Rascal Flatts to tour

Rascal Flatts announced today they will launch a brand new tour this summer, “Flatts Fest,” on June 18th in Bristow, Virginia with opening acts Sara Evans, Easton Corbin and Justin Moore. The tour is currently slated to run through September with approximately 24 shows.

The “Flatts Fest” tour will include a new stage production design and set list with a high-energy stage show Rascal Flatts fans have come to expect. The tour will also include an interactive pre-show festival atmosphere and tailgating experience, with activities spread throughout the plaza and parking areas for all fans who want to make a whole afternoon/evening of the show. Plans include a mobile karaoke vehicle, carnival games, photo booths, putt putt golf, food vendors, and plenty of exciting contests. More detailed information will be provided closer to the start of the tour.

Rascal Flatts – Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney – debuted their first album on Big Machine Records, Nothing Like This, last November at #1 on the country album sales chart and became one of only four country acts to debut six consecutive studio albums at #1. Since their musical debut in 2000, the band has sold 20 million albums and 25 million digital downloads and delivered 12 #1 singles to the top of the chart. Rascal Flatts is the most awarded country group of the past decade with nearly 40 trophies from the American Country Awards, Academy of Country Music, American Music Awards, Country Music Association, People’s Choice Awards and more. Since their touring career began, they have sold over 6 million concert tickets.

RCA Nashville songstress Sara Evans debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart this week with the release of her sixth studio album, Stronger, featuring her current smash, the RIAA-certified Gold Digital Single, “A Little Bit Stronger.” An ACM and CMA Award-winning singer/songwriter, Evans’ chart-topping career includes more than five million albums sold and such #1 hits as “Suds in the Bucket,” “A Real Fine Place to Start,” and “Born to Fly.” In addition to her successful music career, Sara is an emerging author whose second novel, Softly and Tenderly (Thomas Nelson), was released in January. Previously recognized as one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People,” Evans was also the first Country Artist to appear as a contestant on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Visit her online at www.saraevans.com.

Mercury Nashville recording artist Easton Corbin is the most successful new artist in country music in the last year. The native of rural Gilchrist County, Fla., is being lauded for his traditional country sound, authentic lyrics and mastery of understatement. USA Today says Easton “is a country music throwback with an easygoing, old-school style.” He is the first country male artist in 17 years to have his first two consecutive singles reach No. 1 -- “A Little More Country Than That” and “Roll With It.” He has received three Academy of Country Music Award nominations this year for Top New Solo Vocalist, and Song and Single of the Year for “A Little More Country Than That.” He recently won all of the Breakthrough Artist awards in December at the American Country Awards – Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist, Single of the Year: Breakthrough Artist and Music Video: Breakthrough Artist for “A Little More Country Than That.” Billboard named Corbin as the Top New Country Artist of 2010. “I Can’t Love You Back” is his current single. Visit www.eastoncorbin.com or www.umgnashville.com to learn more about the Florida native.

Justin Moore’s star has grown significantly since he was named Billboard’s “Top New Country Artist of 2009.” The Southern Country Stylist has sold over 1.2 million digital downloads to-date and has scored three consecutive smash hits from his debut album (the #1 “Small Town USA”; Top 5 “Backwoods”; and Top 20 “How I Got To Be This Way”). The 2010 CMT Music Award nominee's self-titled album, which debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard Top 200, was recognized as one of the best albums of 2009 by The New York Times. Moore’s new single from his upcoming sophomore album, "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away," continues it's ascent up the charts, this week breaking into the Top 25 at Country Radio.

For additional information on Rascal Flatts and their tour go to www.rascalflatts.com or www.livenation.com

2011 “FLATTS FEST” dates:
6-18 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
6-19 Virginia Beach, VA Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach
6-24 Oshkosh, WI** Country Festival USA
6-25 Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
6-26 Maryland Heights, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7-8 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center
7-9 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center
7-17 Craven, SK** Craven Country Jamboree
7-22 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
7-23 Noblesville, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center
7-24 Twin Lakes, WI** Country Thunder Festival
7-28 Atlanta, GA Lakewood
7-29 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7-30 Raleigh, NC TWC Music Pavilion
8-4 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
8-6 Detroit Lakes, MN** WE Fest
8-11 Hartford, CT Comcast Theatre
8-12 Darien Lake, MN Darien Lakes PAC
8-13 Ottawa, ONT** Rideau Carelton Raceway-OLG Slots Casino
8-19 Tampa, FL 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre
8-20 West Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre
8-27 Oro Station, ONT** Burls Creek Family Event Park
9-9 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
9-10 Denver, CO Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
9-11 Albuquerque, NM Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque Presents The Pavilion
9-15 Sacramento, CA Sleep Train Amphitheatre
9-16 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
9-17 San Bernardino, CA San Manuel Amphitheatre
9-18 San Diego, CA Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre

**Not a “Flatts Fest” date