Unstoppable ~ #1 Across the Nation

Wouldn't it be nice to read stats like this again with the release of Nothing Like This next month? This is a post from Rascal Flatts last year that Joe Don had referenced in his second blog on MySpace.

Rascal Flatts are #1 Across the Nation | 04.15.2009

Accolades pour in with #1 selling CD Unstoppable and #1 single “Here Comes Goodbye”

Any way you look at it, Rascal Flatts is #1! Today the band’s new CD Unstoppable opened at #1 on the Nielsen Soundscan Top 200 and Country charts with 351,000 units sold, making it the top selling CD across all genres of music. This marks Rascal Flatts’ fourth consecutive studio album opening atop the Top 200 chart, more than any other country artist in the history of Soundscan. This also establishes Rascal Flatts fourth consecutive debut at the top of the Nielsen Soundscan Country Top 75 sales chart. With 351,000 units sold, Unstoppable is also the biggest country release of 2009 and the biggest country first week sales since Taylor Swift’s Fearless in November 2008. The chart-topping sales also qualify it as the second biggest unit debut of the year for all genres, behind only U2s No Line On The Horizon.

Included in the first week sales for Rascal Flatts’ Unstoppable are more than 58,000 digital album units, making it the top selling digital album in all genres this week, outselling the #2 digital album by 2 to 1. Unstoppable is the band’s biggest selling digital album debut on record and the second highest country digital debut in the history of Nielsen Soundscan. The project sold an additional 118,000 in individual track downloads with the #1 smash single “Here Comes Goodbye” taking the lead as the most downloaded song from the album. 555,000 individual track downloads have been sold to date.

At the same time Unstoppable opens at #1, the project’s lead single “Here Comes Goodbye” is also the #1 country single in America and the band’s eleventh #1 single. When the song was released to iTunes last month it broke the record for the largest first week digital scans for a country debut single with 126,000 copies sold. Rascal Flatts also make a cameo appearance in the nation’s #1 movie, Hannah Montana: The Movie. In addition, Rascal Flatts was recently awarded their seventh consecutive ACM Vocal Group of the Year trophy, making them the most awarded group in the category.

Tomorrow Rascal Flatts will appear on Late Show with David Letterman and Fox News Channel’s Hannity, rounding out a week that also included stops at Ellen and Dancing With The Stars.

Unstoppable, co-produced by Dann Huff and Rascal Flatts, is the band’s first studio album since 2007’s multi-platinum Still Feels Good and their fourth consecutive CD to top the Nielsen Soundscan all genre Top 200 chart.

Since their career launched in 2000, Rascal Flatts has sold close to 20 million albums, scored 10 #1 singles and 18 top 10 hits and each of their five studio albums are multi-platinum sellers. They are the reigning AMA, CMT, PCA, ACM and CMA Vocal Group of The Year and were honored as the 2008 Academy of Country Music/The Home Depot® Humanitarian Award recipients. This honor, in part, due to their dedication to raising funds for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, where in the past 4 years they have donated 3 million dollars, as well as their work on the American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet board.

FACTS
Unstoppable is the top selling CD across all genres of music this week
Unstoppable is Rascal Flatts fourth consecutive studio album to debut at #1 on the Top 200 chart, more than any other country artist in the history of Soundscan
Unstoppable is the biggest country release of the year
Unstoppable is the biggest selling digital album of the week
Unstoppable is Rascal Flatts’ biggest selling digital album debut on record and the second highest country digital debut in the history of Nielsen Soundscan
“Here Comes Goodbye” is the #1 country single this week
When “Here Comes Goodbye” was released to iTunes last month it broke the record for the largest first week digital scans for a country debut single with 126,000 copies sold.

Rascal Flatts Partners with Jason Foundation

Rascal Flatts was named as celebrity spokesman for The Jason Foundation (JFI), a group dedicated to suicide prevention among youth.

In addition to their roles in public service announcements, public awareness programs and fundraising, the group will also promote the foundation's newly created "B1" Project.

The "B1" Project is a nationwide effort specifically geared to educate youth and students on how to recognize when a friend might be struggling with thoughts of suicide or life in general, and how to help. The theme is "Someone you know may need a friend - B 1".

As a part of their ambassador role, Rascal Flatts will be directly involved in this project through a widespread media and social networking campaign. The campaign will include public service announcements, poster distribution to schools and Facebook initiatives. Rascal Flatts will also be showing their public service announcements during concerts throughout their "Nothing Like This Tour," which launches June 25 in Raleigh, N.C.

"Having been personally affected by suicide," said Jay DeMarcus, "it's important for me to do all that we can to create more awareness and prevention, particularly with teenagers. We are proud to be partners with the Jason Foundation, and we are looking forward to doing our part in trying to help them save even more lives."

"We look forward to helping give people the right tools to recognize the signs," said Gary LeVox. "Our youth need to know they have options and there are people that want to help them."

The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is an educational organization dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. JFI believes that awareness and education are the first steps to prevention and focuses on establishing a Triangle of Prevention by providing students, parents and teachers/youth workers the tools and resources to help them identify and assist at-risk youth. This is accomplished through a series of programs and services that focus on information about the awareness and prevention of youth suicide.

For more information about Rascal Flatts and Jason Foundation please click on the banner below.

Rascal Flatts To Receive Star

As posted on Rascal Flatts Fan Club...

Chosen for Hollywood Star!
posted 06.17.2010 by Vanessa West

RASCAL FLATTS CHOSEN FOR STAR ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME

Nashville - (June 17, 2010) - It was announced today that vocal group Rascal Flatts was chosen for a 2011 star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by the Walk of Fame Committee of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The band was selected from hundreds of nominations sent to the committee at a meeting held earlier this week.

“I am at such a loss for words that I can't even describe how I feel,” says lead singer Gary LeVox. “What a great honor and symbol of accomplishment. To have only wanted to make music since childhood this far exceeds any expectations I ever had. I am so humbled and grateful to God for all of his blessings and this amazing gift He's given us called music. Thanks to all who made this possible, especially our family and fans for making a dream a reality. You really can touch a star!”

“There are only a few things I can think of that are as big of an honor as receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” shared Jay DeMarcus, background vocalist and bass player. “I am so humbled, filled with gratitude and completely overcome with emotion.... I guess we've really done something afterall...”

Lead guitarist and background vocalist Joe Don Rooney said, "This is the kind of stuff you dream of growing up as a kid. Having our name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has to be one of the coolest things that's ever happened to Rascal Flatts. I'm honored and completely humbled."

Additional 2011 musical recipients include Melissa Etheridge, Los Tigres Del Norte, the Go-Go’s, Slash, Will i Am, and Bebe & Cece Winans and posthumously Buddy Holly and Louis Prima. And more celebrities from motion pictures, television and live performance theatre were also named.

Date of the presentation for Rascal Flatts has not yet been determined and will be announced at another time.

Reba and Rascal Flatts Added to The Greenbrier Classic Concert Series

The Greenbrier
Press Release

The Greenbrier Classic, sure to be the most exciting event on this year's PGA TOUR is now even more incredible. Country music icon Reba and the award-winning Rascal Flatts will perform on Thursday, July 29th as part of the inaugural Greenbrier Classic. On Saturday, July 31st, superstars Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will take the stage for another incredible evening. These legendary musicians will perform in a private concert for Classic attendees and participants, as access to the concert is included with the purchase of a weekly badge. A new outdoor amphitheater is currently under construction at the State Fair of West Virginia and will be the setting for both tournament concerts.

On Friday, June 18, The Greenbrier will offer two new ways to purchase tickets. Purchase weekly grounds badge for only $69 and receive a ticket to the Reba and Rascal Flatts concert. Or, select a weekly grounds badge and the Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood concert on Saturday for only $79. Concert seating is general admission/festival seating with these two options. The best value remains the $147 weekly grounds badge with preferred seating for both concerts and other benefits including a $99 accommodation rate for a future Greenbrier stay. With the $147 grounds badge, purchasers will also receive a round of golf on The Greenbrier Course for $100 or a complimentary round on the Meadows as well as a 15% discount on Greenbrier Classic merchandise. A limited number of tickets are available and in 10 days, these tickets will go on sale through Ticketmaster, Live Nation, at all Kroger stores and United Bank branches throughout the state. Purchases may also be made online at www.greenbrierclassic.com or at the The Greenbrier Classic Official Tournament shop at the resort. A portion of the proceeds from all ticket sales will benefit local and regional charities.

“We fully expect a sell-out. The Greenbrier Classic is going to be the biggest and greatest event on the PGA TOUR this year, hands down, and these prices are the best you will find on the TOUR,” said Jim Justice, owner and chairman of the resort. “Reba and Gary, Joe Don and Jay are phenomenal artists and together, with all the other aspects of the tournament, this will definitely be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

The Thursday and Saturday concerts will be held at a new amphitheater at the State Fairgrounds. This new outdoor facility, currently under construction, will accommodate over 50,000 spectators. The stage will be approximately 130’ wide, 70’ deep and 70’ tall, allowing any sized national artist the flexibility to design their own show.

One of the most successful female recording artists in history, Reba has sold over 55 million albums worldwide and her previous 13 studio albums have all achieved Gold or Platinum-plus status. She has won 15 American Music Awards; 12 Academy of Country Music Awards; 9 People’s Choice Awards; 7 Country Music Association Awards and 2 GRAMMY Awards. Reba’s reign of #1 hits spans four decades and the multimedia superstar was recently recognized by Billboard, Country Aircheck and Mediabase as the biggest female hit-maker in country music history. Also an acclaimed film, TV and Broadway actress, Reba signed with The Valory Music Co. in November 2008 and released, KEEP ON LOVING YOU, the next year. The album became Reba’s first solo studio album to debut at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart and produced the four-week #1 smash, “Consider Me Gone.” Reba’s label move reunited the multimedia entertainer with industry leader Scott Borchetta, now President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group, which includes Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co. and Republic Nashville.

Since their inception in 1999, Rascal Flatts has helped change the face of popular music. Their trademark sound--Gary LeVox's powerfully emotive lead vocals coupled with the soaring harmonies of Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney, set amid world-class arrangements and production, have made the band the standard bearers for cutting-edge country. They have placed 10 #1 singles and 20 Top Tens and each of their studio albums have gone multi-platinum with total sales approaching 19 million. They have been named the ACM and CMA top vocal group every year since 2003 and have won numerous American Music Awards and People’s Choice Awards. The three are committed family men who take seriously their role in the community. They are known for their charitable efforts, which have included raising millions of dollars for charities including the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and for their work on the celebrity cabinet board of the American Red Cross.

Rascal Flatts to Perform National Anthem at Kentucky Derby 136 on Saturday, May 1

I LOVE to read such glowing press releases... IK everyone knows that they will be performing the National Anthem @ the Kentucky Derby but this is just so positive .... I LOVE IT!!! Rascal Flatts promised this would be an awesome year and it really has started out in a grand way.

Press Release Source: Churchill Downs Incorporated On Thursday April 22, 2010, 5:37 pm EDT

LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 22, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The most awardedgroup in country music this decade, Rascal Flatts, will help ChurchillDowns continue the newest Kentucky Derby Day tradition when the trio performs the national anthem live on Saturday, May 1, prior to the running of the 136th Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands. The performance will be broadcast by NBC Sports as part of the network's live coverage of Kentucky Derby 136 from 4-7 p.m. EDT.

Additionally, Churchill Downs will initiate a new element within theKentucky Oaks Day program when the Grammy Award-nominated quartetLittle Big Town performs the national anthem live prior to the running of the Kentucky Oaks, the Derby's sister race for 3-year-old fillies.

"The Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks are world-class entertainment events, and we are thrilled to partner with Rascal Flatts, one of the most popular and successful country music acts in history, on what we know will be an exceptional performance of "The Star Spangled Banner,"said Julie Koenig Loignon, vice president of brand development and marketing for the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs Incorporated. "The Kentucky Derby is steeped in tradition, and last year we added to that rich collage by including the first-ever live performance of the national anthem by an internationally known recording artist. This new element of the Derby experience was an instant hit and was warmly embraced by Derby fans. We are confident that country music's hottest trio will deliver an unforgettable performance for the 150,000-plusfans listening in person at Churchill Downs as well as the millions of viewers at Derby parties world wide watching the Kentucky Derby on NBCSports with their family and friends.

"The Kentucky Oaks is growing in national prominence, and we are excited to introduce a new musical element to our Oaks Day program with up-and-comers Little Big Town," Koenig Loignon continued. "The foursome was recently nominated by the Academy of Country Music for the award 'Vocal Group of the Year,' a distinction also given to Rascal Flatts.We welcome these tremendously talented performers to Churchill Downsand look forward to the special contribution they will make to Derby weekend."

Rascal Flatts' Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney have kicked off 2010 with a bang as they celebrate 10 years of making great musictogether, becoming one of the hottest touring acts and the top country group of the new millennium. Rascal Flatts has delivered 11 No. 1singles to the top of the chart and has more titles in Billboard's Top100 Songs of the Decade than any other group in the format. In the last decade, Rascal Flatts has sold more than 20 million albums and 25 million digital downloads. All six of their studio albums made Billboard's Top 100 Country Albums of the Decade listing.

As the most-awarded country group of the new millennium, Rascal Flatts has claimed nearly 40 trophies from the Academy of Country Music,American Music Awards, Country Music Association, People's Choice Awards and more. In concert, Rascal Flatts continues to be one of the hottest touring acts of the decade with more venue attendance records than any other country act. The band has played 400 dates as a headline act and 700 total performances since 2000, with a ticket tally of nearly six million. Among these shows were three consecutively sold-out performances at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Rascal Flattsis also the first and only country music act to sell out the famed Wrigley Field in Chicago. To learn more about the record-breaking trio, visit http/www.hyfntrak.com/rascal10year/

For the complete article visit Yahoo

Rascal Flatts is Celebrating 10 Years 2000-2010

RASCAL FLATTS are celebrating 10 years of success! 2010 marks their tenth year anniversary of being a band. We created a special website to celebrate their anniversary.

... read the entire press release that went out today.

Nashville- January 4, 2010 – RASCAL FLATTS’ Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney are kicking off 2010 with a bang as they mark not only the beginning of a new decade but also celebrate ten years of making great music together, becoming one of the hottest touring acts and the top country group of the new millennium.

It started in 2000 with the release of Rascal Flatts first single, “Prayin’ For Daylight,” and self-titled debut album. Fast forward ten years and Rascal Flatts has delivered 11 #1 singles to the top of the chart and have more titles in Billboard’s Top 100 Songs of the Decade than any other group in the format. Over ten years the band has sold more than 20 million albums and 25 million digital downloads while all six of their studio albums make Billboard’s Top 100 Country Albums of the Decade listing. Rascal Flatts’ Me And My Gang and Feels Like Today also make an appearance on Billboard’s all-genre Top 200 Albums of the Decade chart.

As the most awarded country group of the new millennium Rascal Flatts has brought home nearly 40 trophies from the Academy of Country Music, American Music Awards, Country Music Association, People’s Choice Awards and more. Over the last ten years Rascal Flatts have performed for the President and Oprah and taken the stage at American Idol, Dancing With The Stars, Ellen DeGeneres, Good Morning America, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Today Show,The Tonight Show and many, many more. They’ve celebrated the holidays with us as part of Christmas in Washington, CBS Fourth of July special Boston Pops Firework Spectacular and Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting in addition to appearing in numerous television commercials for JC Penney, Hershey’s and Wendy’s.

Gary, Jay and Joe Don have traveled to visit U.S. troops in Iraq on a USO Tour and partnered with the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee to raise over 3 million dollars in the past few years

In concert, Rascal Flatts continues to be one of the hottest touring acts of the decade with more venue attendance records than any other country act. They have played 400 dates as a headline act, 700 total since 2000, with a ticket tally of nearly 6 million. Among these shows includes 3 consecutive sold-out performances at Madison Square. The band also holds the status as the first and only country music act to sell out Wrigley Field.

Through out the new year, Rascal Flatts will mark this milestone with the people who have contributed to the band’s first decade of success. Fans can visit http/www.hyfntrak.com/rascal10year/ to learn the latest offerings and celebrations. So save the date and celebrate with Rascal Flatts!

The above press release was found at Rascal Flatts