Rascal Flatts adds band member (for one night anyway)
Thursday, May 22, 2008 – An extra band member will be up on stage with Rascal Flatts when they hit Indianapolis next month. For one night anyway the trio becomes a quartet with Emily Noxon, of Orem, Utah, joining the boys because she won a contest based on a video of her signing a Rascal Flatts song.
Noxon was the grand prize winner of the Milk Rocks! "Be a Milk Rockstar" contest. This one lucky fan was hand-picked by Rascal Flatts themselves to sing with the band at their June 14th concert at the Verizon Wireless Music Center in Indianapolis, performing live on stage. Noxon's opportunity also includes a private meet-and-greet with the band in Noxon's own "dressing room" for the night - a fully customized Gibson Guitar tour bus parked backstage. While on board, Emily will tape a concert webcast; receive a signed Gibson Les Paul Studio Guitar, autographed posters and CDs from the band and $250 cash prize provided by Evergreen Packaging; and score a meeting with a Lyric Street Records A&R representative.
"I can't believe is happening to me. I am so excited I can't even stand it!" said Noxon. "I can't wait for June 14th."
"We saw so many cool videos of our fans performing their favorite Rascal Flatts song, it was hard to pick just one," said Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts. "But when we saw Emily's, we knew we had the winner. She has a great voice, passion and personality and will fit right in. We'll see you in Indianapolis, Emily!"
Noxon garnered enough of the approximately 250,000 votes cast by the www.milkrocks.com community to triumph over hundreds of fellow Rascal Flatts fans. Each submitted their own karaoke-style versions of the band's tunes for the contest, which attracted 3.75 million views. Nine other participants in the campaign will also receive a Gibson Les Paul Studio Guitar signed by Rascal Flatts, autographed CDs and posters from the band and a scholarship or cash prize from Evergreen Packaging.
Each of the nine runners-up was awarded a Gibson Les Paul Studio Guitar as well as Rascal Flatts posters and CDs - all autographed by the band -plus cash scholarships. Second place winner Mary Grace Wilson of Los Angeles, won a $175 cash scholarship, while third place winner Torwin Smart of Coffeyville, Kansas earned a $100 cash scholarship.
Five more ambitious fans - Rishona Shephard (La Grange, Ind.), Sarah Guy (Perrysburg, Ohio), Antimo Onzo (Cape Coral, Fla.), Sharon Tseung (Fremont, Cal.) and Taylor Carter (Pella, Ia.) - were awarded for "Most Viral" videos, which earned them each a $75 cash scholarship in addition to the signed guitars, posters and CDs. Finally, two sweepstakes winners each won a $50 cash scholarship along with their main prizes.
More news for Rascal Flatts
CD reviews for Rascal Flatts
Unwrapped EP
If the best things in life do indeed come in small packages, this "Unwrapped" EP from Rascal Flatts fits that most worthy description. All but one song have been unavailable for about a year, and one track (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen) is a brand new recording. For Jingle Bell Rock, Rascal Flatts actually trade rock music for big band jazz; this one features plenty of brass horn work. However, White Christmas sticks to a stately orchestrated formula. The trio shows off its vocal chops on »»» |
Unstoppable
The Rascal Flatts hit making music machinery continues as its latest is filled with a lot of commercial pop country for which the trio is known. Rascal Flatts does not move very far outside of their comfort zone. Lead singer Gary LeVox's sturdy, sometimes plaintive vocals, and well-chosen material can have that effect.
Dann Huff once again produced along with lead singer Gary LeVox, guitarist Joe Don Rooney and bassist Jay DeMarcus. Huff gets a big sound once again out of the band, perhaps »»» |
Greatest Hits Volume 1
Rascal Flatts chose the holiday season to release their first greatest hits CD. Therefore, this singles set also has three Christmas songs tacked on for good measure. And much like with Rascal Flatts' overall repertoire, this collection plays it extremely safe. The act that originally turned the emotional heat up high with I Melt (also included within) goes straight for the heartstrings for the winter longing of White Christmas and the unfulfilled attachment expressed via I'll Be Home for Christmas. »»» |
Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: Cherryholmes comes together –
For a bluegrass band like Cherryholmes, the setting - the courtyard of one of the grandest museums in the entire U.S. was atypical. So without a "typical" audience there to lend support, one could argue that the sextet was up against it. No matter, though, because the family band showed why it is one of the best out there.... »»»
Concert Review: Ray LaMontagne demands attention –
Ray LaMontagne should have had a lot to celebrate, but you certainly could not tell from his demeanor on this tour with British singer David Gray.
Interestingly enough, the first of two shows before full houses also marked the same day that both artists released new discs. LaMontagne is going in a different direction with "God Willin' & The... »»»
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