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Rascal Flatts Biography
Review The Artist (47)
The origins of the group begin with co-founders, Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus, second cousins and close friends from Columbus, Ohio. "I grew up in a very musical family," says Jay DeMarcus about his musical roots. "My earliest memories are of us sitting around the living room on Friday and Saturday nights and everybody coming around to the house and picking up whatever instrument was laying around and playing music all night long." "My story is almost the same as Jay's," says Gary LeVox. "I have a very musical family, both my dad and my mom. Our mothers were cousins but close as sisters. We spent a lot of weekends at Jay's house as kids, doing kid stuff and making music."
Growing up in Picher, Oklahoma, Joe Don Rooney's musical influences first came from his brother and sisters. "They were all into music when I was growing up so I went through a lot of different musical genres," Joe Don explains. But he got his mainstream country experience in Grove, OK. "There was a show called the Grand Lake Opry, believe it or not. Kind of like the Grand Ole Opry. It was really cool. When I was nineteen I worked there and every month we'd have a Grand Ole Opry star from Nashville, like Porter Wagoner, Connie Smith and Merle Haggard, come down to sing and perform."
In 1992, Jay DeMarcus packed up his music skills (vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards, mandolin and more), and was the first to move to Nashville. In 1997, Jay finally convinced his cousin Gary LeVox to give up his day-job back in Columbus and bring his incredible voice to Nashville. "When Gary moved to Nashville, we started writing together," says Jay. "We caught up on lost time. We sang every chance we got. We just hit it hard. We'd stay up endless nights writing music and playing together."
Jay and Joe Don met when they got jobs last year in Chely Wright's band. Meanwhile, the cousins were also gigging in Nashville's infamous Printers Alley with a part time guitarist. When their guitarist couldn't make it to a show one weekend, Jay invited Joe Don to sit in with them. None of them expected the magic that would make Joe Don a permanent member of the band. "That night really worked out special," Joe Don recalls.
Jay knew that I sing high and he had been taking the high part above Gary the whole time they had been singing together. That night, he decided to take the low fifth." Jay pipes in, "I was happy to take the low fifth. I heard Joe Don open his mouth and I was like, "thank you, Jesus!" And, the first night that we sang together, we stopped and looked at each other on-stage, like -- that was kind of cool, let's do that again! It really, really was magical. We honestly didn't have to work hard at it. It was so natural and so much fun."
The trio went into the studio and recorded some rough demos with Bright and Williams that were played for producer Dann Huff. Even though Huff was not involved with the project, he was so excited by Rascal Flatts' powerful vocal harmonies and stellar musicianship that he called Lyric Street Records' Senior VP of AandR, Doug Howard, and said, "You have to hear this group." Four days later Lyric Street had completed demos in their hands and a new group to sign.
It is impossible to pinpoint just one element that makes Rascal Flatts' music so special. "We just really jelled because of our influences; pop, RandB, country, gospel, bluegrass roots," says Joe Don. "We've always liked to try to be different, even if we were just playing at some little dive," Jay explains. "When someone listens to Rascal Flatts, they're going to hear a lot of harmony, a lot of funkiness because we love to groove.
It's so encouraging for us to see country music going more that direction." "We felt like Lyric Street really had a great grasp on the way that country music was going with SHeDAISY," Gary continues, "and from the beginning we felt like we wanted to be there because of that." And Lyric Street has the power of Disney behind them," adds Jay, "which is really exciting."
Rascal Flatts is the perfect New Millennium group signed to the most forward-looking new label in Nashville. They were deeply influenced by musical family roots that stretch back to the beginnings of country music itself, and they were influenced by music-making parents and siblings that passed on the contemporary country influences of the latter part of the century. What Jay, Gary and Joe Don have done is add all their individual influences and creativity to a potent, new musical brew seasoned by all that made country music great in the 20th Century, yet is immediately as fresh and exciting as the 21st Century. |
Would you please submit the latest Rascal Flatts biography to me? Thank You.
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Review about Rascal Flatts
My name is Robin Taylor, I am a song writer. | Reviewer: Anonymous | 10/18/09
I have been writing music since the year 1...I must apologize because I am not a fan, nor have I heard any of your music. However, the majority of those who listen to my catalog of songs are of the opinion that I am covering your original songs. I would love for you to listen to a sample of my music and let me know if you agree. Please go to www.myspace.com/robinqtaylor
amazing | Reviewer: Hayley | 8/13/09
i love you guys so much im a huge fan and i would loveee to go to a concert, ive had so many good memories listening to your music and sad but i love listening to you guys it always makes me happy and makes me want to live my life to the fullest
God Bless you boys, You are Great. | Reviewer: Tosan Blankson | 4/28/09
I first heard the Group Rascal Flatts when I was sick in my bed for days, Immediately I heard the song "These Days" I was Like wow this is great. I got up and rushed to my living room where it is being played on the radio, heard the other part of it and you can imagine I got relieved from being sick.
Thats when I moved on and got every rascal Flatts cd that comes out. Originally country music was what my dad played when I was little and growing up. I am An African and from Nigeria, so you know what that means to like country music.
Right now am doing my first album, its a gospel and its titled "Loving Every Minute With Jesus".
Rascal Flatts are my mentor with Mark Wills and Brad Paisley. You guys rock and God bless you guys for your great work and how you inspire people to move on with your lyrics and concept about life.
Keep it up.
Tosan Blankson.
Nigeria.
Thank You, | Reviewer: Alexis | 3/4/09
Well first I got to say I'm going to yall concert this friday and I can't wait. I never realize that music can explain how life and everything is. But yall change that, yall songs inspire me to go on in life and to love what I have. Yall music is great and toching. I love yall so much. Your biggest fan! :)
Great look | Reviewer: Ranie Elias | 2/28/09
Dear Gary - I truly love your music - I can never get enought - I love listening to you sing - you sing with such love and passion. I know you love what you do - God Bless and keep up the good work. Great smile.
rascal flatts | Reviewer: caitlyn | 2/12/09
hey guys im just sayin these guys are amazing and have wonderful wifes and they are really just soakin up the dream out there. these guys are wonderful they have been through alot and I know that they will be the next country legend, They will go farther than anybody and are currantly the hottest band alive. There music is sensational and moving in many ways. they sing songs that Hit close to home like SKIN and What hurts the most. If I could say one thing to them it would be THANK YOU for making such wonderful music and inspiring so many young artists. you guys are great
amzingg | Reviewer: Heather | 2/6/09
Listening to your music makes me feel alive.
I love the song Stand
Because it makes me feel like I have purpose.
And that I can do anything if I put my all into it!
you guys are completely amazing!
thanx!
LOVE YOU | Reviewer: Rachel | 1/15/09
You guys are amazing!!! I don't know what iwould ever do ithout you.. You are turly my life and i wish i could spend every mintue with you. The only thing i want in life is to meet you. You are amazing and i can't wait for "Unstoppable" to come out!! LOVE YOU FOR LIFE
Wow! | Reviewer: *Kaddy* | 12/8/08
OMG! Rascal Flatts have to be the best band I've heard ALL YEAR (2007-2008) I'm a pretty new fan, but I've made it my personal mission to buy all your CD's! I currently have Me & My Gang, and I'm gonna get the others! YOU GUYS ROCK MA SOX!!! I had cancer when I was a kid, so the song Skin really touches home... thanks, Rascal Flatts, for making the awesomest music ever. Your musical talent is amazing, all the harmonies... God, LOVE RASCAL FLATTS! If you ever come to Australia, I'm first in line for tickets!
i love u guys!!!! | Reviewer: Brooke | 9/20/08
I love u guys!!! your so amazing i went to your concert when u came to winnipeg and it was awesome!!!! I LOVE the song SKIN!!!! it almost makes me cry the first time i heard it i did!!!!
love ya
Brooke from winnipeg
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Review the Artist Rascal Flatts
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