Rascal Flatts photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

All three members of Rascal Flatts are fathers and all of them have at least one little girl at home. Jay DeMarcus, who became a first-time father to daughter Madeline 15 months ago, says being a dad to his little girl has completely transformed him.

Watch Rascal Flatts perform “I’ll Be Home For Christmas!” >>

“It’s been probably my most transformative year as far as a person goes and I’m thrilled, I’m overwhelmed and I’m very grateful for the gift of Madeline,” he said. “She has really caused me to grow up a lot in a very short amount of time. I am so proud that she’s mine and so grateful for her every day, and she gives me new purpose and gives everything that I do new purpose.”

Joe Don Rooney is enjoying watching his little girl, Raquel, who goes by the nickname Rocky, interact with her older brother Jagger, who is three. He is also getting a kick out of watching her personality – and preference for toys – develop. Continue Reading

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Keith Urban, Lauren Alaina & Martina McBride perform on ABC's CMA Country Christmas, the concert special airing Thursday, December 1 at 9/8 CT.

Country stars not only performed some of their favorite Christmas songs during the CMA Country Christmas concert special that airs tonight at 9/8c on ABC, they also revealed some of their favorite family Christmas traditions during fireside chats that will air throughout the special.

Lauren Alaina and her mother Kristy Suddeth shared that one of their family traditions is decorating their home for the holidays. “We go all out,” Lauren said. “We’re serious about our Christmas decorations. When they don’t work, we are mad.” Lauren also confessed that she snoops for her presents before Christmas Day.

When Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook was young, he and his siblings would pile up together on mattresses and blankets on the floor of what he called the family’s ‘little bitty house.’ “That is harmony,” he said. “That is family. That is what Christmas is all about.”

See photos from CMA Country Christmas! >>

Martina McBride’s three daughters, Ava–6, Emma–13, and Delaney–16, joined Martina for her fireside chat. The McBride ladies shared their favorite Christmas recipe. “We have a weird salad we make,” Martina said, revealing the ingredients to be a jar of pimento cheese, a can of pineapple, half a bag of marshmallows, and a carton of Cool Whip all mixed  together. “It’s so good!” she said. Continue Reading

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Country music stars sure love Twitter! Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney shows of his and son Jag’s father-son Halloween costume, Chris Young makes a Halloween mistake, Jake Owen teases his ‘scandalous’ new video and Blake Shelton turns serious to reflect on the song he and Miranda Lambert wrote about his brother. Here are our picks for the Top 10 Country Tweets Of The Week.

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/JoeDonRooney

Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts – JoeDonRooney: Big Buzz & Lil Buzz!

Chris Young – ChrisYoungMusic: That awkward moment when you think a girl is dressed up for Halloween, but really she just has bad make-up.

Angaleena Presley of Pistol Annies – GuitarLeena: Today, me, holler Annie, hillbilly extraordinaire, chilled with TI and Kid Rock… Dang. Country girls can survive. And hang with rappers…

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/BradPaisley

Brad Paisley – BradPaisley: Went and spoke at my friend John Lasseter’s Hollywood walk of fame star ceremony. Then I fixed Mater’s radiator. Continue Reading

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Country music stars sure love Twitter! In this week’s edition, Joey + Rory are getting into the Christmas spirit a little early, Charlie Daniels mourns the loss of a close friend, Julianne Hough returns to the Dancing With The Stars stage, and Tom McMillan of Tom’s Wild Life learns something new. Here are our picks for the Top 10 Country Tweets Of The Week.

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/JoeyandRory.

Joey + Rory – JoeyandRory: Someone’s excited that our new Christmas album is now up and available on iTunes!

Charlie Daniels: CharlieDaniels: Last night I lost one of my oldest and dearest friends when Taz DiGregorio was killed in a car wreck. It’s a sad, sad time for me.

Miranda Lambert – Miranda_Lambert: Yes…my husband just did the moonwalk on national television:)

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/BlakeShelton.

Blake Shelton – BlakeShelton: And THIS is why I check inside my boots every morning.. Welcome to southern Oklahoma!!! Continue Reading

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Opry General Manager Pete Fisher, Opry member Little Jimmy Dickens, Joe Don Rooney, Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts. Photo by Chris Hollo, courtesy of Schmidt Relations.

Rascal Flatts is officially the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. With the help of Little Jimmy Dickens, the trio was inducted into the Opry family on October 8, the same night the Opry celebrated its 86th birthday. Vince Gill surprised the band with an invitation to join the Opry during their performance on September 27.

Watch the Video of Their Invitation >>

“The Opry has had such a special place in my heart for such a long time,” Gary LeVox said. “I mean even before we were artists and musicians we were children growing up, you know, our grandparents, our mothers and fathers were big fans of the Opry. We had no idea if this was ever going to happen. But when Vince came out a couple weeks ago when we were onstage it was really shocking, it was mind blowing, so humbling and we’re so honored and proud to be a part of this legacy. There is no bigger pinnacle than the Grand Ole Opry. It is country music.”

“We are humbled by this,” Joe Don Rooney said. “We are absolutely blown away by this and we can’t wait to see what the future has in store with us through the Opry. Tonight is a great platform from which to set sail.” Continue Reading

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Rascal Flatts is invited to join the Opry by member Vince Gill. Photo by Chris Hollo, courtesy of Schmidt Relations.

The most awarded country group of the past decade, Rascal Flatts, was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry this evening by Opry member Vince Gill.  The vocal group– Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney– will be formally inducted into the Opry family during the Opry’s 86^th birthday weekend, Sat., Oct. 8. The show will air live at 8 p.m. Central on GAC: Great American Country. Watch footage of the invitation below: Continue Reading

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Rascal Flatts photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

Fans who have been to a Rascal Flatts show know lead singer Gary LeVox hits a lot of big notes throughout their set. On the band’s Flatts Fest tour, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney are taking over some of the vocals to give Gary a little bit of a break.

“You know Gary, God love him, he sings in the clouds all night long,” Jay said. “And we get into rehearsals and what looks good on paper sometimes he’ll look at us and go ‘Y’all gotta give me a break at some point. I mean, I’m screaming my guts out. You know it’s gonna be a hundred degrees.’”

Watch Rascal Flatts’ new video, “Easy,” now! >> Continue Reading

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Rascal Flatts photo courtesy of Big Machine Records. Photo credit Chapman Baehler.

Rascal Flatts has been through a lot of changes in the last year, including signing with Big Machine Records after their former label, Lyric Street, closed its doors. The group likes the new version of themselves and feel they are better and stronger than ever. “We’re not the same three people we were a year ago,” Jay DeMarcus said.

Following changes in their professional lives, the trio sat down together and asked some tough questions – ‘Do we still love this? Is this still something that we have passion for and we want to try to keep getting better at and being better than we were the day before?’ Fortunately for their fans, the answer was a resounding ‘yes.’ Continue Reading

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Country music stars sure love Twitter! Here at GAC, we follow them too. This week, Chuck Wicks showed off his latest ‘trophy,’ Scotty McCreery came to a realization and the fellows of Emerson Drive shared a peek into their future – of sorts. Here are our picks for the Top 10 Country Tweets Of The Week.

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/ChuckWicksMusic

Chuck Wicks – @ChuckWicksMusic: 12ft 700lbs plus!!! With a Bow!!! Wow!!

Josh Thompson – @TheJoshThompson: Wrote with the guy who wrote “Oh Mickey”! I couldn’t help but sing that song and clap, all day. I think he got angry.

Storme Warren – @StormeWarren: Indy car engines sound like the cicadas in my yard. Only not as loud. Continue Reading

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Rascal Flatts photo courtesy of Big Machine Records. Photo credit Chapman Baehler.

When you’re as busy as Rascal Flatts, downtime becomes a precious commodity. Right now, the trio is enjoying some of that time off in between tours. They’re using it to spend time with family and catch up on hobbies – some of which are music-related, despite being away from the stage and studio. That downtime is necessary for them to stay on top of their game when their “day job” resumes.

“I love to play golf,” said Joe Don Rooney. “I love to write and create music in my own time away from Rascal Flatts, as does Jay. Gary’s got lots of hobbies – hunting’s one of his favorite things to do. But I mean, you’ve got to have those outlets, you just do, and we’re lucky enough to have those.” Continue Reading

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