CRS 2020 FEATURED SPEAKER REVEALED: RASCAL FLATTS TO APPEAR AT "RASCAL FLATTS: 20 YEARS OF COUNTRY RADIO SUCCESS"

The Featured Panel, sponsored by CMA, is set For Feb. 19; Rascal Flatts To Reveal 2020 Country Radio Hall of Fame Inductees

Photo Credit: Robby Klein

Superstar vocal group Rascal Flatts has been added to the growing list of high-profile speakers confirmed to appear during Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2020. Rascal Flatts: 20 Years Of Country Radio Success, is set for 4:00pm (CT) on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Nashville’s Omni Hotel, and is sponsored by the Country Music Association (CMA) as its annual featured session at CRS. Sarah Trahern, Chief Executive Officer for CMA, will conduct this in-depth Q&A with the trio. Together, they will share insight into the trio’s monumental 20-year journey, as Rascal Flatts broke down boundaries as true trailblazers in the genre while maintaining a longevity and relevance that continues to propel them to the top of the country radio charts. Prior to the 60-min discussion, Rascal Flatts will also appear at the Opening Ceremonies to reveal the Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

CRB/CRS President of the Board, Kurt Johnson, commented, “Rascal Flatts’ indelible mark on Country music for the past two decades makes this a must-see event for CRS2020. Gary, Jay and Joe Don are among the greatest legends of our genre, and their stories will be riveting.”

With seventeen No. One hits, over 23.4 million albums sold, 35 million digital downloads and 2.2 billion streams worldwide, time and success have only put Rascal Flatts closer to their core with expert musicianship, razor-sharp vocals and songs that have shaped lives, loves and the genre of country music itself. The trio’s Top 20 single “Back To Life” follows back-to-back chart-topping singles “Yours If You Want It” as well as “I Like The Sound Of That.” The group has also earned over 40 trophies from the ACA, ACM, AMA, CMA, People’s Choice and more, also making them the most awarded country group of the past decade. Known as one of the hottest-selling touring acts in any genre, Rascal Flatts has sold over 11 million concert tickets to date. 

“2020 is going to be our 20th Anniversary as a band and is a huge milestone for us,” shared Gary LeVox. “Country radio has been such an important part of our story and so we’re looking forward to reflecting on where it all began and where country radio continues to take us today.” 

About the Country Music Association: Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. In 1961, CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. More than 7,600 music industry professionals and companies from around the globe are members of CMA. The organization’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives: the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a network television special, “CMA Fest”; and “CMA Country Christmas.” All of CMA’s television properties air on the ABC Television Network in the U.S.

RASCAL FLATTS TO START A RIOT WITH SCOTTY MCCREERY

Rascal Flatts is hitting the road with Scotty McCreery on their new headlining RIOT TOUR 2015. The party begins on May 29 in St. Louis and will land in various cities nationwide through the summer.

Before hitting the road for the RIOT TOUR, Rascal Flatts with be setting up shop at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Las Vegas between February 25 and March 14th. Performing with them as support during this residency will be Craig Wayne Boyd, this season's winner of NBC's "The Voice".Stops along the way include the cities below. Check www.RascalFlatts.com for specific dates, times and venues!

Cozumel, MX
Atlanta, GA
Forest City, IA
St. Louis, MO
Indianapolis, IN
Hershey, PA
Virginia Beach, VA
Washington, DC
Hartford, CT
Columbus, OH
Cadott, WI
Dallas, TX
Pittsburgh, PA
Charlotte, NC
Raleigh, NC
Holmdel, NJ
Philadelphia, PA
Boston, MA
Detroit, MI
Brownsville, OR
Toronto, ON
Cleveland, OH
Darien Center, NY
Jones Beach, NY
Cincinnati, OH
Chicago, IL
Albuquerque, NM
Phoenix, AZ
Irvine, CA
Mtn. View, CA
W. Palm Beach, FL
Tampa, FL

CMA CLOSE UP: COUNTRY STARS PAY TRIBUTE TO THEIR MUSIC TEACHERS

By Deborah Evans Price

© 2014 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.

Ask just about anyone in Country Music today and you’ll likely find that music education was a cornerstone in the foundation of their careers.

“People would ask, ‘Why don’t you play basketball? You know you’re tall,’” said Chris Young, with a laugh. “I was like, ‘Well, basketball practice was always at the same time as choir rehearsal.’ Between the two of them, I picked choir and it seems to have worked out.”

Chris Young performs with Nashville School of the Arts students Mignon Grabois and Charley Woods at the 2012 Keep the Music Playing All Stars concert.
Photo Credit: Donn Jones / CMA

“I had a unique opportunity to go to a school for performing arts in Columbus, Ohio, called the Fort Hayes Performing Arts Center,” said Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts. “I had a teacher there named Mary Daniels, who really pushed me to be better than I thought I was. I’d turn in projects and she’d say, ‘It’s good, but you’ve got better inside of you.’ She was actually more a friend to me than just a teacher. She had a way of disarming you to make you feel so comfortable and capable of doing more than you thought you could.”

Jay DeMarcus plays the new grand piano donated to Nashville’s McGavock High School by CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program in 2009.

Photo credit: John Russell / CMA

Like Chris Young, Scotty McCreery learned much from performing with his high school choir. “Our teacher, Meredith Clayton, would take us to New York City, Chicago, Florida and different places for competitions,” he recalled. “She was awesome. She has a big, bubbly personality and a love for music that she passed down to her students. She was all about preparation and putting in the work, and that’s big for Country Music nowadays. If you’re going to be successful, you’ve got to put in the work. Nobody’s going to hand it to you. So I learned a lot of good lessons from her.”

Scotty McCreery performs with students at the 2013 Keep the Music Playing All Stars Concert.

Photo Credit: Donn Jones / CMA

A number of music teachers inspired Sara Evans as she grew up in New Franklin, Missouri. “I was playing clarinet in band,” she said. “I was also in choir. Our two music teachers, Mrs. Burnett and Mrs. Nugent, were both really sweet and fabulous as teachers. Our school was so small that we didn’t even have football, so we would march in the town’s parades. I was always the assistant teacher. Sometimes I would get to direct the band.”

The benefits of music education are a top priority for Evans to pass along to her children, son Avery, 14, and daughter Olivia, 11. She has also lent support to other kids studying music. In 2011, she visited Nashville’s Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School as part of CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program to support public school music education.

Sara Evans visits Nashville’s Pearl-Cohn Entertainment High School in 2011on behalf of CMA’s Keep the Music Playing.

Photo Credit: John Russell / CMA

“That was a really cool experience,” she said. “I learned so much about how they benefit from Keep the Music Playing. It was really cool to see these kids perform and work so hard on these songs and then perform them for us. You could just tell they were so proud and that they were such good friends, just from being in the music program together.”

“It’s really a great way for us as musicians and other people to be able to give back,” agreed Young, who has also participated in programs for KTMP. “It’s a great investment of our time, and it’s great for the kids.”

“I’m so passionate about Keep the Music Playing because I remember as a kid that if I didn’t have music to distract me from some other things, I don’t know where I would have ended up,” DeMarcus added. “It helped me focus a little bit more in school, having music to look forward to in the afternoons.”

McCreery concurs that KTMP is “an awesome program. As a performer and a musician, I hear about the public schools and their budget cuts. A lot of times, the first things they cut are their music and arts programs. But these programs are so vital and important to kids and their upbringing. I couldn’t imagine growing up without having arts and music in my school. Keep the Music Playing and CMA are doing great things for these kids, for their future.”

Half of all CMA Music Festival profits are donated annually to Keep the Music Playing. More information is available at www.CMAworld.com.

MOST MEMORABLE OPRY MOMENTS OF 2012

The Opry never ceases to give us memories that we won't soon forget and 2012 is no different. Below are the top 5 moments that took place on the historic stage.
#1 - Keith Urban Surprise Grand Ole Opry Member Invitation

#2 - RASCAL FLATTS - "HE AIN'T THE LEAVIN' KIND"

#3 - VINCE GILL - "GO REST HIGH ON THAT MOUNTAIN"

#4 - BRAD PAISLEY'S SURPRISE QUESTION TO DARIUS RUCKER

#5 - BARRY GIBB'S OPRY DEBUT - "HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART"

TUNE IN ALERT: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012

Little Big Town shows who really has the "X Factor" tonight as they perform on the show! Tune into Fox and hear what good music sounds like!

Go "Home for Christmas with Rascal Flatts" tonight on CBS! Tune in for some great holiday music from one of country's finest acts. Check your local listings for times and stations in your area.

NEW DVD FROM RASCAL FLATTS AVAILABLE NOW

The BRAND NEW Rascal Flatts DVD All Access and Uncovered: The Making of Changed and Beyond is available in stores NOW!

GET DVD NOW

 

RASCAL FLATTS SHOWS THEIR "STAR" POWER

Rascal Flatts will display their star power permanently for all to see when they are honored for their talent with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Monday, September 17 in Los Angeles. If you're in the area and want to see it yourself, the star will be located in front of the Sergeant Supply Store at 6664 Hollywood Blvd. Walkoffame.com will stream the ceremony live at 11:30am PT. Congratulations guys, well deserved and definitely earned. You keep making country proud!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES TO GARY LEVOX OF RASCAL FLATTS

Happy birthday to Gary LeVox, one-third of one of music's best known and most loved groups, Rascal Flatts. Thank you for giving us the best gift of all, your voice and your talent. We wish you a wonderful day and more days to follow!

VIDEO REWIND: A LOOK BACK AT RASCAL FLATTS AND JOURNEY PERFORMING ON TONIGHT'S 2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS

In case you missed it tonight, here is the phenomenal closing performance of "Banjo/Don't Stop Believing" by Rascal Flatts and Journey. What a fantastic ending to a great awards show. Thank you CMT!

RASCAL FLATTS AND FARMERS INSURANCE WANT TO MAKE YOU STAR FOR A DAY

Rascal Flatts and Farmer's Insurance want you to be "Star For A Day" on the Farmers Insurance Presents "Changed Tour". If you are one of the five winners of the contest, you and your guest will receive concert tickets, a private meet-and-greet with the band, dinner backstage, a private dressing room and a merchandise gift pack. Participants are automatically entered to win the national prize package, which awards a trip for two to the 46th Annual CMA Awards in November.

Learn more and enter here

TOUR DATES: RASCAL FLATTS FEATURING LITTLE BIG TOWN, EDEN'S EDGE AND ELI YOUNG BAND

Below are all current listed dates for the summer 2012 Rascal Flatts Tour. This tour features Little Big Town, Eden's Edge and Eli Young Band on certain dates. Special guest dates are subject to change and/or cancellation.

Appearing at "Bayou Country Superfest"
Sun 05/27/12		Baton Rouge, LA	LSU Tiger Stadium
Fri 06/15/12		Hartford, CT	Comcast Theatre
Sat 06/16/12		Mansfield, MA	Comcast Center
Sat 06/23/12		Bristow, VA	Jiffy Lube Live
Sun 06/24/12		Virginia Beach, VA	Farm Bureau Live At Virginia Beach
Fri 06/29/12		Cuyahoga Falls, OH	Blossom Music Center
Sat 06/30/12		Darien Center, NY	Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
Fri 07/06/12		Bangor, ME	Downtown Bangor / Bangor Waterfront
Appearing at "Cavendish Beach Music Festival"
Sun 07/08/12		Cavendish, PE	Cavendish Beach Music Festival Grounds
Fri 07/13/12		Dallas, TX	Gexa Energy Pavilion
Sat 07/14/12		The Woodlands, TX	The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Fri 07/20/12		Clarkston, MI	DTE Energy Music Theatre
Sun 07/22/12		Cincinnati, OH	Riverbend Music Center
Fri 07/27/12		Maryland Heights, MO	Verizon Wireless Amph. St. Louis
Sat 07/28/12		Tinley Park, IL	First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Appearing at "Oregon Jamboree in Sweet Home"
Fri 08/03/12		Sweet Home, OR	Festival Grounds
Appearing at "Big Valley Jamboree"
Sun 08/05/12		Camrose, AB	Big Valley Jamboree
Thu 08/09/12		Charlotte, NC	Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Fri 08/10/12		Raleigh, NC	Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion
Sat 08/11/12		Camden, NJ	Susquehanna Bank Center
Appearing at "Iowa State Fair"
Sun 08/19/12		Des Moines, IA	Iowa State Fairgrounds Grandstand
Fri 08/31/12		Noblesville, IN	Klipsch Music Center
Sat 09/01/12		Burgettstown, PA	First Niagara Pavilion
Fri 09/14/12		Mountain View, CA	Shoreline Amphitheatre
Sun 09/16/12		Chula Vista, CA	Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
Sat 10/20/12		Atlanta, GA	Aaron's Amphitheatre At Lakewood