Rascal Flatts strikes a patriotic chord:
Band urges audience to remember that ‘we are Americans first’
Rascal Flatts made a bit of history during Monday’s RodeoHouston performance.
The trio of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney was the first act this season to acknowledge Houston’s recent struggles with Hurricane Harvey.
As the band launched into survivor anthem “Stand,” emotional video clips of Harvey damage and rescues played on the screens.
They were also joined in the arena by dozens of first responders, who circled the stage amid thunderous applause.
“We are so honored to be here with you guys,” DeMarcus said. “We thank you for running into danger when everyone’s running away from danger.”
He also espoused tolerance, looking “to the man upstairs” and “loving each other a little bit more.”
“Before we are Republicans, before we are Democrats, we are Americans first,” DeMarcus said. “It’s time to start having each other’s backs a little bit more.”
Judging by the reaction, Rascal Flatts clearly knows its audience. This was the band’s seventh overall performance and first since 2011.
LeVox has traded the glitter that once covered his hair and jeans for a cleaner look — black jacket, jeans covered in zippers, a leather arm band and a wallet chain.
He’s become a much stronger vocalist, no longer singing from his head and instead pulling more from his diaphragm. It’s taken away much of the nasal quality.
The set was expertly paced, veering from energetic uptempos (“Bob That Head”) to emotive ballads (“Here Comes Goodbye”) to soulful midtempo grooves (“Rewind,” “I Like the Sound of That”).
Other RodeoHouston acts should take note. (I’m talking to you, Little Big Town.)
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