NashvilleGab - Country music news and Nashville celebrity gossip

Rascal Flatts planning on 4th quarter release

Joe Don Rooney thinks Blake Shelton was 'kinda right'

You've heard about Blake Shelton's foot-in-mouth moment on GAC Backstory, correct? I asked Joe Don Rooney from Rascal Flatts for his take on Blake's comments, here's what he said...

JD=Joe Don
BW=Broadway
CM=Cory Myers

BW: Did that come off as disrespectful to you?

JD: Now, what's his name again? Blake what?

BW: Blake Lambert

JD: Oh! That guy that's married to Miranda! Ya know what? Here's the thing about Blake...he's so funny. You don't know if he's joking, you don't know if he's serious. He doesn't even know if he's joking or serious. That's just Blake. I think his point honestly comes from a good place, he's just kinda having fun with it. Country music does have to evolve and it has evolved to where it is, and it's going to keep evolving into whatever it's going to be. I think that's kind of his point, from my side, being serious, he's kind of right. But, he didn't have to be so edgy about it.

CM: So honest...

JD: I don't know if it's honest or he's just trying to be a jackass himself. None of those old guys are gonna see it or hear that anyway, so what's it matter. (laughs)

Click Here for my full interview with Joe Don

Posted by Broadway (Guest Writer)
Listen to my radio show weekday mornings, 6-10a eastern on iHeartRadio and follow me on twitter @broadwayonair.

Rascal Flatts hit 1 million mark for 2012 (from the mailbag)

Rascal Flatts is one of the hottest touring acts in any genre of music selling over 7 million concert tickets in their career, and with this weekend's wrap of the Farmers Insurance Presents "Changed Tour," 1 million of those were from fans attending shows in this year alone. Rascal Flatts began the year with their "Thaw Out 2012" tour adding 47 additional dates on the Farmers Insurance Presents "Changed Tour" to bring the 2012 year-end total to just over 60 concerts.

The Band Perry to join Rascal Flatts for 2013 tour dates (from the mailbag)

Super group Rascal Flatts announced today they will extend their Farmers Insurance Presents "Changed Tour" with a winter leg of 20 dates starting January 10 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Special guest The Band Perry will join Rascal Flatts for the 2013 leg of the tour.

Rascal Flatts is known for their highly energetic performances and state-of-the-art production. The

Minneapolis Star shared, "country music's best-selling trio of all time brought lots of harmonies, a little humor and imaginative video. They came across as committed, fun-loving, crowd-pleasing entertainers." And the Orange County Register claimed Rascal Flatts performance of "What Hurts The Most" in their encore at the mid-September show at Verizon Amphitheater "definitely helped put the show over the top as the best country performance of the fading summer season."

Remaining Farmers Insurance Presents "Changed Tour" 2012 dates:

• 10-20 Atlanta, GA Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood 
• 10-26 Tampa, FL 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre
• 10-27 W Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre

Farmers Insurance Presents "Changed Tour" 2013 dates:

• 1-10 Green Bay, WI Resch Center 
• 1-11 Moline, IL i wireless Center
• 1-12 Springfield, MO JQH Arena
• 1-17 Sioux City, IA Tyson Events Center
• 1-18 Tulsa, OK BOK Center
• 1-19 Wichita, KS INTRUST Bank Arena
• 1-24 Spokane, WA Spokane Arena
• 1-25 Missoula, MT Adams Event Center 
• 1-26 Billings, MT Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark
• 2-7 Terre Haute, IN ISU Hulman Center
• 2-8 Lexington, KY Rupp Arena
• 2-9 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
• 2-14 North Charleston, SC North Charleston Coliseum
• 2-15 Greensboro, NC GreensboroColiseum
• 2-16 Charlottesville, VA John Paul Jones Arena
• 2-23 Pikeville, KY Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center
• 2-24 Youngstown, OH Covelli Centre
• 2-28 Topeka, KS Landon Arena
• 3-1 Jonesboro, AR ASU Convocation Center 
• 3-2 Tupelo, MS BancorpSouth Arena

Dates subject to change

Live Nation is the national tour promoter. Log on to www.rascalflatts.com or www.livenation.com for tour dates and information.

Rascal Flatts receive their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (from the mailbag)

Rascal Flatts were honored with a Star on the famed Walk of Fame by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce during a ceremony held Monday on Hollywood Boulevard.

Rascal Flatts debuted their latest album CHANGED in April this year at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart giving them the distinction of being one of only four acts to have seven consecutive studio albums to debut in the top spot since the inception of Soundscan.

Rascal Flatts is the most awarded vocal group in country music today with over 40 trophies from the American Country Awards, American Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music Association Awards, People's Choice and more. They have placed 14 singles at #1, sold over 21 million albums and 25 million digital downloads since releasing their first album in 2000. The band is one of the hottest acts on tour in any genre, selling well over six million concerts tickets, and counting. They are currently on their Farmers Insurance Presents "Changed Tour" with Little Big Town, and Big Machine Label Group labelmates Eli Young Band and Edens Edge opening through the fall. 

Rascal Flatts' Albuquerque show postponed due to weather, now cancelled completely. Refunds to be given

Rascal Flatts were scheduled to perform last Friday at the Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque Presents The Pavilion, (boy, that's a mouthful), however, the show was postponed due to weather. The show was originally going to be rescheduled but now has been cancelled completely due to scheduling conflicts. 

On Friday, The Pavillion's Facebook had a message that read: 

Rascal Flatts show postponed - we have been advised by weather authorities that extreme wind conditions are forecasted for our area over an extended period of time for the next few hours. Due to latest weather forecast, in the interest of public safety and for the safety of tonight's performers, we regret to inform everyone that tonight's show will unfortunately need to be postponed. Rascal Flatts are working to determine a potential re-scheduled date at this time, so please hold on to your ticket stubs and stay tuned to local radio, news and other media outlets for details on a future show. We apologize for this incovenience. Thank you very much.

The Pavillion's Facebook had a message this morning that unfortunately read: 

RASCAL FLATTS with special guests Little Big Town, Eli Young Band and Edens Edge - ALBUQUERQUE SHOW CANCELLED

Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque Presents The Pavilion regrets to announce that the Rascal Flatts show will not be rescheduled due to scheduling conflicts. Extreme weather conditions in Albuquerque on Friday night caused the Rascal Flatts show to postpone. 

All tickets for the September 7th Albuquerque show will be refunded at point of purchase. Tickets purchased online or via phones will be automatically refunded.

Well that's certainly a bummer. 

Rascal Flatts to receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Star September 17 (from the mailbag)

Photo courtesy RascalFlatts.com

Country music superstars Rascal Flatts will be honored with a Star of the famed Walk of Fame by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce during a ceremony on Monday, September 17 at 11:30a.m. The Star will be located in front of the Sergeant Supply Store at 6664 Hollywood Boulevard.

Rascal Flatts will also appear that evening on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to perform their new Top 15 hit single "Come Wake Me Up."

Rascal Flatts debuted their latest album CHANGED in April this year at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart giving them the distinction of being one of only four acts to have seven consecutive studio albums to debut in the top spot since the inception of Soundscan.

Rascal Flatts is the most awarded vocal group in country music today with over 40 trophies from the American Country Awards, American Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music Association Awards, People's Choice and more. They have placed 14 singles at #1, sold over 21 million albums and 25 million digital downloads since releasing their first album in 2000. The band is one of the hottest acts on tour in any genre, selling well over six million concerts tickets, and counting. They are currently on their Farmers Insurance Presents "Changed Tour" with Little Big Town, and Big Machine Label Group labelmates Eli Young Band and Edens Edge opening through the fall.

UPDATE: After doing a little digging, it seems the boys have been planning this for a while. Back in 2010, it was announced that the trio would be receiving their star in 2011. No word on what the hold up was. 

Vote for Miranda Lambert (or some other country artists) for Billboard's best tour of the year award

November 7-8 in New York is the Billboard Touring Conference & Awards and right now Billboard has a voting section set up for fans to vote for their favorite tour of 2012. 

Several country artists including Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney/Tim McGraw, and Taylor Swift are all nominated. 

Personally I think you should vote for Miranda, but you know, go with your gut. 

Head over here to make your vote count. Just demand the concert you want in your area and the artist with the most Demands will win the Eventful 2012 Fans' Choice Award for "Best Tour of the Year!" Voting is open until 9am PST Friday, October 29, 2012. 

Full list of tours nominated:

Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band 
Brad Paisley 
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band 
Coldplay 
Dave Matthews Band 
Drake 
Elton John 
Guns 'N Roses 
Jason Aldean 
Jay-Z/Kanye West 
Kenny Chesney/Tim McGraw 
Kiss/Motley Crue 
Lady Gaga 
Madonna 
Miranda Lambert 
Nickelback 
One Direction 
Pearl Jam 
Phish 
Rascal Flatts 
Red Hot Chili Peppers 
Rod Stewart 
Roger Waters 
Taylor Swift 
Van Halen

Rascal Flatts preparing to open a chain of restaurants

Photo via RascalFlattsRG.com

Move over Toby Keith because Rascal Flatts are heading into your territory of feeding fans. 

It was announced yesterday that the trio will be opening their first restaurant this year with many more to follow in 2013 and 2014. 

The boys have partnered with restaurant-industry execs Philip Lama and Eric Soe to create a chain of contemporary restaurants that will also serve as live music venues.

The space, which is anticipated to be 14,000 square feet, will seat 163 guests in both indoor and outdoor areas. There will be an exhibition kitchen, raised lounge, and two full-service bars that can sit up to 144 additional guests. 500 guests will be able to stand in front view of a raised stage containing industry-standard premium audio gear and concert-quality lighting. Performers will also have a green room, dressing rooms, and a VIP lounge within the venue.

The first “RF” restaurant will open in Phoenix this year with additional locations including Washington D.C., Columbus, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Raleigh, North Carolina, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Long Island, New York, Charlotte, North Carolina, Tampa, Florida, Boston, Massachusetts, and Madison Wisconsin in 2013 and 2014. 

Rascal Flatts debut new video for 'Come Wake Me Up'

Rascal Flatts debuted their new video for Come Wake Me Up this morning on CMT. Check it out above. If that doesn't work you can also watch it here.