Rascal Flatts wrap up their 2026 Life Is A Highway Tour with shows in Pittsburgh and Buffalo this weekend. The tour, a continuation of one they began in 2025, has a lot of big moments for the fans. But for band member Joe Don Rooney, his favorite moment is one that is much more intimate, and one that he shares with band members Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney.
“My favorite moment is when we’re all gathered around the piano,” Rooney reveals. “Jay’s playing, and we’re singing ‘Broken Road.’ And when I get to rip into that solo, is when Gary tells everybody to get their lights on their phone, and hold them up. And there’s a moment, every night, this happens: there’s a moment within me, when there’s just a sea of lights, and playing the solo, and looking up and seeing all that, is just childhood dreams. I mean, things I dreamed about doing as that little boy in Oklahoma in his bedroom, just practicing away.
“And in that moment, there’s just so much emotion, and so much of a just a thankful, grateful heart, to be able to do what we get to do, and because you fans are so amazing,” he adds. “And you still come out to see us, and you still wave your iPhone lights at us, and it’s just so beautiful. And so, I look forward to that every single night.”
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Joe Don Rooney Opens Up About Sobriety
Rascal Flatts announced in 2020 that they were splitting up, planning on going on a farewell tour that never happened because of the pandemic. In 2021, Rooney was in a serious car accident, one that gave him a much-needed wake-up call. The father of two opened up about that experience during a recent tour stop in Nashville.
“I was going through quite a bit in my personal life,” Rooney shares. “Thank God I had a friend here in Nashville a little over four years ago that came to my house, packed my bags, and flew me all the way out to Utah. I spent four months out there, and finally got to work on some things I needed to work on for a very long time in my life. And I do pray that y’all have somebody like that in your life that might stop their life and come and help you in a moment of need. Or maybe you’re that person. And I pray that for you guys.”
Rooney used his time on stage to speak about the importance of taking care of both mind and body. He also spoke out about his strong Christian faith.
“Mental health, physical health is so important,” Rooney says. “If any of you in this arena tonight,, if you’re going through something, and you just might be afraid to open up and talk about it, please do it. Talk to family, friends, somebody you love. Because I promise you, connection is the key, and God is the answer. Thank you, God. And I promise you, somebody loves you way more than what you’re going through.”