Rascal Flatts announce plans to split up after farewell tour: 'There is no sadness'

Erin Donnelly
·Yahoo Life Senior Editor
Updated

It’s the end of the road for “Life is a Highway” crooners Rascal Flatts.

On Tuesday the country group — comprised of lead vocalist Gary LeVox, bassist Jay DeMarcus and guitar and banjo player Joe Don Rooney — announced plans to embark on a farewell tour across the U.S. before taking an indefinite break. The Rascal Flatts Farewell: Life Is A Highway Tour also marks the Grammy-nominated trio’s 20th anniversary as a band.

During an appearance on CBS This Morning, band members were vague about their future plans, but clarified that “nobody’s sick.”

“Farewell means we haven’t really had a break in 20 years,” LeVox said, while DeMarcus said it was possible that they might one day regroup. In the meantime, they’re treating their final year together as a “celebration” for their supporters.

“When we started out 20 years ago, we could not imagine all of the people, places and gifts we would encounter," LeVox said. "The greatest feeling ever is being told that our music has been the soundtrack to their lives ... That's why we create music and the reason we can't wait to celebrate this incredible 20-year journey all year, with our fans who we love dearly."

The four-time Grammy-nominated country group Rascal Flatts is embarking on a farewell tour before splitting up after 20 years. (Photo: REUTERS/Harrison Mcclary)
The four-time Grammy-nominated country group Rascal Flatts is embarking on a farewell tour before splitting up after 20 years. (Photo: REUTERS/Harrison Mcclary)

In a Facebook post, the band shared that there is “no sadness — just new chapters, new journeys and new beginnings.”

Fans of the performers behind hits like “What Hurts the Most,” “Take Me There” and “Bless the Broken Road,” however, have flooded social media with messages of heartbreak over the group’s breakup.

Still, there are 25 more chances to see Rascal Flatts live before they call it quits. The farewell tour kicks off on June 11 in Indianapolis, Ind. and is set to wrap up on Oct. 17 in West Palm Beach, Fla. Band members also teased that they’ll have new music and other “surprises” coming out this year.

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