CMT Blog: Archive

As a two-dimensional photo, the cover of the limited edition version of Rascal Flatts' upcoming greatest hits album appears a little plain, but maybe if you think hard enough, you can envision what the actual packaging will look like. So imagine, if you will, the band's logo embossed in raised silver foil and some sort of a neon ink process on the blue background to create a glowing effect. The black border is lowered with a matte coating that will enhance the other features of the packaging. Oh, and it's described as an eight-panel, two-CD digipak with two booklets -- one for each CD.

The limited edition release will arrive Oct. 28, and that version only will include three bonus tracks -- "White Christmas," "Jingle Bell Rock" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas." (Wow. I just realized that this is going to be in stores in plenty of time for Christmas. It almost makes you wonder if the release date was timed to take advantage of the holiday sales.)

By the way, the album contains 13 of the band's biggest hits and is titled Rascal Flatts Greatest Hits Volume 1. It always seems optimistic when any act tags the Volume 1 to the "greatest hits" or "best of" title. Some have done it and never managed to score enough hits for that second volume.

In Rascal Flatts' case, though, there seems to be little danger of that happening. First of all, they've worked hard to generate an incredibly large and loyal fan base. Their albums routinely sell millions of copies -- which, in turn, means that they're getting pitched the best material from songwriters and publishers. Above all, though, I've never heard the first rumor of the three Rascal Flatts members getting into the kind of band squabbles that have caused more than a few multi-platinum acts to break up. When the money starts rolling in and fame arrives, the key to any band or duo's longevity is often a simple matter of just getting along with one another. There's a lot to be said for friendship.