Rascal Flatts and Kellie Pickler Perform in Little Rock

Staff Writer

   Multi-platinum and Grammy Award-winning country trio Rascal Flatts brought their successful “Still Feels Good Tour” to Little Rock March 1. The group also brought country vixen Kellie Pickler along to warm up the crowd.

Photo by Douglas Boultinghouse

Show-stopper - Kellie Pickler gives a tearful performance of her song “I Wonder.” Pickler opened for Rascal Flatts at Alltel Arena.

    Pickler took the stage shortly after 8 p.m. and performed a 30-minute set containing seven songs. Her set list included the songs “Things that Never Cross a Man’s Mind,” “Small Town Girl,” “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You,” “One of the Guys,” “Red High Heels,” a cover of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” and a show-stopping performance of her autobiographical song “I Wonder.” She wiped tears from her eyes as the audience stood applauding her.

   After the 15-minute intermission, the stage exploded with smoke and fireworks. Lights flashed and instruments played. The Flatts could then be heard singing the opening lines of “Me and My Gang.”  I could hear them, but could not see them. I kept looking for them from my seat on the floor, then happened to turn to my right to see them standing on a platform four feet from my head. Their entrance stands as the most interesting opening to a tour I have ever seen (or heard in this case.)

   Lead vocalist Gary LeVox moved right into “Fast Cars and Freedom,” while fellow vocalists and guitarists Joe Don Rooney and Jay DeMarcus accompanied him to the main stage by crossing a catwalk that dropped from the ceiling.  The songs “I Melt,” “Take Me There,” “My Wish” and “These Days” followed.

   At this time, Rooney and DeMarcus performed solos on the end of the catwalk extending into the crowd.  DeMarcus chose “To Make Her Love Me” and Rooney performed “Pieces” and a cover of “American Woman.” You would never guess from listening to the trio on an album, but Rooney proves to be the better singer.

   LeVox rejoined the two for a performance of “Winner at a Losing Game” and even allowed one of their band members, a native of Little Rock, to pick the next song and sing along.  He chose the song “You” from the Flatts’ “Melt” album. The trio went on to perform their hit “Stand.”

   DeMarcus then split the arena in two, forcing the sides to battle each other hitting notes. (My side won!)  With a comedy reel in the background to accompany the song, they explained just what you get “When You Play a Country Song Backwards.” To add humor, they even brought a young girl from the front row onto the stage to sing with them.

Photo by Douglas Boultinghouse

Holding the Note – Gary LeVox, lead vocalist for the Flatts sings the song “You.” LeVox packs the emotion into his performances through his facial expressions.

  Outstanding performances of “God Bless the Broken Road” and “What Hurts the Most” followed with a medley of “Praying for Daylight” and “This Everyday Love” thrown in the middle.

   The Flatts performed a combination of their song “He Ain’t the Leaving Kind” and “Don’t Stop Believing” before thanking the crowd and saying goodnight. 

   Moments later, Rooney and DeMarcus appeared atop the staircase on stage armed with their guitars.  LeVox then rose from the ground to the platform beside me. Somehow, yet again, I was oblivious to the fact he was right next to me, and I continued watching the stage ahead wondering where his voice was coming from.

   The three-song encore included the songs “Still Feels Good,” “Here’s to You” and “Life is a Highway.”  The last song quickly became the crowd favorite as fans jumped up and down singing along to the theme from the movie “Cars.”

   In retrospect, I do not regret seeing this show. While I listen to the Flatts on occasion when they’re on the radio, I never considered myself a die-hard fan. Fifteen minutes into the show, I declared myself a fan.  The guys put on an incredible show.  One so great that it goes down in my book as the second-best show I’ve ever attended.

   If you saw the show, I’m sure you will agree that the show was beyond entertaining.  If you did not make it to the show, then I am sorry, but you missed one of the greatest acts to ever play at the Alltel Arena.

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