A Glimpse Inside Gary LeVox's Life
If you haven't read the April issue of Reader's Digest, get to your local dentist office and do so immediately. There is an up-close look at the life of Gary LeVox, the distinctive voice behind every Rascal Flatts megahit. So in a sea of reviews about the new album, Unstoppable, this story takes the back door in to reveal some things you probably never knew about LeVox. "As a kid growing up in Columbus, Ohio, I was moved by music. Whether a song was happy or sad, if it made me feel something, that was all that mattered," he said. Then he talks about singing hymns at his grandparents' house on Saturday nights, about maybe someday reaching out to his estranged stepfather and about getting discovered at Lonnie's Western Room (a karaoke bar in Nashville). It's a side of LeVox you rarely ever hear about. But the bottom line is, like he says at the end, "I have exceeded every dream I've ever had."
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Kate says:
GARY IS AMAZING!
Abby says:
He is a truly wonderful singer! I love Gary!
K says:
He’s a fine singer, and obviously millions of people love his voice whether he is considered a good “technical” singer or not. Haven’t you ever heard Britney, Maddona,Bob Dylan or Wille Nelson? They are LEGENDS in the music industry and still cannot sing well live.
RF’s fanbase is only growing, too. They are one of only two country acts to make the Bilboard Top ten tours (for two years in a row). Obviously many think Gary is talented, wouldn’t you say? They also became the only country act ever to sell out Madison Square Garden three years in a row; You can’t argue with that.
Whether YOU think Gary is a talented singer or not doesn’t matter, but their millions of fans have spoken and WE think they are talented live.
K says:
By the way, add Taylor Swift, Rodney Atkins, John Rich, Big Kenny to the country side of less-than-stellar live singers. And on the pop side, add Lady Gaga, Fergie, and the Pussycat Dolls.
And Kenny Chesney sounds like crap, too. He’s voice has the most boring tone I’ve ever heard.
Before you start knocking Gary for being an average live singer, take a look around you.
You don’t sell 19 million albums and become the band with the most number one albums of the ENTIRE DECADE because you are not talented.
Joe says:
Since when does record sales indicate whether an artist is talented or not? How many records has Jessica Simpson sold? Or Britney Spears, for that matter? Every one of the artists you just called out for being “less-than-steller” live singers are mediocre at best. Take into account Levox doesn’t write any of Rascal Crap’s songs and that takes his talent level even lower. Add in the fact that they’re a crappy pop band masquerading as a country act and it just makes them annoying.
amy says:
Umm for joe…you mention gary dosent write any RF songs..actually he wrote fast cars and freedom, and melt which both went to number one on the charts. Hes also written things that matter on the new album explaining life without a father. Next time you comment make sure you have your facts straight, gary also writes songs for other artists. Check the songwritters next time you listen to a song. Your a complete idiot
Joe says:
Actually he co-wrote Fast Cars and Freedom as well as Melt. He “co-wrote” the song on their new album as well. I’m always suspicious when artists who’ve never written anything previously are given co-writing credits on songs. What it generally means is they were in the room while the song was being written. Jessica Simpson and Carrie Underwood have co-writing credits as well, if that tells you anything. Also take into account Fast Cars and Freedom aren’t good songs and you aren’t exactly paying him a compliment when you bring up that he had a co-writing credit on them.
Regardless, Rascal Flatts isn’t even country to begin with. If they’d take their act over to pop radio and stop pretending to be country, you’d never hear a cross word from me about them. They’d fit right in over there, anyway. Plenty of crappy music to be found in that genre.
Joann says:
Gary has the most amazing voice i have ever heard i’m 33 years old and this man just speaks to me and to so many other’s with he sings. His has the voice of an angel.
Megan says:
@Joe: Did you just impugn the talent of songwriters who “co-write” songs? That has got to be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Do you have any idea how hard it is to sit down and write an entire song by yourself? Just because a songwriter collaborates with somebody else to write does not mean they aren’t contributing to the process. How many songs have you written, Joe? Just a thought…
garylevoxfan4life says:
gary levox is my favorite member of rascal flatts and im a fan of gary 4 life because all the songs he co wrote are my favorite and summer nights and things that matter are 2 of the best songs i think gary has ever written and gary has the voice of a angel and rascal flatts rock country music
Ryan says:
To Joe: Gary wrote a song called See Me Through on their first album. Do a little research before you write something. And if Fast Cars and Freedom isn’t that good, why did it win an ASCAP for writing? By the way, Jessica Simpson’s album tanked so that’s a bad example. Do you feel that you have to get your ignorant point across because your mother didn’t pay attention to you when you spoke as a child? You’re an idiot and I’m guessing that you are a talentless zilch who is jealous if Gary’s success. Also, Rascal Crap? That’s the most creative thing you can come up with? You have the wit of an autistic.
Always Right says:
Ryan,
Joe is right. Rascal Flatts blows.
amy says:
always right spoken like a true close minded idiot.
K says:
Gary does have songwriting credit, do your research
I have, and here’s what he’s co-wrote:
See Me Through
Shine On
I Melt
Oklahoma-Texas Line
Fast Cars And Freedom
Peices
Summer Nights
Bob That Head
Winner At A Losing Game
Things That Matter
He also plays panio and acouistic guitar by the way.
Joe, I never said selling records had anything to do with talent. I said if millions of people are going to your concerts and buying your records SOME PEOPLE must think they’re talented; I did not say you had to think that. You don’t sell millions of records and concert tickets every year because no one thinks you’re talented. Use your head before you criticize.
garylevoxfan4life says:
gary also wrote still feelsgood and she goes all the way too
hotelmotel says:
Although LeVox has co-writer credit on several songs, he may not necessarily have contributed much to those songs.
A lot of times, the “artist” who is a “co-writer” is basically just sitting in the same room as the “real” writer. The “real writer” benefits because the song is almost certain to be included on the “artists” next album and the “artist” benefits because he/she gets a cut of the money from “co-writing.”
I don’t think anyone of us can really know how much LeVox has written or not.
Amber says:
Just thought I would add a few songs to Gary’s songwriting credit.
A DREAM I NEVER HAD
BEAUTIFUL BREAK
BOB THAT HEAD(still feels good album)
BOYS LIFE
COUNTRY AND ROLL
EVEN MORE AMAZING
FAITH IN LOVE(reba duets)
HE SAID HE WOULD
HEAD OVER HEELS(available)
I WAS BORN TO(available)
I’VE GOT YOU
IF YOU DIDN’T LOVE ME(phil stacey record)
LET IT ALL HANG OUT
LIKE THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO
LOVE ANOTHER DAY(available)
MAYBE FOREVER WILL
MILLER WALKER’S BARN
MURPHY’S LOVE
PRINCESS IN MY EYES
ROCK-A-BYE
SAVE ME FROM ME
SHE GOES ALL THE WAY(still feels good)
SHE KNEW MY VOICE
SO GLAD I FOUND ON YOU
SOMEWHERE OVER YOU
STILL FEELS GOOD(still feels good)
STOP LOOK AND LOVE ME
SUMMER JOB DAYS
THE MAN IN LOVE WITH YOU(available)
THE TRUTH ABOUT ME
THIS PRETENDER(Joe Diffe record)
TIL I STOP BREATHING
TRUTH ABOUT ME, THE
WAIT FOR YOU
WAY, THE(available)
WE GOT LOVE(available)
WHAT ARE YOU DOING
WHAT KIND OF MAN
WHEN YOU KNOW YOU KNOW
WHERE THE TRUTH LIES
WHEREVER YOUR LOVE TAKES ME
WHO ARE WE
WHO’S LOOKING OUT FOR YOU
YOU AIN’T BEEN LOVED
YOU CAN’T GET THERE FROM HERE
Hey Megan. You think it would be easier to co write? For me, I think it would be opposite. I would have a harder time being on the exact same page with another person to write a decent song. Maybe not though because I’ve never co-written.
Joe says:
The fact that Bob That Head is one of his “co-writes” brings him down even lower in my estimation. That might be the worst song in the history of country music.
To Megan: By no means am I trying to denigrate anyone who has a number of co-writing credits. What I’m saying is it’s a little shady when an artist with no previous songwriting credits all of a sudden has a co-writing credit with “real” songwriters. And just because someone isn’t a songwriter doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t a great artist. It’s just that
1) LeVox isn’t a good singer(as is evidenced by his live performances)
and
2) RF doesn’t make country music. They’re a pop band masquerading as a country act.
RedMaZ says:
To Joe…you seem to be using the term “Pop” as a genre. If you could, will you desribe this genre known as “Pop”, and maybe give me some of it’s history? Including founding members, origin, instruments used, and name a few of today’s key artists. Thanks you.
Alicia says:
Okay first of all Joe, who died and made you the “song writing God?” if you do your history on Rascal Flatts, Gary has written more songs than probably your pee brain could EVER even dream of writing.
Secondly, since when does Pop music talking ‘pickin on a six string?’ I’m sorry last time I checked that was a “COUNTRY” reference. And also I believe last time I believe “co writting” counted.
Thirdly, by you referring to them as ‘Rascal Crap’ goes to show what an idiot you are in the first place. So here’s an idea Joe. Why don’t you stick to something you know?? Because from the ’simple minded’ comments you just made shows you no NOTHING about Rascal Flatts or music for that matter!!!
K says:
First of all, Joe, as I said earlier , millions of people obviously love Gary as a singer and think he’s awesome; they have played to over one million in the past two years, and people are paying good money to hear him sing live. I dobut one million people would be willing to shell out 80-100 dollars a ticket if they felt Gary was a bad singer. You may feel that way but opinion is NOT fact.
And you may think Bob that Head is a bad song, but there are plenty of others that are right up there with it. “Bob That Head” is no worse than songs like “She Think’s My Tractor’s Sexy, “Watching You” “Good Time” “Shiftwork” “Ill Walk” and many more. “The worst song in the history of country music” is a pretty bold statement but again it is not a fact. The likes and dislikes someone may have about a particular artist are opinions and nothing more. You have no factual info to back up your claim, so you therefore cannot make yourself credible.
I don’t know how many times anyone has to say this, but Gary wrote “See Me Through” on the first album. He’s had songwriting credit from the begining, and that’s a fact. Maybe you should stop your shallow, childish posts and do a little research.
Gary has had plenty of decent live performances, I could recommend a few. Just because you see him on an awards show once a year does not mean you know anything about his singing ability.
This “pop” argument is so old it’s sick. They have never remixed a song to play to top 40, they’ve never marketed to a pop audience, either. They are no more “pop” than Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Lady A, Kenny Chesney, or anyone else currently on country radio.
RedMaZ says:
K, maybe you would care to define “Pop”. Do you believe it to be an individual genre too?
Alicia says:
I have to agree with K……. I’m not one to dish out money on just anything, and yes I am a DIE HARD Rascal Flatts fan, and have been to countless numbers of concerts, paying a good 88 dollars and more for a ticket…. and from the looks of it, by a “sell out” crowd at almost EVERY SHOW on EVERY tour they’ve been on…… hmmmm how can THAT many people be wrong?
Secondly, I bet you have never even been to a REAL Rascal Flatts live performance. What Gary and the boys do live is nothing short of ‘BREATH-TAKING’!! So again.. before you go rattling off at the mouth, get your facts straight. And by the looks of it, from as many people that have posted and stated the things Gary has written and accomplished shows you never had your facts straight to begin with. So go ahead keep rambling, you’re just making yourself look like a bigger idiot.
joedonrooneyishot says:
RF are the best perfomers/entertainers i have ever seen live/on t.v! gary levox has the voice of an angel and joe don and jay’s harmonies are breathtaking.
who cares if they dont write their own music! they just want to pick the best songs. not everybody is a freakin taylor swift. like the guys say the best song wins.
Megan says:
@Amber: I’m in the same boat as you on never having collaborated with another songwriter (yet). However, when the number of songs written single-handedly by a writer in today’s industry is weighed against those that have been co-written by two or more people, those that have multiple writers definitely outnumber the others. I’m not saying it’s easier or harder to write with another person, I’m just pointing to what seems to be the predominate trend.
@Joe: I understand your logic, and I do wonder exactly how much brand new artists like Carrie Underwood contribute to the process when they haven’t been in music for that long at all, but Gary has been in this business for ten years and as Amber showed you– he’s written a LOT of stuff. Obviously there’s no way to tell how much of the songs he wrote, but I honestly think he has talent as a writer. Also, I agree with what you said about an artist not having to be a good songwriter in order to experience sucess in their career– just look at George Strait.
Awesome Country Boy says:
Would RF remain popular if Gary Levox came out of the closet? And if he did come out, would he out his lover, Kenny Cheesney? You know Levox is the reason that Zelwegger broad divorced Cheesney.
RedMaZ says:
Still waiting for your reply Joe and K. Tell me of this genre known as “Pop”.
K says:
Gary has been married for ten years and he has two children..Kenny was married for a few MONTHS and doesn’t even have a girlfriend.
merlefan46 says:
How many young females would follow the flats if they had pot bellies were bald and in their 40′r or 50’s
Carson says:
As i see,there are many lovely girls who get crazy for Rascal flatts and Gary.Gary is not handsome but he is loved by millions people.
Hey,Gary fans,leave these haters alone.They are too childish.
I never got crazy for a male singer before Gary came into my life.He is so amazing.I’m learning their songs and it is sooo difficult for me to handle my breath to sing well.
Gary’s voice is gift from God,if he is not talented,then who is.
Who says Bob that head is a worse country song?You are so vain.
Remember,Rascal flatts has already won twice people’s choice awards.It is Americans who vote for them.Millions of fans are there supporting them.They are the best band ever.
Hey,Gary fans,I’m so jealous of you guys because all of you are in American and there are always many chances for you to meet them on concerts.It’s so hard for me to find some live show videos,let alone going for a concert.
I want to become a member of any RF fanbase but I have no idea how to find one.I just hope that one day I would come to American ,watch them performaning,and ask posting for a picture.And i want to meet and hug Carrie too.
Gary’s biggest fan in China
Tesla Pracht says:
hey y’all for the girls that LOVE GARY and think HE’S HOTT way to go i think HE’S SMOKIN’ HOTT. I’ve LOVED HIM for along time and well i’m only well 14 yrs. old. and i’m obssesed with HIM. I LOVE ALL HIS MUSIC LOVE mostly what HE LOVES and well i gotta say this i LOVE what HE LOVES to do. Well talk ta y’all later.
Ranie Elias says:
Gary is so sexy - he is such a great singer - he sings with such great emotion and feeling - you can tell he truly loves what he does.
ray says:
I have to give credit to the other members of the band Jay Demarcus and Joe Don Rooney. They sing back up and play gituar and piano for the band. I also want to say that when Gary,Jay,and Joe Dons voices blend together it sounds amazing. Gary loves what he does you can tell when he sings that he is expressing his feelings.
Rascall Flatts Girl says:
I have never ventured country until I heard Rascall Flatts
on New Years rocking eve with Dick clark.I cannot get enough of these guy’s and just love Gary Levox.And Gary has an amazing voice! it is not average by any means! So you tell them Amy.Rascall Flatts Rocks !!!!!
Michigan Joe says:
First of all, Gary Wayne Vernon is pretty arrogant to take the stage name “LeVox” since LeVox means “the voice.” If you’re gonna take a name like that, you’d better have the chops to back it up. The tell tale sign of true vocal talent is the ability to sing live. Gary obviously can’t pull this off. Of course he sounds good in the studio! Anyone can with all of the technical tools that they have like vocal tuners, etc. Go and checkout this video on youtube (41st CMA Awards: Rascal Flatts with Jamie Fox - 15/16) and you’ll see just how crappy he is. This video is doctored or edited. Just pure “LeVox” in all his angelic vocal glory! It’s pitiful that someone can get so much recognition for having less than mediocre talent. I lived in Nashville for 30 years and there’s more talent on the street corners and in the honkey tonks in Nashville than this guy could ever dream of having. Maybe he should have used a different French last name like Gary Charlatan which means “a flamboyant deceiver.”
Michigan Joe says:
Tha should have said “This video is NOT doctored or edited….”
Michigan Joe says:
I guess my earlier comment made too much sense and had too much truth to it to allow you to leave it on this page. Nice censorship CMT. Don’t have a blog if you’re going to censor what is written on it. My comments contained no foul language just truth.
Rascalflattsgirl says:
I love Gary’s voice! He is an awesome singer….Technical? no way. The ballads are songs that I can listen to over, and over again. Moving on was a touching story made into a lovely ballad that alot of us can relate to, along with so many others!!! Also, love that when you buy their CD’s, you know you are going to enjoy it from track one to the very last! Cannot get enough of these guy’s…
Rascalflattsgirl says:
@Michigan Joe, Do you know the story behind the name? he has told it a hundred times!!!
Shany says:
Michigan Joe:
You can’t possibly think that performance is a good representation of Gary’s ability to sing live. He was sick, you can look it up. While you’re at it, look up Rascal Flatts - I won’t let go (Live on Letterman). Not one missed note.
And if you don’t like the way he sings, that’s your own problem. He has his own unique style. That doesn’t make him a bad singer.