Rascal Flatts coming to Sacramento area

Alan Shank · Post by **Alan Shank** » 10 Jul 2005 2:30 pm

I've never heard them. There was an article in today's Sacramento Bee about them. One of the guys is described as playing "guitar, mandolin, keyboard and bass," another plays guitar. The author didn't say what the third member played. She described how the band formed when one of the guy went to see a band with the other two that was playing in Nashville, at the "Fiddle and Steel Guitar," a "country bar on Printers Alley."

I went to Amazon.com and looked at the user reviews of their 3 albums. They were described by a couple of people as a "boy band," but others praised them highly, particularly their singing. One guy said that there was no fiddle and steel guitar to speak of. It seems ironic that they got their start and still play at the "Fiddle and Steel Guitar" in Nashville, if they don't use those instruments in their music - ironic and somewhat hypocritical.

Well, based on the reviews I've read, I'm not inclined to buy any of their music.

Anyone know whether they carry a steel player on the road? A fiddle?
Cheers,
Alan Shank

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 11 Jul 2005 11:27 am

Alan,
Rascal Flatts has used Paul from the start of they're career. He along with Travis Toy are on the latest CD.
Travis is the utility man on the road. He probably even plays fiddle if the song calls for it!

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 11 Jul 2005 12:47 pm

I suppose they do sound a bit 'boy-bandish', but their latest single ('Broken Road') prompted me to buy the latest CD. Paul Nathan's great piano-part is irresistable, and the musicianship is faultless throughout. The steel is slightly buried in the mix, but that's typical of many current productions. Paul, as usual, plays exactly what's needed.

I had wondered if the lead singer's voice was a little 'processed', but that recent CMT programme ('..In With The Band') shows them doing a live acapella 'Star Spangled Banner' at a ball-game, and they sounded remarkable. It wasn't absolutely perfect (as it might have been if pre-recorded), but it was darned close! I wouldn't mind having vocal chops like that!!!

RR

Chris Spencer · Post by **Chris Spencer** » 11 Jul 2005 1:50 pm

I've seen them before and like a lot of todays acts more pop than country so don't expect a lot of fiddle or steel. They did have a fiddle when I saw them but no steel on stage. Their vocals are VERY good. The singer and bass player are cousins and the guitar player sings very high harmony. The singer (Gary Lavox sp?)is a little acrobatic for my tastes. They are less of a "boy band" now than when the started.

Alan Rudd · Post by **Alan Rudd** » 13 Jul 2005 10:28 am

By the Way, I understand "Broken Road" was written by a legendary writer, Mr. Bobby Braddock. I appreciate their style, which includes fiddle and mandolin, but I agree the vocals, although great, are a bit acrobatic in nature. The BGV's are innovative, too!

Alan Rudd · Post by **Alan Rudd** » 13 Jul 2005 10:30 am

By the Way, I understand "Broken Road" was written by a legendary writer, Mr. Bobby Braddock. I appreciate their style, which includes fiddle and mandolin, but I agree the vocals, although great, are a bit acrobatic in nature. The BGV's are innovative, too!

Chris Spencer · Post by **Chris Spencer** » 13 Jul 2005 12:06 pm

Alan - I was in your neck of the woods over the weekend. I always pass through beautiful Franklin on my way to visit friends in Woodbury. I caught some of the Uncle Dave Macon Days in Murfreesbrough. Lots of good bluegrass pickup jams. Plenty of dobro players too.

Alan Shank · Post by **Alan Shank** » 13 Jul 2005 3:32 pm

Just saw today that the show has been postponed, due to illness. May be re-scheduled for some time in October.

Oh, well, I wasn't going, anyway.
Cheers,
Alan Shank

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 13 Jul 2005 3:50 pm

"God Bless the Broken Road" was actually written by Jeff Hanna (of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) along with Bobby Boyd and Marcus Hummon...