NASHVILLE, TN  [Thursday Aug.2.2007]  /Mix103FM.com/ -- Most people know that Joe Don Rooney got his gig in Rascal Flatts when another guitarist was replaced by founders Jay DeMarcus and Gary LeVox.

Joe Don tells us that when Jay and Gary decided to replace their guitarist, Jay hired Joe Don, who he met when they were both members of Chely Wright¹s road band. What¹s interesting is that Joe Don told us that wasn¹t the first time he¹d replaced the guy that had just left Jay and Gary. ³It's funny because he was playing acoustic for Chely. He's the one that left Chely and that's how I got the acoustic spot with her. It's really amazing. It worked out wonderful.²

ONE OTHER funny note about the night Joe Don Rooney joined what became Rascal Flatts, is that Gay didn¹t know he¹d been hired, and wasn¹t too happy about it.

Gary tells us, ³I had never even heard about Joe Don before. I got there (to their gig in Printers Alley), was coming in and I saw this guy up on stage and he was keying up. I said to Jay, ŒWho's this dude? Who's this guy on stage man?¹ I said who is this dude up here tuning the guitar? Jay said, ŒThat's our guitar player man, our guitar player couldn't make it tonight and blah, blahŠ¹ I said, ŒOh no!¹ Usually you get these guitar players, or you sub out that night, the night is ruined. They'll know two songs on the list and so on! Of course, it worked out and he was great, and could sing the high harmonies.²

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