Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus And Joe Don Rooney Reunite In Surprise Studio Appearance
Fans were excited to see these two pictured together!
Jay DeMarcus, Joe Don Rooney; Photo via Instagram
Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney, best known for their time in country supergroup Rascal Flatts, reunited in the studio on Monday, November 13.
DeMarcus documented the surprise reunion on social media by sharing a selfie with Rooney.
“Hung out with this guy in the studio today,” DeMarcus wrote. “So good seeing @joedonrooney!!!”
Rooney Has Remained Out of the Spotlight In Recent Months
This rare appearance marks one of the very few sightings of the 48-year-old guitarist as Rooney has remained silent, largely out of the spotlight and off social media since the demise of Rascal Flatts, the award-winning trio best known for hits like “Bless The Broken Road,” “Life Is A Highway,” “My Wish” and more.
The social media post was flooded with comments from excited fans, who were thrilled to see the former Rascal Flatts band members together after a lengthy hiatus.
“This makes my heart so happy!!! Never been so happy to see someone’s face,” wrote one Instagram user, while another shared, “Good to see you boys!!! Y’all are lookin good!!”
Fans Plead For A Rascal Flatts Reunion
Others begged them to reunite with Gary LeVox to finally embark on the Rascal Flatts farewell tour, which was sidelined due to COVID. The tour was ultimately canceled as Rooney abruptly exited the band, according to LeVox.
“I’ve never been OK with the way that it ended. I was never OK with… I wasn’t happy that Joe Don quit. It kind of came out of nowhere,” LeVox previously told PEOPLE in October of 2021. “It was like, ‘Let me try to wrap my head around this.’”
What Happened To Rascal Flatts?
The demise of the trio was the start of a tumultuous couple of years for Rooney, who in 2021 faced legal troubles in Tennessee when he was arrested after a motor vehicle collision. Subsequently, he was detained at the Williamson County Jail on a $2,500 bail bond. A WKRN report indicates that he later admitted guilt to charges of driving under the influence (DUI).
According to The Tennessean, Rooney was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in prison, however, only had to serve two days behind bars as the remainder of the sentence was suspended. He was also required to complete a DUI training.
Rooney’s driver’s license was also revoked as part of his sentence. The Kansas native was then able to apply for a restricted driver’s license, which would require him to own a vehicle with a built-in breathalyzer installed.
Joe Don Rooney Divorce
In January of 2023, Joe Don Rooney filed for divorce from his wife, Tiffany Fallon, who was a former Playboy model and the mother of their three children: Jagger Donovan Rooney, Raquel Blue Rooney, and Devon Olivia Rooney.
TMZ obtained legal documents that claim both parties committed adultery and that Rooney is addicted to drugs and alcohol. The docs also claim that Fallon had an affair with her personal trainer. While she reportedly admitted to the affair, she claims that it began after Rooney “withdrew” from their marriage. He claims it began before he filed for divorce in January of 2021.
Fallon claims Rooney’s “habitual alcoholism and drug abuse” led to the demise of their marriage. TMZ reported that Rooney denied using narcotics, however, he admitted to using cocaine “a few times.”
Five months later, DeMarcus appeared on Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley to discuss a variety of topics and he also gave an update on Joe Don Rooney.
“Joe Don went through his very public debacle a couple of years ago, and he’s better than I’ve heard him in 10 years,” DeMarcus said in June of 2023. “He’s 19 months sober. And he’s enjoying some peace. He’s living and learning how to live again without his addiction.”
“[I’m] really, really, really proud of him and where he’s at right now,” he continued. “There are just so many steps that would have to take place in order for us to get back to even talking about [getting back together]. I think the further we get away from it, the harder it is. It’s harder to put it back together.”
It currently remains unclear if Rascal Flatts will come back together as a group in the near future, however, this reunion gives fans hope.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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