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“Blazin’ Your Own Trail Again”, by… REO Haywagon?!?
Back in around 2002 I went to Nashville to record demos of some REO songs with a group of amazing Country players, and we brought in Nashville session singers to do the vocals. The project was nick-named REO Haywagon. A few years later I was listening back to that demo, and the vocal on “Blazin’ Your Own Trail Again” sounded like the guy was trying to imitate Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts. I have always felt that LeVox had one of the best, and most unique voices in Country music.
So we played the Twin Cities Jam last night, and shared the stage with Rascal Flatts. As we were walking off after our set Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus, and Joe Don Rooney came up and said hello, as they had been watching from the stage right wing. The guys told me that a couple of years before Rascal Flatts released their first album, they had done a session in Nashville, and it was in fact Gary LeVox who sang lead on the Haywagon version of “Blazin’ Your Own Trail Again”.
We talked about how Country and Rock music fit together these days, and that it all comes down to the songs. Jay was saying that he had always sensed a little Country influence in REO’s music… and he is right.
By the way, Rascal Flatts can also rock. Their performance has big time energy. I was standing side-stage when Joe Don Rooney broke into a totally rocking solo Les Paul guitar moment. That boy can flat out play. The Rascal Flatts are all very cool people, and I have a feeling we will be seeing them on down the road… kc
