Rascal Flatts' third album was entitled Feels Like Today , and it was released in late 2004. The album's Feels Like Today (song)|title track was its first single, followed by " Bless the Broken Road ". This latter song was originally recorded by its co-writer, Marcus Hummon , and had also been recorded by Melodie Crittenden (whose version made the country charts in 1998), Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Sons of the Desert (band)|Sons of the Desert . In early 2005, Rascal Flatts' version of the song spent five weeks at number one. After this song, " Fast Cars and Freedom " also went to number one. While this song was climbing the charts, some radio stations began playing a hidden track on the album, titled "Skin". This unsolicited airplay caused "Skin" to enter the top 40, and after "Fast Cars and Freedom" peaked, it was released as a single under the title " Skin (Sarabeth) " and officially added to the album's track list.
2005–2007 Me and My Gang and Still Feels Good
Rascal Flatts' thirteenth chart entry, " What Hurts the Most ", was released in December 2005. This song, which had previously been recorded by Mark Wills in 2003, was the first single from their fourth album, 2006's Me and My Gang . For this album, the band worked with producer Dann Huff . "What Hurts the Most" was a crossover hit, reaching number one at both country and adult contemporary, as well as top 10 on the Hot 100 charts. After it, the album's Me and My Gang (song)|title track charted in the top ten, and both " My Wish " and " Stand (Rascal Flatts song)|Stand " made number one.
Also in 2006, the group charted in the top 10 of the Hot 100 with a cover of Tom Cochrane 's " Life Is a Highway ", which they recorded for the Pixar film Cars (film)|Cars . Although "Life Is a Highway" was not released to country radio, several country stations began playing the song, causing it to chart within the top 20 of Hot Country Songs.
Me and My Gang had the highest US debut of 2006, with 722,000 units in April.Christman, Ed (2006-10-07), "Million-Unit Question". Billboard . 118 (40):7 The album spent 15 weeks as the number one album on the Billboard Country Chart and was the second-best selling album of 2006 (behind High School Musical ) with sales totaling 3.5 million by year's end.Tucker, Ken (2007-08-25), "CAN RASCAL REPEAT? " Billboard . 119 (34):20& ndash;22 The album's success led the band to take the spot of top-selling artist for all genres of music, which hadn't been accomplished in 15 years by a country group.Rascal Flatts. 2008. Rascal Flatts Fans, Inc. 9/21/2008.
Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts performed together at the 2007 Grammy Awards ceremony.No byline (2007-02-09), "Performances dwarf the awards". USA Today Later the same year, the group released the single " Take Me There (Rascal Flatts song)|Take Me There ", a song which Kenny Chesney co-wrote and had initially planned to record himself. It became a number-one country hit in September and was the first single from their album Still Feels Good . It was followed by " Winner at a Losing Game ", the first single which the band wrote itself.cite journal |last=Horner |first=Marianne |date=24 March 2008 |title=Story Behind the Song: "Winner at a Losing Game" |journal= Country Weekly |volume=15 |issue=6 |page=64 |accessdate=19 December 2010 Both it and its followup " Every Day (Rascal Flatts song)|Every Day " peaked at number two on the country charts. The fourth single from Still Feels Good , " Bob That Head ", became the band's first single to miss the top ten at country radio. The album's fifth and final single, " Here (Rascal Flatts song)|Here ", was released in August 2008 and became their ninth Number One hit on the chart week of January 3, 2009.
2008–2010 Greatest Hits Volume 1 and Unstoppable
Rascal Flatts released their first Greatest Hits CD, Greatest Hits Volume 1 (Rascal Flatts album)|Greatest Hits Volume 1 on October 28, 2008. The album contains 13 of their biggest songs, starting with " Prayin' for Daylight " and going through " Life Is a Highway ". The limited edition of the album contains a second disc with three Christmas songs: " White Christmas (song)|White Christmas ", " Jingle Bell Rock ", and " I'll Be Home for Christmas ". A year later in October 2009, they released a second edition of their greatest hits collection, this time with a second disc containing live performances of "Take Me There", "Summer Nights", "Me & My Gang", and "Winner at a Losing Game".
Rascal Flatts released the first single " Here Comes Goodbye " from their album, Unstoppable (Rascal Flatts album)|Unstoppable , to radio on January 20, and the album was released on April 7, 2009. The song was co-written by American Idol season 6 finalist Chris Sligh . The second single, " Summer Nights (Rascal Flatts song)|Summer Nights ", co-written by Gary LeVox, was released in early May 2009 debuting at #57 and topped out at #2 on the country charts. The group performed Summer Nights at the CMT Music Awards , The Oprah Winfrey Show| Oprah 's Kickoff Party, and the finale of '' America's Got Talent . The third single off the album, " Why (Rascal Flatts song)|Why ", peaked at #18 on the country charts. Rascal Flatts performed "Why" on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien . The band released their fourth single, " Unstoppable (Rascal Flatts song)|Unstoppable ", in January 2010.
A special release version of their album Unstoppable is available at JCPenney stores nationwide. It features a special release song entitled " American Living " only available on the albums sold at JCPenney stores. JCPenney is an official sponsor of Rascal Flatts' Unstoppable American Living Tour in an two-year partnership and $1 of every CD sold at JCPenney will be donated to the JCPenney Afterschool Fund . On July 16, 2009, as part of the JCPenney American Living Tour, Rascal Flatts made history as the first country music group to play Chicago 's Wrigley Field .cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Grand Slam Weekend| date=July 14, 2009 | url = http://countrymusicchicago.com/2009/07/14/grand-slam-weekend/ The trio was joined by fellow artists, Vince Gill and Darius Rucker for a near-sellout crowd.
2010–present Nothing Like This , The Best of Rascal Flatts Live and Changed
After the closure of Lyric Street in April 2010, Rascal Flatts signed to Big Machine Records in July of the same year. The group's first release for the label was " Why Wait (song)|Why Wait ".cite web|url= http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1644689/rascal-flatts-sign-with-big-machine-records.jhtml|title=Rascal Flatts Sign With Big Machine Records|date=29 July 2010|work=CMT|accessdate=29 July 2010 Their next album Nothing Like This was released November 16.cite web|author=Rascal Flatts |url= http://www.billboard.com/news/rascal-flatts-to-release-nothing-like-this-1004106743.story#/news/rascal-flatts-to-release-nothing-like-this-1004106743.story |title=Rascal Flatts to Release 'Nothing Like This' on Big Machine |publisher=Billboard.com |date=2009-09-14 |accessdate=2011-07-06 In December 2010, this song became the trio's eleventh number-one single on the country music charts. In March 2011, Rascal Flatts was featured on a remix of Justin Bieber 's song " That Should Be Me ".
The second single from Nothing Like This was " I Won't Let Go (Rascal Flatts song)|I Won't Let Go ", which went to number two in early 2011. Following it was the band's first collaborative release to country radio, " Easy (Rascal Flatts song)|Easy ", which features a duet vocal from British singer Natasha Bedingfield .
On November 8, 2011, Hollywood Records released The Best of Rascal Flatts Live .cite news|title=Rascal Flatts' Live Album Due Nov. 8|url= http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1672455/rascal-flatts-live-album-due-nov-8.jhtml|accessdate=October 21, 2011|newspaper= Country Music Television |date=October 13, 2011
They also announced on a recent Today Show appearance that they were in the studio working on a new album due out April 2012. Gary LeVox quoted "Its pretty good, (laughs) really good" Jay Demarcus told that they are doing things a little differently this time and producing some songs entirely by themselves and the rest with Producer Dann Huff.
On January 19, 2012 Rascal Flatts took to their Twitter to announce that their new album entitled 'Changed' will be released April 3, 2012.
Reception
The group has an uncommon youth demographic (18& ndash;25) for country music. In September 2007, Weekly Reader Research conducted a poll of more than 2,000 children and Rascal Flatts ranked as the sixth-most-popular act among ages 10–12.Mansfield, Brian (2007-09-28), "Young fans keep Rascal Flatts humming". USA Today
They have raised and donated millions of dollars to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt .cite web|url= http://www.rascalflatts.com/rascalflatts |title=Rascal Flatts |publisher=Rascal Flatts |date=2010-10-15 |accessdate=2011-07-06 They are also involved with the American Red Cross as they are members on the celebrity cabinet board.
Touring
Rascal Flatts has enjoyed financial success as touring artists. Nielsen reported that the band was the top selling artist in 2006: "Rascal Flatts was the biggest selling artist, with nearly 5 million physical album sales and nearly 4 million digital track sales." They had their first headlining tour beginning in Fall 2002, and by 2005 they were among the top 25 tours of the year, grossing $26.3 million in 777,384 tickets sold, according to Billboard Boxscore.Waddell, Ray; Tucker, Ken (2007-08-25), "RASCAL ON THE ROAD". Billboard . 119 (34):22 Their follow-up tour in 2006 grossed $46.2 million, drawing more than a million people to 79 shows. Rascal Flatts has the third-highest US country tour in 2007, grossing $34 million from 588,009 tickets sold."THIS YEAR'S HIGHEST-GROSSING TOURS". People , :16 The group grossed $16.8 million dollars from their summer tour alone.Jones, Steve (2007-10-11) "Police excel at crowd control". USA TODAY .
Rascal Flatts's shows are heavy on special effects, including videos, pyrotechnics and laser lights.
The American Band Tour & ndash; 2012cite web|url= http://www.countrymusicrocks.net/2012/02/rascal-flatts-announce-the-american-band-tour-with-little-big-town-edens-edge-eli-young-band.html |title=Announce 2012 Summer Tour "The American Band Tour" |publisher=Rascal Flatts |date=2012-02-01 |accessdate=2012-02-02
*with Little Big Town , Eli Young Band & Edens Edge
Contributions for other artists
Rascal Flatts' members have also contributed to the work of other artists. LeVox, along with Jason Sellers and Wendell Mobley, co-wrote Phil Stacey 's 2008 debut single "If You Didn't Love Me".cite journal |last=Neal |first=Chris |date=2008-03-10 |title=Who's New: Phil Stacey |journal= Country Weekly |volume=15 |issue=5 |page=72 |accessdate= 2008-10-21 DeMarcus has co-produced albums for several artists, including Chely Wright's 2002 album Never Love You Enough as well as Chicago (band)|Chicago 's Chicago XXX . James Otto's 2008 album Sunset Man was co-produced by DeMarcus and John Rich (musician)|John Rich of Big & Rich .
The group has also contributed portions of the Hannah Montana: The Movie soundtrack, with acoustic versions of " Bless the Broken Road " and "Backwards". In 2011, they did a remix of " That Should Be Me " by Justin Bieber on the remix album " Never Say Never – The Remixes ". In the same year, Anna Wilson's "Countrypolitan Duets" album also include a song that she feat. Rascal Flatts & Ray Price which is called "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me". In the same year, they collaborated with Michael Bolton in his latest album called Gems, the song is called Love Is Everything.
" These Days (Rascal Flatts song)|These Days " (2002) (3 weeks)
" Mayberry (Rascal Flatts song)|Mayberry " (2004)
" Bless the Broken Road " (2005) (5 weeks)
" Fast Cars and Freedom " (2005) (3 weeks)
" What Hurts the Most#Rascal Flatts cover|What Hurts the Most " (2006) (4 weeks) /> #endnote A| A
" My Wish (song)|My Wish " (2006)
" Stand (Rascal Flatts song)|Stand " (2007)
" Take Me There (Rascal Flatts song)|Take Me There " (2007) (3 weeks)
" Here (Rascal Flatts song)|Here " (2009) (2 weeks)
" Here Comes Goodbye " (2009)
" Why Wait (song)|Why Wait " (2010) (2 weeks)
Notes
A /> #ref_A| ^ "What Hurts the Most" also became Rascal Flatts' first number one adult hit in the U.S., reaching #1 on the U.S. Billboard (magazine)|Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for one week in November, three weeks in December, and five weeks in January.
Awards
refimprove section|date=January 2008 2000
Academy of Country Music|ACM Top New Vocal Duo Or Group (presented 2001)
2002
Country Music Association|CMA Horizon Award
ACM Song of the Year ("I'm Movin' On") (presented 2003)
ACM Top Vocal Group (presented 2003)
2003
CMT Flameworthy Video Music Award for Group/Duo of the Year ("These Days")
CMA Vocal Group of the Year
ACM Top Vocal Group (presented 2004)
2004
CMT Flameworthy Music Video Award for Group/Duo of the Year ("I Melt")
CMA Vocal Group
ACM Top Vocal Group (presented 2005)
2005
CMT Music Award for Group/Duo of the Year ("Feels Like Today")
CMA Vocal Group of the Year
ACM Top Vocal Group (presented 2006)
Radio Music Awards for Song of the Year/Country Radio ("Bless The Broken Road") http://www.chiff.com/pop-culture/radio-music-awards.htm
Billboard Roadworks '05 Touring Awards for Breakthrough Act http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_Touring_Awards#2005
2006
CMT Music Award for Group/Duo of the Year ("Skin (Sarabeth)") http://www.cmtmusicawardspress.com/2006/winners/index.cfm*ACM Top Vocal Group (presented 2007)
CMA Vocal Group of the Year
American Music Award|AMA Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group
AMA T-Mobile Text-In Award
People's Choice Awards Favorite Song from a Movie ("Life Is A Highway")
People's Choice Awards Favorite Song Remake ("Life Is A Highway")
CMT Loaded Awards & ndash; Number One Digitally Active Group/Duo
CMT Loaded Awards & ndash; Number One Streamed Music Video ("What Hurts the Most")
Grammy Awards Best Country Song ("Bless the Broken Road"); songwriter award
2007
CMT Music Awards for Group Video of the Year ("What Hurts the Most")
ACM Top Vocal Group (presented 2008)
CMA Vocal Group of the Year
AMA Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group
BMI Song of The Year ("What Hurts The Most") http://www.rascalflatts.com/album/discography/me-and-my-gang}
2008
People's Choice Awards Favorite Country Song ("Stand") http://www.cinemablend.com/music/People-s-Choice-Award-Winners-8195.html*People's Choice Awards Favorite Group
CMT Music Award for Group Video of the Year ("Take Me There") http://www.cmt.com/cmt-music-awards/winners.jhtml CMT Music Awards 2008 : Winners : Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Trace Adkins and More
ACM Top Vocal Group (presented 2009)
ACM Humanitarian Award
CMA Vocal Group of the Year
AMA Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group
2009
People's Choice Awards Favorite Group
CMT Music Award for Group Video of the Year ("Every Day") http://www.cmt.com/microsites/cmt-music-awards/archives/2009.jhtml*AMA Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group
2010
Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame
American Country Awards|ACA Decade Artist award
2011
Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Awardcite web|url= http://www.rascalflatts.com/story/news/rascal_flatts_earn_more_honors_for_their_philanthropy_work |title=Earn More Honors For Their Philanthropy Work |publisher=Rascal Flatts |date= |accessdate=2011-07-06
CMT Music Award for Collaborative Video of the Year (" That Should Be Me ")
Member of the Grand Ole Opry
2012
CRS 2012 Artist Humanitarian Award http://www.rascalflatts.com/story/news/rascal-flatts-to-receive-crs-2012-artist-humanitarian-award
Film and television appearances
Rascal Flatts, along with David Hartley, contributed "Walk The Llama Llama" to the sound track of '' The Emperor's New Groove .
In addition to Tom Cochrane's "Life Is a Highway," Rascal Flatts covered " The Beatles " hit " Revolution (song)|Revolution " for Evan Almighty . Their version of the song did not appear on the soundtrack.
On February 1, 2006, Rascal Flatts appeared as themselves in ""The Limo"" episode of Yes, Dear . After being kidnapped in a limo by the main characters, the group performed "Bless the Broken Road" for them as an anniversary gift.
On April 10, 2009, Rascal Flatts appeared as themselves in Hannah Montana: The Movie singing their songs "Backwards" during the scene of Miley's grandma's birthday party and then "Bless the Broken Road" in an evening scene on the front porch.
They appeared as themselves, promoting '' Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution in Huntington, West Virginia.
On March 4, 2010, Rascal Flatts appeared as themselves in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (season 10)|Season 10 episode 14 of the CBS drama, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation , in which they performed a concert. In the episode, entitled "Unshockable," Jay DeMarcus was electrocuted by what turned out to be their bass tech Travis Murray. On the commentary they said what a great opportunity it was to work with such fine actors who are so good at what they do, Gary LeVox stated "It's one of my favourite shows and it was an honour to add a little piece of Rascal Flatts to the episode"
They also appeared in a Hershey commercial to promote Hershey Chocolate.
On April 28, 2010, Rascal Flatts appeared as themselves on American Idol . They also sang with Shakira .
They recorded a live concert during the January 20, 2011 show in St. Paul, Minnesota, that was broadcast on ABC March 12, 2011
On April 17, 2011, Rascal Flatts appeared as themselves on West Coast Customs . West Coast Customs builds them a custom Chevrolet Camaro inspired by their song, "Red Camaro".
On May 23, 2011, Rascal Flatts performed on 'Surprise, Oprah& #33; A Farewell Spectacular Part 1' along with other artists including Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle, and Beyoncé.
References
reflist
External links
Official website| http://www.rascalflatts.com/
Rascal FlattsPixar music Category:American country music groups Category:Big Machine Records artists Category:Lyric Street Records artists Category:Musical groups established in 1999 Category:Musical groups from Columbus, Ohio Category:Vocal trios Category:Grand Ole Opry members
