BREAKING: Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox Reveals Joe Don Rooney Quit the Trio

Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox is speaking out on the end of the popular country trio and the departure of longtime member, Joe Don Rooney.

In a recent interview with PEOPLE, LeVox, 51, opened up about the demise of the award-winning trio, known for massive hits such as “Bless The Broken Road,” “Life Is A Highway,” “What Hurts The Most,” “My Wish,” “I Like The Sound Of That” and more. LeVox admitted to the publication that he is unhappy with how the band ended, before revealing that Jon Don Rooney quit the trio.

“I’ve never been okay with the way that it ended,” LeVox confessed. “I was never okay with…” the singer added, before pausing to think what to say next. He then revealed, “I wasn’t happy that Joe Don [Rooney] quit.”

LeVox continued to share that Rooney’s departure was unexpected, then the global health crisis shut the world down, which ultimate forced everything to be cancelled, including their 2020 farewell tour. The dates for the farewell tour were never rescheduled, and the GRAMMY award-winning trio reportedly called it quits altogether.

“It kind of came out of nowhere,” LeVox continued, referencing Rooney’s exit. “It was like, ‘Let me try to wrap my head around this.’ And then I certainly wasn’t okay 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.”

The trio’s demise, ultimately led LeVox to his decision to pursue his solo material full time. 

“I just took it and ran,” he said. “I’m loving being a solo artist. I know that’s what He’s called me to do. I’m just going to stay on my path. I know what I’m supposed to do, and I love it. There’s no better feeling than to make people feel something by something that you did.”

While Gary LeVox is hard at work on his solo project, he does admit that he is worried about his longtime friend and bandmate. And when the publication asked LeVox if he has spoken to Rooney since his DUI arrest, the “Working On Sunday” singer revealed, “I have not talked to him.”

“And I was heartbroken too. But you know what? I think God gets your attention in different ways,” LeVox added. “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.”

Founded in 2000, Rascal Flatts is one of the most successful country groups of all time with 17 No.1 singles and more than 23.4 million albums sold. Rascal Flatts has earned more than 40 trophies from ACA, ACM, AMA, CMA, People’s Choice and more, cementing the band as the most-awarded country group of the past decade. 

LeVox is gearing up to embark on his first-ever solo tour, which kicks off on October 14 in Evansville, IN at Victory Theatre.