Back on the Blacktop: Rascal Flatts’ ‘Life Is A Highway’ Tour Extends into 2026, Cementing an Unexpected Reunion
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
The legendary country trio Rascal Flatts—comprised of lead vocalist Gary LeVox, multi-instrumentalist Jay DeMarcus (bass, backing vocals), and lead guitarist Joe Don Rooney (guitar, backing vocals)—have long stood as one of the most commercially successful acts in modern country history. Their signature blend of LeVox’s powerful, soaring tenor, pop-rock production, and emotionally resonant balladry defined the sound of country radio for two decades, yielding an extraordinary run of hits like “Bless the Broken Road,” “What Hurts the Most,” and “My Wish.”
Yet, the chapter of Rascal Flatts was thought to have definitively closed.
Artist Hiatus and the Unexpected Return
The group, which formed in 1999, initially planned to celebrate their 20th anniversary with a farewell tour in 2020. However, the global pandemic forced the cancellation of the highly anticipated run, leaving the band to essentially disband without the closure of a proper goodbye to their legions of fans. In the years that followed, the members pursued various solo and personal projects, leading many to believe the reunion door was firmly shut. LeVox, in particular, expressed regret over the lack of closure, stating he was “never OK with the way that it ended.”
This is what makes the announcement of the extended “Life Is A Highway Tour” into 2026 so monumental. Following a sold-out initial run of reunion dates in 2025, the band has clearly found that the energy and demand for the trio’s electrifying live show have not diminished. It marks a decisive and joyful continuation for a band whose final chapter was once written by unfortunate circumstance.
As Jay DeMarcus noted in a statement on the tour extension, the response has been “overwhelming and humbling,” prompting the trio to collectively decide: “Why not keep the party going?”
The 2026 Tour: A Celebration of a Legacy
The 2026 leg of the “Life Is A Highway Tour” is a definitive celebration of their vast catalog, promising arena-sized renditions of 17 number-one hits and deep cuts that span their award-winning career. Fans will be eager to witness the chemistry between LeVox, DeMarcus, and Rooney that made them such a powerful live act—a synergy forged over two decades of constant touring.
The tour is also a showcase for the new generation of country talent, with fellow stars Lauren Alaina and Chris Lane joining the trek as support acts.
The “Life Is A Highway Tour” represents more than just a concert; it’s an opportunity for thousands of fans to finally experience the farewell tour that never happened, and for a band to reclaim their ending—or perhaps, write a thrilling new beginning.
Rascal Flatts: Life Is A Highway Tour 2026 Dates
The newly announced 2026 leg will traverse the country throughout January and February, culminating in a major festival appearance in June.