Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » Gary LeVox

Country stars react to George Jones’ passing

Lydia Picknell — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:56:05 +0000

It’s been a tragic few days for country music stars and country fans. The legendary George Jones passed away in a Nashville hospital, and country stars have reacted in shock and sadness over the loss of an icon. See what some of your favorite stars have said about the great George Jones:

Brad Paisley:

“George Jones’ life is an example of so many wonderful things. How someone’s God-given gifts can make this a richer, better place. How one human being can overcome adversity, addiction, and life threatening obstacles time and time again. That it is not the stumble or fall that counts, but the willingness to stand again. How a keen sense of humor and a twinkle in a person’s eye can still prevail even after all of life’s hard knocks. How mistakes, missteps, and bad choices are not the end of the world if a person chooses to turn them into something good. And George’s life is above all the strongest example of how the love of a great woman can get a man through anything. All of this made its way beautifully into every note of the greatest voice country music will ever know. And one of the greatest friends you could ever have.

We miss you already, George.

Brad”

Dolly Parton:

“My heart is absolutely broken. George Jones was my all time favorite singer and one of my favorite people in the world. My heart goes out to Nancy and all his family and friends.”

Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts:

“He was the greatest country vocalist that ever lived! Through the years we have all tried to emulate the passion in his voice, but no one can fill his shoes.”

Merle Haggard:

“The world has lost the greatest country singer of all time. Amen.”

Easton Corbin:

“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of one of my all time heroes, George Jones. Georges’ music was real and he was able to touch thousands through his songs. Not only was he a great singer, but he also had the ability to make you relate to every one of his songs, no matter who you are. He and his music will remain timeless in the world of country music. My thoughts and prayers are with his family through this difficult time.”

Blake Shelton (via Twitter):

Just landed in LA. Listened to “The King Is Gone” and “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” over and over again just like always. Can’t accept it. Really REALLY bad news. We’ve lost a country music legend. And I’ve lost a hero and a friend. Goodbye George Jones…

Kelly Clarkson (via Twitter):

Sad to hear about George Jones passing. That man touched a lot of lives with his music. Thanks for setting the bar for the rest of us. #RIPGeorgeJones

Rascal Flatts Changed Goes Gold!

Lydia Picknell — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:32:47 +0000

Congratulations to Rascal Flatts and the team at Big Machine! Their latest album “Changed” has just been certified gold by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 copies since its release. The newest single from the album “Come Wake Me Up” hits country music radio on Monday, May 21st. “Banjo,” from the album, was the band’s fourteenth number one single.

The trio will be playing the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday night and again on Thursday night. They became Opry members late last year. Their next tour date is a stop at the Bayou Country Superfest on May 27th.

Rascal Flatts To Receive CRS Artist Humanitarian Award

Jeanna D. — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:36:19 +0000

As if we needed another reason to love Gary, Jay, and Joe Don!

Rascal Flatts have always been very involved in various charities throughout their career, and this year they are being honored at the Country Radio Seminar on February 22nd as the 2012 Artist Humanitarian Award recipients.

The trio donated $3 million to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt’s Pediatric Surgery Center in 2010. The super group also serves as spokespersons for the national suicide prevention organization, The Jason Foundation, and have been members of the American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet for seven years.

CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne stated:

“The board is very pleased to honor Rascal Flatts with the CRS Artist Humanitarian Award. They join a long, distinguished list of celebrities who have received this prestigious award since it was instated in 1990.”

The CRS Artist Humanitarian Award was created to honor country music artists who have displayed extraordinary humanitarian efforts during their career. Past recipients of the award include Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, among others.

CRS will be held February 22-24 in Nashville. Visit www.countryradioseminar.com for more information.

Congratulations to Rascal Flatts on this deserving honor!

Rascal Flatts Become Grand Ole Opry Members As The Opry Turns 86

Jeanna D. — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 02:20:13 +0000

It was a celebration at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville last night.

As the Opry marked its 86th birthday, Rascal Flatts were officially inducted as members into the Opry family.

The trio could not have been more appreciative of this distinguished honor. Before they took the stage, Gary, Jay, and Joe Don reflected on the occasion.

Gary LeVox: It is so humbling to carry the Opry flag. There’s no higher pinnacle.

Jay DeMarcus: One of the titles we’re most proud of is members of the Grand Ole Opry.

Joe Don Rooney: We are humbled by this and can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us and the Grand Ole Opry.

The group was inducted by Opry member Little Jimmy Dickens and Opry general manager Pete Fisher. They also received a surprise congratulatory video message from President George W. Bush, who acknowledged the group’s exceptional dedication to music, the community, as well as our country and armed services.

Congratulations, once again, to Rascal Flatts on this career milestone!

Check out the video of the induction below:

Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox Clears the Air on Caylee Anthony Song

Lydia Picknell — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 16:59:26 +0000

Gary LeVox has been surprised over the media attention thrown on one little song that he helped co-write. In an interview with Country Weekly at Rascal Flatts’ number one party last week, he spoke to reporters on the real story behind the song that was changed to fit Caylee Anthony’s story. Originally titled “He’s Going Places,” it was a song that was sitting on the back shelf for Rascal Flatts who were considering saving it for a future album for the superstar trio. The song quickly morphed into a different version after co-writer Cledus T. Judd heard the news about Casey Anthony’s acquittal of the murder charges.

“Cledus sent me a text asking if he could rewrite the song for Caylee [Anthony]. He and some other [songwriter] rewrote the lyrics,” Gary continued. “[They took] our song and they tweaked it and changed some lines. I was on a boat fishing in Lake Erie and my phone had blown up and I guess it was on Nancy Grace. I think it was a Cledus T. Judd thing. They kind of took our song and tweaked it and it became this.”

LeVox went on to say that songwriters will write songs based on their heart and real feelings, and that this was the case for Judd. He understands that he wanted to put the focus on the young victim, and not the mother like the rest of the media had been doing for the few years the case was in the news. Read the full story on Country Weekly’s website HERE. Have you heard the song? What are your thoughts on the whole who-wrote-what drama behind “She’s Going Places”?