First thing you think about Vegas sure isn’t Country Music. But let me tell you after Wednesday nights performance by Rascal Flatts at The Joint, I think Country should own Sin City.The fellas were on the 3rd last night of their residency at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and boy did they bring one hell of a show. I have seen Rascal Flatts on a couple of occasions one being a VERY small acoustic set for a lucky audience at CTV’s Canada AM, when they released the current album almost 2 years back and my daughter actually got to be on TV and pass along a little note to the boys that morning. The other when CMT Music Fest had the inaugural show out Burls Creek 6 years back. However Wednesday night at the Joint was something special. It was Sound Check’s first time in Vegas and covering one of Country’s top acts was pretty surreal.
The boys brought along The Voice contestant Barrett Baber. Now, I didn’t watch the voice last season so I really didn’t have a clue who Barrett was. But I do now, and so do the other 3200 people in attendance. A former school teacher turned touring artists over the last year is a pretty impressive feat but once you hear his voice you know he deserves every ounce of it. Performing a couple of his own tunes mixed in with some very well selected covers, Barrett delivered a fantastic 5 or 6 song set to kick the night off.
Barrett Baber performs at The Joint in Las Vegas – Photo: Corey Kelly
Barrett has a new single hitting the radio soon and we can’t wait for the rest of the world to hear it because the audience sure enjoyed it. In a genre where it seems there are artists being introduced to us everyday I feel that Barrett stands out with a personality that is so thankful for what he is doing. I truly do look forward to Mr. Baber’s bright future.
And @BarrettBaber has us a little #TipsyOnWine @TheJointLV #Vegas #TheVoice pic.twitter.com/7kAZQQ6NIL
— Sound Check Ent. (@SoundCheckBlg) March 3, 2016
Following Barrett was of course Rascal Flatts, and let me tell ya, from the moment the music started the boys were into it. The crowd however took a bit of time. The boys encouraged the somewhat stale crowd to get up an enjoy the show. This ain’t no church sermon folks this is a Country concert during the 3rd song of the set the guys invited the crowd to stand up and enjoy the show, which a good bunch of the floor seats obliged and got out of their seats and got those booty’s and arms shakin’. The fellas played a full 80 min set which is unusual for at most Casino shows that I have seen over the last couple years and didn’t disappoint.
Rascal Flatts perform at The Joint in Las Vegas – Photo: Corey Kelly
Rascal Flatts perform at The Joint in Las Vegas – Photo: Corey Kelly
Playing the hits that have made them one of the top acts in Country such as My Wish, Life Is A Highway and Broken Road to name a few. When Jay Demarcus took the mic to chat with the crowd for a bit it almost felt as though he could also have a career in stand up comedy. This guy has a brilliant sense of humour and had the crowd in stitches during his quick banter with the audience. It was the moment that I caught on film and tweeted out that night that really had most laughing when the boys had a little fun with the crowd.
Oh…baby, @RascalFlatts are hilarious tonight @TheJointLV #Vegas pic.twitter.com/JlyGu2UfTO
— Sound Check Ent. (@SoundCheckBlg) March 3, 2016
So just in case the band ever decides to part ways I think Jay has a great chance at a career in stand up. Joe Don also took the mic to chat during the set which gave Gary a chance to take a breather.
Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts performs at The Joint in Las Vegas – Photo: Corey Kelly
I remember standing beside a couple from the Illinois area and the wife saying that Gary’s voice is so unique and quote “The voice of an angel” , Now I personally don’t know about an angel but his voice live is unreal! Gary does have one of those voices that is even better live than on the album in my personal opinion. The boys are coming to Canada this summer to play a gig out in Halifax and possibly a few more on the Rhythm & Roots Tour. My only disappointment from the night was they didn’t play my personal favourite Payback but guess that left me wanting more.
Corey Kelly / @CoreyKelly76
More Photos
A little #LifeIsAHighway by @RascalFlatts #LIVE from @TheJointLV #Vegas pic.twitter.com/CJauxpH8nc
— Sound Check Ent. (@SoundCheckBlg) March 3, 2016
Gary LaVox of Rascal Flatts performs at The Joint in Las Vegas – Photo: Corey Kelly
Rascal Flatts perform at The Joint in Las Vegas – Photo: Corey Kelly
Rascal Flatts perform at The Joint in Las Vegas – Photo: Corey Kelly
Barrett Baber performs at The Joint in Las Vegas – Photo: Corey Kelly
Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts performs at The Joint in Las Vegas – Photo: Corey Kelly
Jay Demarcus of Rascal Flatts performs at The Joint in Las Vegas – Photo: Corey Kelly
Rascal Flatts perform at The Joint in Las Vegas – Photo: Corey Kelly
