Rascal Flatts‘ Joe Don Rooney is speaking out about his sobriety, and the importance of mental health. At Rascal Flatts’ recent Nashville show, as part of the trio’s Life Is A Highway Tour, Rooney took some time to express his gratitude for how much his life has changed since Rascal Flatts announced they were splitting up in 2020.

In 2021, Rooney was in a serious car accident, due to driving while intoxicated. It became the wake-up call he needed, heading to rehab in the aftermath, thanks to a good friend.

“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.”

 

@everythingnash During @Rascal Flatts’ Nashville show, Joe Don Rooney talked about his sobriety journey, and the importance of mental health. #rascalflatts #nashville #sobriety #mentalhealthmatters ♬ original sound – EverythingNash

 

Joe Don Rooney Speaks Out About Mental and Physical Health

Rooney also shared the importance of mental health, something he learned the hard way in 2021.

“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.”

Joe Don Rooney Talks About Rejoining Rascal Flatts

Ahead of the Flatts’ Nashville show, Rooney shared his thoughts backstage on being part of Rascal Flatts again with Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus, a chapter he once thoguht was closed forever.

“We’ve all been through a lot,” Rooney acknowledges. “That time off served myself very well, and I’m grateful for the help I have, and all the love from family and friends to be back upright. I thank the Lord. I appreciate so many people. And what I also wanted to say is, this night is just beyond special.”

“These last two years have been, I think, the most special of all the years we’ve been doing this,” he adds.” It’s like Flatts 2.0, and I’m just grateful to be with these two cousins, Jay and Gary.”

Rascal Flatts’ Life Is A Highway Tour concludes on February 28.