Rascal Flatts joins Opry
Saturday, October 8, 2011 – Rascal Flatts was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry family Saturday by Opry member Little Jimmy Dickens. Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus, and Joe Don Rooney also helped celebrate the Opry's 86th birthday during the Opry's Birthday Bash celebration.
Prior to taking the stage, LeVox said, "it is so humbling to carry the Opry flag. There's no higher pinnacle."
DeMarcus added, "one of the titles we're most proud of is member of the Grand Ole Opry."
Rooney said he began to reflect on Opry membership after a conversation with his dad earlier in the day. "I remember when I was growing up, I would watch the Grand Ole Opry on TV. He remembers when he was growing up listening to it on the radio. Now here we are in the year 2011 watching and listening online...We are humbled by this and can't wait to see what the future has in store for us and the Grand Ole Opry...Tonight is a great platform from which to set sail."
The group was surprised by a congratulatory video message from President George W. Bush. "We are big fans of Gary, Jay, and Joe Don," he said, speaking on behalf of himself and former first lady Laura Bush. "We love their music, and we also love their compassion and generosity. Throughout their success, Rascal Flatts have given back to their community and to our country by supporting the Make A Wish Foundation, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross. I am especially proud of their efforts to honor the men and women of our armed forces, and the heroes who are wounded on the front lines. So thanks for your example of excellence and patriotism. And congratulations as well as a hardy welcome to the Opry."
"You have witnessed the greatest night of our lives," LeVox said to the crowd after Dickens had presented the group members with their Opry member awards.
More news for Rascal Flatts
CD reviews for Rascal Flatts
Changed
To some, Rascal Flatts is little more than a trio of pretty boys, existing just on the periphery of traditional country music. And to some degree, these haters are correct. This ain't no honky tonk music. But there is still a lot of goodness wrapped inside all the overly ornate sonic packaging.
This new album's title track, for example, has all the power of a camp meeting revival ballad. Heck, the single Banjo sports some mighty fine picking from the inappropriately named Ilya »»» |
Nothing Like This
Rascal Flatts have become one of country's most bankable bands by turning out albums that are consistently strong and provide the listener with a nice mix of fast and slow. Which is why it's so surprising that their latest offering, "Nothing Like This," is so bad. While the sound is signature RF, the song lineup lacks anything to distinguish it - the material is boring and nondescript, each song blending into the next without any sort of demarcation. The low point is probably »»» |
Unwrapped EP
If the best things in life do indeed come in small packages, this "Unwrapped" EP from Rascal Flatts fits that most worthy description. All but one song have been unavailable for about a year, and one track (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen) is a brand new recording. For Jingle Bell Rock, Rascal Flatts actually trade rock music for big band jazz; this one features plenty of brass horn work. However, White Christmas sticks to a stately orchestrated formula. The trio shows off its vocal chops on »»» |
Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: Steve Earle doesn't rest (on laurels) –
If you didn't realize Steve Earle had a new disc out, "The Low Highway," it would have been no problem realizing that quite and quickly.
That was because Earle started the two-hour show with three straight tracks from "The Low Highway," and he would not be done for the night. The title track of was a midtempo effort... »»»
Concert Review: The Howlin' Brothers leave the radar behind –
The Howlin' Brothers - this trio, in reality, contains no brothers - are about eight years into their career and on their fifth album. To say they've been under the radar screen may be an understatement. You couldn't even say they've been flying under that screen because they have stuck very close to their Nashville environs.... »»»
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Love Is Everything
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