AN unstoppable force

October 23, 2009

The diversity and range of their cutting-edge music has captured a fan base that extends beyond the boundaries country music. Their passion and talent was on display Friday night as Rascal Flatts shared their innovative sound with a packed house at GM Place.

A phenomenal performance by solo country music artist and lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish, Darius Rucker, kicked off the three hour concert with an upbeat, can’t-help-but-sing-along set that included popular hits “Alright” “Only Wanna”, and a cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain”.

The South Carolina native’s first country album Learn to Live released in 2008 debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts. Rucker sings with such passion and joy that the audience couldn’t help but get pulled in. His rich bluesy vocals and high energy country music provided the perfect segue-way into the main act.

The country trio, Rascal Flatts, consisting of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney, lit up the stage with fire works and an irrepressible energy, opening with a fan favourite “Summer Nights”. The group wasted no time showcasing their powerful vocals and unique sound.

Promoting their latest album Unstoppable, the band has proven they are just that. Since their inception in 1999, the members of Rascal Flatts have earned recognition as dynamic artists for producing some of the most popular music to come out of Nashville in recent years.

A decade later, with six studio albums under their belts, their range and innovative style continues to top the charts.

Throughout their career the band has seen all of their albums go multi-platinum and been honoured as the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association top vocal group every year since 2003.

Rascal Flatts is currently up for two American Music Awards, receiving nominations for Favourite Country Music: Album and Band, Duo, Group. They have already established an impressive award collection having won multiple American Music Awards and People’s Choice Awards.

It is no surprise that Rascal Flatts has pocketed numerous People’s Choice Awards. Fans at tonight's concert showed their love as they reveled in the interactive, 19-song show.

The trio utilized the stage’s catwalk that branched out into the crowd to the fullest, switching between serenading the crowd with ballads such as “Broken Road” and “Here Comes Goodbye”, and getting the stadium on its feet, dancing and singing along with hits including “Take Me There” and “Bob That Head”.

The highlight of the night, apart from the violinist performing “O Canada” while the crowd sang, was Rucker joining the Rascal Flatts on stage during the encore for “Hold My Hand”. They finally ended the night on an unforgettable note with a fun and lively performance of “Life is a Highway”.