Rascal Flatts is Unstoppable -- Country Hound, 11/16

Rascal Flatts had a bit of a bumpy 2010, with the closing of Lyric Street, their record label, they still managed to headline the Unstoppable tour, after which they performed the Nothing Like This tour, supporting their new album of the same name.  Now, Joe Don Rooney, Gary LeVox and Jay Demarcus are ready to claim their spot back on top.

Though the guys are still overcoming several roadblocks – such as this year’s one CMA nomination, which was won by Lady Antebellum, the multi-platinum selling trio with two Top 10 singles, as well as numerous sold-out shows this year, is feeling motivated, rather than discouraged.

"The future is bright, and it's what we make it," Rooney said to Nashville's Tennessean. "We're not going to lay down and give up because our names weren't mentioned in a few [awards show] categories. We came to Nashville because we wanted to be in country music and we found a sound and we wanted to be unique. I think we're a new glimpse of what country is. I can't wait to see five years down the road and where we will be. It just feels really good right now."

This motivation is not new to the country group, and another run in with Lady Antebellum may be the burning source.  Flatts had won the CMA award for Vocal Group of the Year consecutively from 2002-2008, until Lady Antebellum won the award the past two years. "We don't expect anything, but we're coming out swinging this year," Demarcus said to The Boot in February."  We're gonna punch some people in the nose and were gonna try and take back what we feel is rightfully ours, because we believe in ourselves that much."

A driving force behind the new determination is Rascal Flatts’ new band boss and head of their new record label, and no stranger to the country music industry, Big Machine Records’ Scott Borchetta. "Sometimes we have a bunch of glass houses here on Music Row, and you need a loud voice to remind everybody of the amazing things that are happening for the band on a [regular] basis and of the amazing things they do here," Borchetta said to The Boot. "I think the industry will come back around and see they are absolutely deserving of the biggest awards. People love this band."

Rascal Flatts released their new album today, November 16.  With the new release comes high hopes for the industry to notice their evolution and growth. "There are songs on the album that look back to the first couple of records and then other songs push the boundaries of what we've done up to this point," LeVox said.

While no CMA Awards were won by the country group yet, all hope is not lost.  The band is nominated for an American Music Award for Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group this Sunday, Nov. 21.  They are also nominated for four American Country Awards, including Artist of the Year: Duo or Group.

Rascal Flatts are anxious to get back on the road, announcing their tour dates for the next leg of the Nothing Like This tour.  The tour will be launched January 14 with Chris Young and Luke Brian as the opening acts in Souix Falls, S. D.

Source: http://www.theboot.com/2010/11/15/rascal-flatts-cma-awards-2010/