Have you ever wondered what inspired the country-music group’s name Rascal Flatts? According to the group’s lead singer Gary LeVox, “Rascal Flatts doesn’t mean anything. Our logo is a dog that’s flat and run over, but we were actually in a club — playing at the Fiddle & Steel Guitar Bar in Nashville, we were getting ready to sign with Lyric Street and we didn’t have a name. A buddy of ours said that was the name of his band back in the ’60s, so that’s how we got it.”

Interesting! And yet more interesting is how Rascal Flatts has helped change the old stereotype of country-music (think whining about tractors and cheating spouses) by offering a new type of cutting-edge country that competes with more popular genres. Even if you swear you do not enjoy or listen to country music, I bet you know at least one of their most popular songs: “These Days,” “Bless The Broken Road,” “What Hurts The Most,” and “Take Me There.”

Their newest album “Unstoppable” propels them further into the sphere of highly talented country musicians with an edge. Joe Don (one of the three band members) explains, “This is the best group of songs we’ve ever had.” Fellow band mate Jay (Gary’s cousin) speaks up by asserting, “We started early on this record so we could take the time to cut when we wanted to cut.” Not to be left out of the conversation, Gary chimes in, “Overall, these were songs I could pour all of myself into.” Clearly this successful trio is passionate about their work - perhaps the reason why they have amassed such a large following.

In order to succeed in anything, people must have passion and dedication to create meaning in their lives! Gary encourages aspiring young singers that if “that’s where your heart is, and that’s what you want to do, you need to move where the music is happening. If you don’t live in Nashville, you need to move if what you want to do is country music. Then again, pop or anything else, R & B or whatever, then you’d have to move to L.A. or New York. You have to be in the environment where the type of music that you want to do is happening, and stay focused on it. You’re going to have rocky roads, but if that’s what the true passion of your heart is, stay determined.

Get out there and sing as much as possible.” How inspiring! How do the guys feel about living in the country music state? As much as they love it, sometimes there is no place like home . . . Gary explains, “I love living in Tennessee, but Ohio is always home to me. My heart is there.” And yet, all three guys are able to make a home with the people that matter most to them. Since their last release, Jay has gotten married, Gary has had his second child, and Joe Don has moved into his new Nashvillearea home.

So, maybe saying “home is where the heart is” implies that the heart is where the family is . . . clearly evidenced by these family men who try not to be on the road for more than 14 days at a time. Like a proud parent, bass playing Jay gushes “Every song is special.” Along with Joe Don’s guitar work and Gary’s vocals, the group’s collective sound is truly wonderful. Their talent is clearly demonstrated by their sold-out tours and success on the billboard charts. Imagine being able to live your childhood dream like these fellows do everyday. Gary appears grateful of this surreal success and explains, “As a kid, you stand in front of your mirror and only dream about being able to sell out arenas and stadiums.”

If you are interested in getting a seat at their next concert in the area, I suggest you mark your calendar for Friday 07/24/09 at 8:00 PM at Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach. Fully aware of the current economic hardships faced by many, Jay empathizes “I know how difficult it can be for people to lay down money to go to a concert and I thank them profusely from the stage every night.

Our main focus will always be to give them every penny’s worth of entertainment value we can.” These three committed family men take their role in the community seriously, which shows in their charitable efforts. Since their inception into the country music world in 1999, the trio’s growth and motivation to continue putting their hearts & souls into their work does indeed seem “Unstoppable!”

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