Guitarist Joe Don Rooney Apparently Quit Rascal Flatts

There was a time when the vocal trio Rascal Flatts defined the very cutting edge of safe, pallid, mainstream pop country. From the very beginning, they felt more like a contemporary Christian group who recorded secular music as opposed to anything resembling a country act. That’s why the disordered unraveling of the band has been quite shocking.
These days, the assessment of the music of Rascal Flatts has been resuscitated for some through both nostalgia, and from the fact that some of today’s “country” stars such as Dan + Shay have taken what Rascal Flatts started, and somehow have done them one shade softer, and safer. Some now pray for the days when the sanguine, pallid, inoffensive music and frosted tip hairdos of Rascal Flatts were the worst thing you had to interface with in the “country” realm.
But it appears the band will not be coming back, at least any time in the foreseeable future. They first announced a farewell tour in January of 2020, while giving a wink and a nod that they could always return, as is often the case after “farewell” tours. But the tour was subsequently postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, though they still planned to fulfill the dates once the pandemic cleared up.
Now it appears the underlying issue for the band is guitarist Joe Don Rooney. Rascal Flatts was first formed in 1999 in a nightclub in Nashville’s Printer’s Alley district. Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus were second cousins from Columbus, Ohio, and guitarist Joe Don Rooney was from Oklahoma. Rooney filled in one night behind the two relatives, and soon they were performing as a trio.
In a recent interview, lead singer Gary LeVox revealed that the issue with fulfilling the planned farewell tour or any future plans is in fact Rooney.
“I’ve never been OK with the way that it ended. I was never OK with….I wasn’t happy that Joe Don quit. It kind of came out of nowhere,” Gary LeVox said. “It was like, ‘Let me try to wrap my head around this.’ And then I certainly wasn’t OK with the pandemic, which canceled everything. I hate the way that it ended. I hate that we didn’t get to do this farewell tour. I can’t stand the fact that it just feels there’s no closure with something that we’ve been so blessed with. That will always be in my heart.”
Joe Don Rooney was arrested for DUI at 4:00 a.m. September 9th in Franklin, Tennessee after crashing his vehicle into a tree. At the time many wondered why someone of his wealth and stature would be driving drunk. But there might be more underlying concerns. Normally after such an incident by a public figure, you would expect a public apology. But now over five weeks later, none has come. In fact, Joe Don Rooney has deleted his social media profiles, and gone dark.
“I have not talked to him,” Gary LeVox says of Joe Don Rooney. “And I was heartbroken too. But you know what? I think God gets your attention in different ways. I just wish him the best and I hope he gets everything that he needs to get well and take care of whatever issues he’s got going on. There’s power in prayer.”
Gary LeVox has subsequently launched a career in contemporary Christian music, recently releasing a new single “Working on Sunday,” with an album on the way and a planned tour for 2022. Bass player/singer Jay DeMarcus started a side venture in 2019 called Red Street Records and appointed himself CEO. He’s since been pouring himself full tilt into the project.
Meanwhile, no matter what you think about the music of Rascal Flatts, or their notorious hairdos, you can’t help but worry about Joe Don Rooney who has not been seen or heard from since August 25th when he appeared at the ACM Honors gala at the Ryman Auditorium.
October 14, 2021 @ 9:35 am
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October 14, 2021 @ 2:59 pm
I support Joe Don in these difficult times God bless
October 14, 2021 @ 9:42 am
Bummer. And my day was going so good until I received this tragic news.
October 14, 2021 @ 9:50 am
“Fast Cars and Freedom” indeed!
October 14, 2021 @ 10:15 am
Fecund filth is decreased by a third. More, less or the same pointless rot?
October 16, 2021 @ 1:15 am
Joe don is a dickhead!! I have always loved rascal. but have always tho Joe don was an arrogant bastard..
October 14, 2021 @ 10:21 am
I was never a huge fan of them but my daughters were so I took them to see them a couple times in Nashville during their heydays and have to say they are very talented and put on a great live show.
October 14, 2021 @ 10:50 am
Have friends in nuc. med. who traveled with a cardiologist out of OKC.
Had lasagna dinner for us one Wednesday evening, when they were out in Guymon.
Have a dedicated gamma camera at the hospital.
When Oklahoma Heart came out, they often brought a portable gamma camera with – until we took over their operations, running their patients through our dept.
After we ate, had some wine, the nuc. med. tech & paramedic she was traveling with helped themselves to a few bottles of Shiner Bock bottles, another rad. tech had left in the frig.
Walked out to the van, told them – give me the beers. I don’t trust you guys not to drink on the 4 hr. trip back to the city.
They laughed, said they wouldn’t.
My friend lost her nuclear license, because that night, she rear ended a car at a stoplight. DUI. Automatic loss of med. license. As well as it should be.
She went completely dark, taking down all social media sites, after.
Thought, what a waste. All the years of school, hard work.
Hope Mr. Rooney is getting his act together.
October 14, 2021 @ 12:15 pm
Brutal. The Dark Lord giveth, the Dark Lord taketh away.
October 15, 2021 @ 8:09 am
you should also receive an automatic loss of your medical license for posting medical conspiracy theories on a country music forum. moreso than getting a DUI.
October 15, 2021 @ 8:59 am
Throw down, gentile. : D
Take it away from me – come & get it.
October 15, 2021 @ 9:12 am
Enough, you two. This is an article about Rascal Flatts.
October 25, 2021 @ 6:09 am
Some crazy medical theories end up winning Nobel prizes. You should be careful about what theories you condemn.
October 14, 2021 @ 10:53 am
Joe Don Rooney always seemed kind of the outlier in the group. Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus have always had an affiliation with comtemporary Christian music. Gary sings and and Jay has been involved on the performing and production side.
And Joe Don? Marries a former playboy playmate, then photos her in the nude. Just kind of seemed he didn’t fit. And with the DUI, seems to continue. Not a negative comment, just an observation. Hope he gets well. Seems like there are problems he desires to keep hidden. Nothing wrong with that.
October 14, 2021 @ 1:25 pm
And recall, it was Joe Don who flashed his rear in the “I Melt” music video too. I also hope that he is okay after his DUI.
February 27, 2022 @ 9:54 pm
hi holly my name is robbie wyrick i want to know i love rascal flatts so much i hope he he come back with gary levox and jay of rascal flatts
October 14, 2021 @ 10:57 am
Always referred to RF as country “In Sync”. Growing up in Christian and country music, it makes sense Gary has gone christian. Not judging, still listen and enjoy both genres. Sorry to hear about Joe Don and hope he figures out life.
October 14, 2021 @ 11:29 am
Little off topic here, but you did mention contemporary Christian music. I had a realization listening to Ruston Kelly the other day. He sounds a lot like Christian contemporary rock. It sounds like he’s taken a lot from the sound and put pretty good lyrics onto it and rebranded it “dirt emo.” Anyone see it this way? This is by no means an insult to RK. I like the music. Not big on rascal flats at all, but just sounding contemporary christiany alone doesn’t amount to an insult to me anymore. It can be done in a way that is cool.
October 15, 2021 @ 7:50 am
I agree, RK reminds me a bit of Jars Of Clay
October 14, 2021 @ 11:50 am
Still better than Amanda Shires.
October 14, 2021 @ 1:32 pm
The same Amanda Shires who was playing fiddle with The Texas Playboys at age 15? Different strokes for different folks but I wanted to take a cheese grater to my ears the first time I heard Rascal Flatts and the Texas Playboys have always made my toes go a tap tap tappin’!
October 14, 2021 @ 4:20 pm
I scrolled quickly by your comment, mis-reading your handle as “ALDEAN AMERICA.” I scrolled back, wondering what kind of MAVERICK would have such a monicker.
Having read your comment, a question:
How would you feel about changing your handle to “ALDEAN AMERICA?”
It fits, is all.
October 14, 2021 @ 4:29 pm
Why Kevin? Because you dig Amanda’s bird like warble and the sound of dying cats?
October 14, 2021 @ 5:09 pm
No. Because I think you’re probably into Jason Aldean.
October 15, 2021 @ 3:40 pm
Think that Kevin is a libtard with a feeble to be E D G Y and diss you.????????????
October 16, 2021 @ 6:54 am
Nice try, but no.
October 14, 2021 @ 12:22 pm
I came to the comments because I could sense an absolutely batshit crazy Di Harris reply. Was not disappointed.
October 14, 2021 @ 1:03 pm
“Barlos” aka, all of the other names you use on this site.
Have not addressed this before, but addressing it now.
That you are a complete loser, is your choice.
That a lot of us who frequent this site are quite successful in our lives, is because we choose to be.
Cry some more.
That you also feel quite inferior to women is apparent, as well.
October 14, 2021 @ 3:03 pm
I liked your comment.
October 14, 2021 @ 4:58 pm
Sorry Jake,
My comment to you is further down this thread …
Probably, my bad
October 14, 2021 @ 3:28 pm
Di Harris is the one person I’d like to go to a concert with from the comments section.
October 14, 2021 @ 3:49 pm
You’re going to make me cry. That is so sweet.
If by chance your people & i happen to meet at a concert someday, um … somebody somewhere that we know & trust, will probably need to have bail money handy.
I have a fast mouth & can generally talk myself out of anything with the boys in blue.
HOWEVER, HOPTOWN. If we meet up at a concert, i’m slamming back a few tequilas, kicking back, and enjoying the concert.
Going to count on you to “get us out of this mess/jam/brouhaha.”
Actually, will help you kick some tail, but the bulk of it will be on you.
You’re a guy – you have bigger muscles
October 15, 2021 @ 3:55 am
15 likes as of 6:54 AM Eastern. Hmm.
October 14, 2021 @ 1:14 pm
hmmm ..just tryin’ to get ”up to speed ” here .
so The Rascal Flatts were a country band ? and they broke up but no one knew ?
ok …got it .
October 14, 2021 @ 1:43 pm
Timing is everything. The Dixie Chicks were the top group when these guys were getting started. Controversy dethroned the DC’s and RF’s ascended to the winners circle. While the Chicks were amazing on every level these guys had nothing to offer and were unlistenable and hard to look at. One of many country success stories that eludes me, but none more glaring.
October 14, 2021 @ 2:13 pm
Good riddance to these Disney chumps.
October 14, 2021 @ 2:19 pm
If Rascal Fats breaks up, call it another step in the name of this blog.
October 14, 2021 @ 3:03 pm
I’m pretty sure they have been basically broken up since the spring. But since it’s been so messy, there really hasn’t been any sort of public pronouncement. These quotes from Gary LeVox are as close as we’ve gotten. One of the reasons I chose to cover this story is because there’s really just not much on this situation out there about a band that basically dominated popular country for about a decade.
October 14, 2021 @ 4:16 pm
All good, Cuz. Failed at making a small joke.
I’m thankful for your journalism, because I find out stuff from you. (Plus, you’ve plugged my interviews on *FTM*.
Jokes aside, I hope DUI dude gets help. There but for the Grace of Our Lord go I.
But if a pop country band dies, we all live.
October 14, 2021 @ 2:43 pm
I never cared for them, I am sure most readers of this site dont like them. The fact is just as many people did and do like them than like the stuff we like if not more. To each his own, seem like good guys, hope he gets his issues worked out.
October 14, 2021 @ 3:34 pm
Thanks, Jake.
Hate to hurt people. But sometimes enough is enough
October 14, 2021 @ 3:37 pm
“At the time many wondered why someone of his wealth and stature would be driving drunk.”
This cracked me up.
October 14, 2021 @ 4:23 pm
“Everything in moderation.”
— Ben Franklin, Founding Sperming Person
October 14, 2021 @ 7:12 pm
Good birthing person of god don’t use the word “founding” because problematic.
October 14, 2021 @ 5:35 pm
Hmmm, back when the news of them breaking up was on here, most people were a lot nicer to them.
They were a fun band in their day, but should have stopped years ago.
And no one has mentioned their song Sarabeth. An absolute classic country song that redeems them for a lot.
Not sure if it redeems running into a tree, but no one was hurt, there is a lot worse people can do in their private life.
I won’t miss them, but I will go back and listen to them missing Mayberry
October 14, 2021 @ 6:05 pm
Lol! Everyone held it together for one good send off. No one’s happy to see another article about them this soon.
October 14, 2021 @ 6:22 pm
For some “guy” to say he is “heartbroken” because someone he knows wrecked a car confirms all the worst thoughts (and there are LOTS of them) I ever had about those . . . “sensitive boys.”
October 14, 2021 @ 9:51 pm
I was never a fan, but I hope everything gets better for all of them and maybe they can sing together again. Like when the oak ridge boys fired william lee golden, and no one thought they would settle their differences and get back together , well 9 years later, in 1996, William Lee came back. They are still together singing better than ever, so you never know what the future will hold for Flatts, but I hope it will all work out for them.
October 14, 2021 @ 10:48 pm
in other words they wanted to sell this bland pop album as country, since its not good enough to on pop radio, and now its cutting down the profits not being accepted as country and everyones butthurt
October 15, 2021 @ 6:09 am
Maybe Joe Don should have married an ugly woman. “If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, never make a pretty woman your wife. From my personal point of view, get an ugly girl to marry you.”
October 15, 2021 @ 8:16 am
I attempted to hate them. If “Melt” comes on…I know every word. I’d rather have them over Dan+ShAT.
October 15, 2021 @ 1:57 pm
And in China, a bag of rice fell over…
who cares?
May Joe Don use Lyft in the future, may Gary croak another Hallelujah lullaby, and last but not least may Jay produce more Crap (sorry Crabb)…
December 30, 2021 @ 9:31 pm
I feel bad for Joe Don Rooney. He is a human being as are the other 2 members are. Many of the comments about Rascal Flatts here prove how hateful and mean our society is today. Yes, people are entitled to their opinions, but let’s try and be more respectful of our fellow human beings whether we care for their music or not as in this case.
Joe Don is obviously in a dark place in his life and I wish him the best and hope life straightens out for him. May God bless him, Jay and Gary in their new life adventures.
Happy New Year everyone. Let’s all try to be nicer to our fellow humans in 2022 and promote unity instead of division and bickering. We all have to live on this round ball called earth together and share the space. We can either make each other’s lives miserable or better with our output…each individual’s choice. God bless everyone and stay healthy!
March 15, 2022 @ 11:48 am
Yes, your contempt for a hit group is pretty clear.