Rascal Flatts Kick Off 25th Anniversary Tour With Emotional, Hit-Filled Reunion
The group’s biggest hits came to life on stage, and it felt like they never left.
Rascal Flatts Photo Provided
After several years away from the road, Rascal Flatts officially reunited on Thursday (Feb. 13) for their Life Is A Highway Tour, marking their first tour since 2019 and celebrating 25 years as a band. The show was a testament to their musical legacy, deep connection with fans, and the undeniable magic they create together on stage.
Following high-energy opening sets from Chris Lane and Lauren Alaina, the arena buzzed with anticipation as the lights dimmed and Thin Lizzy’s The Boys Are Back in Town blasted through the arena. Moments later, one by one, the trio stepped onto the stage, receiving a roaring welcome from the sold-out crowd at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.
Kicking off their long-awaited reunion, Rascal Flatts launched into “Here’s To You,” a song written as a tribute to the fans who have supported them from the very beginning. Emotions ran high as cheers and applause filled the venue, and some fans were even brought to tears at the sight of the band together again.
With a nod to the “girls in the front row singin’” and the “boys with the wheels that bring them,” the group kept the energy high, even throwing in the chorus of “The Boys Are Back in Town” to celebrate their comeback.
Without skipping a beat, the band went right into “Yours If You Want It” and the beloved “Fast Cars and Freedom” as the massive singalong continued amongst the packed-out crowd.
“25 years of Rascal Flatts, I cannot believe it,” Jay DeMarcus shared during the show.
“A lot has changed in 25 years. How many of y’all came to see us when you were a kid yourself, but now you’re bringing kids with you and you can drive and all that stuff…You know what I’m talking about? I mean, if you wanted to listen to our music when we first came out, you had to have a cassette player or a CD player. Some of y’all don’t even know what that is anymore,” he added with a laugh.
DeMarcus went on to thank the fans for their unwavering loyalty, and admitted that the band is truly feeling the love.
“So much has changed in 25 years, but I’ll tell you one thing that has not changed is the Rascal Flatts family are still the best fans on the face of the entire planet. You have loved us and stood by us even when we weren’t on the road the last five years. And the love we feel here tonight is absolutely astounding.”
They reminded listeners to persevere with 2006’s “Stand,” transported them back to simpler times with “Mayberry” and delivered a poignant message of hope with “My Wish.”
It’s moments like these—watching thousands of fans sing every word—that make you realize these songs are more than just music. They’re the soundtracks to people’s lives, playing a role in graduations, weddings, and countless other life milestones. Seeing that connection firsthand is truly something special.
After bringing up the tempo with a rousing rendition of “Banjo,” Gary Levox and Jay DeMarcus left the stage for a brief moment to allow Joe Don Rooney a moment in the spotlight.
“It feels pretty good, doesn’t it,” Rooney marveled while taking in the crowd. “It’s been a little bit for all of us, but it’s been a little bit for myself as well. And my what a five years it’s been.”
After thanking fans “from the bottom of my heart” for showing up, Rooney took a moment to address his 2021 accident, which led him to become sober and lean into his faith.
“Some of you might’ve heard, but some of you might not know, but on September 9th, 2021, I hit a tree and luckily I’m still alive. I am really grateful that nobody else was involved and I didn’t hurt myself too badly,” he said solemnly. “Praise God…I was able to get the help I needed and I need it for a long time.”
As fans applauded his honesty, he continued, “I’m telling you right now, if anybody any of y’all, if you know somebody, speak up, talk, connect with somebody, because I promise you somebody loves you way more than what you’re going through.”
He then delivered a heartfelt, solo rendition of “I’m Moving On,” from Rascal Flatts’ debut album.
@countrynow.com over a decade later, "Bless The Broken Road" still hits hard @Rascal Flatts ♬ original sound – CountryNow.com
The hits continued throughout the evening, with the second half of the show featuring some of the best-known songs from the band’s catalog, including, “These Days,” “Bless The Broken Road,” and “What Hurts The Most.”
Keeping the energy up through the very last note, Rascal Flatts closed out the show with “Summer Nights” and “Life Is A Highway” featuring special guests Lauren Alaina and Chris Lane.
It was all-around an unforgettable night. Fans might have expected a few hiccups or awkward first-show moments, but there was none of that—honestly, it was as if they had never left. Gary LeVox’s vocals were as powerful as ever, and their songs still sound as fresh and as relevant as ever.
After 25 years together, this tour is more than just a return to the stage; it’s a well-earned celebration of a band whose music has left a lasting mark on so many lives, and that was more evident than ever on Thursday night in Evansville.
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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