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Rascal Flatts look to young songwriters for big hits

Rascal Flatts look to young songwriters for big hits | iNFOnews.ca
FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2016, file photo, Meghan Trainor performs a tribute to Shania Twain during the CMT Artists of the Year awards show in Nashville, Tenn. On their 10th studio album, country group Rascal Flatts relies on young singers and songwriters to keep their music sounding fresh after 17 years together. The trio has cut songs by pop singer/songwriter Meghan Trainor and new country duo Dan + Shay, and recorded a duet with “American Idol” alum Lauren Alaina. (Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP, File)

NASHVILLE – Early on in their career, the country trio Rascal Flatts dealt with critics of their pop-country sound and being labeled a country music boy band that sang mostly to young people.

Seventeen years later with the release of their 10th studio album, “Back to Us,” the trio of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney still rely on young songwriters and artists to keep their music sounding fresh, even if the material is more age appropriate for them as husbands and fathers.

They have recorded songs by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor and rising country duo Dan + Shay. They even have a new duet with 22-year-old “American Idol” alum Lauren Alaina.

DeMarcus said nurturing young country artists is helpful to the entire genre.

“Back to Us” is out May 19.

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Abbey Westbury

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