Rascal Flatts Jay DeMarcus Performing With New Band, Generation Radio

With Rascal Flatts no longer making music or touring together, Jay DeMarcus has found himself performing with a new band: Generation Radio. 

Generation Radio is a relatively new group that has brought together musical legends, such as Jay DeMarcus, and several other artists who were each once involved in their own thriving band.

In 2020, DeMarcus, along with Dean Castronovo, former lead singer and drummer of Journey, Jason Scheff, former lead vocalist and bass player of the multi-platinum band Chicago, Chris Rodriguez and Tom Yankton came together to form this new supergroup.

Their goal is to bring 80’s rock and classic music back to life with their setlist that has a variety of hits from each of their former bands, including Rascal Flatts’ “These Days,” “What Hurts The Most,” “Bless The Broken Road,” and more. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jay DeMarcus (@jaydemarcus)

Before joining the new band, DeMarcus, along with Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts, had planned to go on their final, Farewell Life Is A Highway tour last year. After the tour was canceled, they did not reschedule the dates and that seemed to be the end of their career together. Each member ended up going their separate ways, finding their own path in life after a long, successful run as a country band. LeVox continued on with his solo career while Don went silent after quitting the band, and DeMarcus eventually joined Generation Radio and continued his work with his record label, Red Street Records. 

In an interview with PEOPLE, LeVox opened up about the downfall of the GRAMMY award-winning trio, admitting he was not happy with how they concluded their 20 year career together. 

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

“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.”

Don and DeMarcus have stayed mostly silent about the breakup, but DeMarcus continues to play Rascal Flatts hits during performances with his new band members. He has also remained supportive of LeVox’s music journey, using social media to help promote the singer’s new music as a solo, Christian artist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jay DeMarcus (@jaydemarcus)

When Rascal Flatts first revealed their farewell tour, DeMarcus took to Instagram to share his initial thoughts.

“When we started out 20 years ago, we could not imagine all of the people, places and gifts we would encounter,” he wrote. “As we head out on the Rascal Flatts Farewell – Life is A Highway Tour, there is no sadness. Just new chapters, new journeys, and new beginnings. This year, and this tour, is all about YOU.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jay DeMarcus (@jaydemarcus)

Although his band members have changes, DeMarcus is still embracing his musical talents. Last year he joined Generation Radio for their first ever performance together. 

As of right now, Generation Radio has not announced any upcoming tour dates, but promises that there are more shows to come.