Beginnings
The group Rascal Flatts is comprised of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney. Gary and Jay are second cousins, and they invited Joe Don to fill in for their guitarist one night at a gig in Nashville and so was born Rascal Flatts.
The trio released their self-titled debut album in June of 2000 on Lyric Street Records, kicked off with the first single, "Praying for Daylight." The song highlighted the tight harmonies the guys have become known for, and the single became their first Top 5 song, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart in July of 2000. The album debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, but hit as high as No. 3, two years later.
The second single, "This Everyday Love" broke the top 10, peaking at No. 9, while the third, "While You Loved Me" peaked at No. 7. The fourth single, "I'm Moving On" while only a Top 5 song, peaking at No. 4, really got the guys noticed, and the song soon became a huge fan favorite, helping to boost the sales of their album to Platinum status. The guys had truly arrived. People would no longer consider them just another "boy band."
Not one to rest on their laurels, the band released their second album, Melt in October of 2002. The album debuted at No. 1, becoming their first No. 1 album. By November of 2002, the first single, "These Days" had climbed to the top of the charts, giving the band their first No. 1 song.
Controversey
The next single, "I Melt" was the one people will remember for having a controversial video. Opinions were mixed as to if the video used sex to sell the music, or if it was nothing anyone should worry about. The single peaked at No. 2 in November of 2003, a month which also saw Rascal Flatts take the CMA Group of the Year Award. It was a very good year for the guys. Since this time, they have won both the CMA and ACM Group awards. They are nominated again in 2005 for the ACM Group nomination. We'll see what happens on May 17th.
Between studio albums, the band released a new CD/DVD disc, called Live which contained the band in concert, singing mostly songs from previous albums, plus a few cover tunes. The second disc included 5 previously unreleased audio tracks. The DVD has gone double platinum, selling over 2,000,000 copies.
The latest release from the band is Feels Like Today, which has sold over 1,000,000 copies, qualifying it for Platinum status. The album, like its predecessor, debuted at No. 1 on the album charts. The title track reached No. 9 on the charts, and was followed by their multiple-week No. 1 song, "Bless the Broken Road."
With a tour that has played to over 250,000 fans since Fall of 2004, and record sales of over six million, things just keep looking better and better for Rascal Flatts.
Discography
Chart History
- Bless The Broken Road - No. 1
- Fast Cars And Freedom - No. 19 *
- Feels Like Today - No. 9
- I Melt - No. 2
- I'm Movin' On - No. 4
- Love You Out Loud - No. 3
- Mayberry - No. 1
- Prayin For Daylight - No. 3
- These Days - No. 1
- This Everyday Love - No. 9
- While You Loved Me - No. 7
NOTE: * based on April 30, 2005 Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart
