In the world of country music, few names shine as brightly as Rascal Flatts. For over two decades, this beloved American country music group, comprised of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus, and Joe Don Rooney, captivated audiences with their harmonious vocals and chart-topping hits. However, in 2020, the music industry was left in shock as Rascal Flatts announced their breakup. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of why Rascal Flatts broke up and what the future holds for its members.
The Farewell That Never Was
Rascal Flatts’ journey to fame and acclaim began in 1999. Their melodic tunes, including hits like “Bless the Broken Road” and “What Hurts the Most,” struck a chord with country music enthusiasts. As the band approached their 20th anniversary, they planned a farewell tour to celebrate their remarkable career. It was meant to be a final bow, a chance for fans to relive their favorite Rascal Flatts moments.
A Sudden Departure
However, the road to farewell was not smooth. The first blow came with the unexpected departure of band member Joe Don Rooney. The departure of a key member often leads to turbulence in any group, and Rascal Flatts was no exception. Gary LeVox, the lead singer, expressed his discontent with this abrupt turn of events, revealing that Joe Don Rooney’s decision to quit the band took him by surprise.
Rascal Flatts Band Members
Position |
Name |
| Lead Vocals | Gary LeVox |
| Bass, Backing Vocals | Jay DeMarcus |
| Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals | Joe Don Rooney |
The Pandemic’s Unwelcome Interruption
As if that wasn’t enough, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, causing widespread disruption across the globe. The pandemic’s impact reached even the music industry, forcing the cancellation of Rascal Flatts’ highly anticipated farewell tour. This cancellation left the band and their devoted fans without the closure they had hoped for after years of shared musical experiences.
A New Chapter
Despite the challenges and the official breakup of Rascal Flatts in October 2021, each member of the band has ventured into solo projects within the music industry. Gary LeVox, with his distinctive voice and charismatic presence, continues to make music as a solo artist. Fans fondly remember him as the lead singer who played a pivotal role in Rascal Flatts’ enduring legacy.
Rascal Flatts Discography
Year |
Album |
| 2000 | Rascal Flatts |
| 2002 | Melt |
| 2004 | Feels Like Today |
| 2006 | Me and My Gang |
| 2007 | Still Feels Good |
| 2009 | Unstoppable |
| 2010 | Nothing Like This |
| 2012 | Changed |
| 2014 | Rewind |
| 2017 | Back to Us |
Rascal Flatts Awards
Year |
Award |
| 2000 | ACM Top New Vocal Duo Or Group (presented in 2001) |
| 2002 | CMA Horizon Award |
| 2002 | ACM Song of the Year (“I’m Movin’ On”) (presented in 2003) |
| 2002 | ACM Top Vocal Group (presented in 2003) |
| 2003 | CMT Flameworthy Video Music Award for Group/Duo of the Year (“These Days”) |
| 2003 | CMA Vocal Group of the Year |
| 2003 | ACM Top Vocal Group (presented in 2004) |
| 2004 | CMT Flameworthy Music Video Award for Group/Duo of the Year (“I Melt”) |
| 2004 | CMA Vocal Group |
| 2004 | ACM Top Vocal Group (presented in 2005) |
| 2005 | CMT Music Award for Group/Duo of the Year (“Feels Like Today”) |
| 2005 | CMA Vocal Group of the Year |
| 2005 | ACM Top Vocal Group (presented in 2006) |
| 2005 | Radio Music Awards for Song of the Year/Country Radio (“Bless The Broken Road”) |
| 2005 | Billboard Roadworks ’05 Touring Awards for Breakthrough Act |
| 2005 | Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (“Bless the Broken Road”) |
| 2006 | CMT Music Award for Group/Duo of the Year (“Skin (Sarabeth)”) |
| 2006 | CMA Vocal Group of the Year |
| 2006 | AMA Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group |
| 2006 | People’s Choice Awards Favorite Song from a Movie (“Life Is A Highway”) |
| 2006 | People’s Choice Awards Favorite Song Remake (“Life Is A Highway”) |
| 2006 | Grammy Nomination: Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (“What Hurts The Most”) |
| 2007 | CMT Music Awards for Group Video of the Year (“What Hurts the Most”) |
| 2007 | ACM Top Vocal Group (presented in 2008) |
| 2007 | CMA Vocal Group of the Year |
| 2007 | AMA 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 for Group Video of the Year (“Take Me There”) |
| 2008 | ACM Top Vocal Group (presented in 2009) |
| 2008 | ACM Humanitarian Award |
| 2008 | CMA Vocal Group of the Year |
| 2008 | AMA Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group |
| 2008 | Grammy Nomination: Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (“Every Day”) |
| 2009 | People’s Choice Awards Favorite Group |
| 2009 | CMT Music Award for Group Video of the Year (“Every Day”) |
| 2009 | AMA Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group |
| 2009 | Grammy Nomination: Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (“Here Comes Goodbye”) |
| 2010 | Star on the Music City Walk of Fame |
| 2010 | ACA 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 | ACM Jim Reeves International Award (presented in 2014) |
| 2021 | CRS Artist Career Achievement Award |
| 2021 | ACM Cliffie Stone Icon Award |
Rascal Flatts in the Rearview Mirror
In conclusion, Rascal Flatts’ breakup in 2020 was a combination of internal tensions, the unexpected departure of Joe Don Rooney, and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a bittersweet ending for a band that had touched the hearts of many with their music. While Rascal Flatts may no longer grace the stage together, the individual journeys of its members offer hope for potential reunions or new musical endeavors in the future.
What Happened To Rascal Flatts – FAQs
- Why did Rascal Flatts break up?
Rascal Flatts decided to break up in 2020 after facing challenges, including the unexpected departure of bandmate Joe Don Rooney and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The planned farewell tour was canceled due to the pandemic. - Who is the lead singer of Rascal Flatts?
Gary LeVox is the lead singer of Rascal Flatts. His distinctive voice played a significant role in the band’s success. - What happened to Rascal Flatts’ farewell tour?
Rascal Flatts’ farewell tour, planned to celebrate their 20th anniversary, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving fans without the anticipated closure. - Who are the members of Rascal Flatts?
The members of Rascal Flatts were Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus, and Joe Don Rooney. - What is Gary LeVox doing after the breakup of Rascal Flatts?
After the breakup, Gary LeVox pursued individual projects in the music industry, continuing to make music as a solo artist.
In the end, the breakup of Rascal Flatts may have marked the end of an era, but it’s also the beginning of exciting new chapters in the musical journeys of its talented members. Fans around the world eagerly await what the future holds for these country music icons.
