Former Rascal Flatts lead singer Gary LeVox is striking out on his own.
In support of his first solo album, One on One, LeVox will be at the Honeywell Center in Wabash on Thursday, April 21.
A reviewer on Jubilee Cast said LeVox is “vocally in his pristine state (on his new album). His sunny, note-sustaining, and high-reaching vocals are all over these newly crafted songs.”
Another reviewer writing for Country Standard Time said that LeVox “deserves credit for making this spiritual statement with new, original songs, instead of trotting out predictable country/Christian retreads.
“His voice is a welcome addition to contemporary Christian radio playlists. Most importantly, these Christian lyrics clearly express his heart, filling this album with undeniable sincerity.”
Unceremonious Ending
After two decades with Rascal Flatts and the group’s 2020 disbandment, LeVox embarked on a solo chapter that focuses on music and faith, two of his biggest passions according to a release from the Honeywell Center.
In an interview with E! News, LeVox said the band disbanded after lead guitarist Joe Don Rooney said he needed to be home more.
According to an interview with People, LeVox seemed to say the departure of lead guitarist “kind of came out of nowhere.”
“It was like, ‘Let me try to wrap my head around this,’” LeVox said. “And then I certainly wasn’t OK with the pandemic, which canceled everything. I hate the way that it ended. I hate that we didn’t get to do this farewell tour. I can’t stand the fact that it just feels there’s no closure with something that we’ve been so blessed with. That will always be in my heart.”
The New York Post reported that after Rascal Flatts broke up, bassist Jay DeMarcus continued to lead his music label, and Rooney and LeVox both pursued solo careers and “went back to the studio.”
Going It Alone
LeVox recently appeared on the national podcast On Time with Bobby Bones to discuss the dissolution of Rascal Flatts and his newfound solo career and album.
“I had already kind of planned on doing one, and didn’t really know when it was going to happen because, you know, (Rascal) Flatts — we’ve been (going) a thousand miles a minute for 20 years.”
As for the content and melodic style of the new volume of music, it’s something that has been on LeVox’s mind for a while.
“I always wanted to do a gospel record, always did,” he said. “And all of it just kind of came together, and here we go.”
Back on the Road
Before setting out to Nashville, Tennessee, for a career in music, LeVox worked for the Franklin County, Ohio, Board of Developmental Disabilities. Then, according to LeVox’s official website, he was sitting in his mother’s kitchen one night, and felt God’s presence before him.
He quit his job and moved to Nashville. After doing some backup work, Rascal Flatts was born. Now, he moves to the next chapter in his life.
LeVox has expressed his enthusiasm to get back to performing for live audiences.
He posted a photo of a crowd on social media with the caption, “I can’t explain how much I miss this. God gives each one of us our special gift, and I miss sharing what he blessed me with so much. The electricity and energy that you fans give off is unexplainable. I’m praying that 2022 gives us at least a glimpse of what things used to be like.”
