Mark Crown

Camrose Canadian

After more than a decade in the spotlight of country music, eight studio albums and numerous hit singles Gary LeVox is still humbled by the success Rascal Flatts has achieved.

The lead vocalist spoke to the Camrose Canadian about the band's upcoming performance at Big Valley Jamboree (BVJ) and said God was the main reason for their success.

"There are just no words for what we have been able to accomplish accept God. God is the key ingredient and he's been the centre of our lives for a long time. He blesses abundantly and I'm just honoured to be a small part of it," LeVox said.

He also said the band loves performing north of the border.

"Canada is our absolute favourite place to play. Every time we come to Canada it is beautiful. The fans are unreal and so is the fishing."

LeVox grew up in Ohio before leaving for Nashville to pursue his musical dreams and vividly recalls the start of his journey.

"When I left Ohio, I will never forget it. I was standing in my mom's kitchen and I was singing one night to the radio, it was probably midnight and it was like God tapped me on the shoulder. It was the first time that I really listened and I said 'Lord I am so sorry because I feel like you gave me the gift of song and I don't think that you would have given me that to stand in my mom's kitchen and sing to the radio,'" he said.

"So I really started with an apology to God. The next morning I told my mom that I was going to Nashville.That was Feb 1998 and we got signed Jan. of 1999."

The rest is history. LeVox teamed up with cousin Jay DeMarcus and met Joe Don Rooney by accident after he stepped in to play guitar one night when the regular guitarist wasn't available. The group said they felt instant chemistry.

Rascal Flatts will be performing at 9 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 5 at BVJ.