Joe Don Rooney, the guitarist of the now defunct country band Rascal Flatts, took to social media to handle his evident absence from the limelight, and refute excessive rumors swirling round his gender identification.
“I’m sorry it’s been a while since I’ve posted,” the musician wrote on Wednesday. “It’s actually been a couple years since I’ve engaged with fans and friends on Twitter (now X) or Instagram. But I figured today, at the beginning of this brand new year 2024, would be a good day to send a message out to the world.”
“First off, I am alive! There have been so many rumors and opinions thrown around about me – but I’m finally healthy and ready for the world. And NO, I’m not transitioning to be a woman. That thought has never entered my mind. Nothing against the trans community whatsoever but I needed to set the record straight,” he emphasised.
Gary LeVox, Joe Don Rooney and Jay Demarcus began the nation band Rascal Flatts in 1999. (Probability Yeh/FilmMagic/Getty Photographs)
A consultant for the previous band didn’t instantly reply to Fox Information Digital’s request for additional rationalization of the rumor’s origin. In 2020, the band introduced their farewell tour proper earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic started. They finally canceled all performances.
The members, lead singer Gary LeVox, pianist Jay Demarcus and Rooney, formally disbanded in 2021 after greater than 20 years enjoying collectively. LeVox beforehand claimed that Rooney give up the group, telling Individuals journal he hated how the group dismantled.
Rascal Flatts disbanded in 2021. Lead singer Gary LeVox beforehand said that he hated how the band dismantled. (Jason Kempin/Getty Photographs)
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
In 2021, Rooney was arrested for a DUI and sentenced to time in jail. He acknowledged the hardship in his assertion, writing, “I ran square into a tree and about killed myself.” Including that he was “so far gone” along with his life, he lastly sought assist.
“That event lead me to treatment for my alcoholism for 4 months in the beautiful mountains of Utah. When I first got there, I didn’t want to stay. I was ashamed of myself. I was so full of fear and guilt, that it took me all of the those 4 months to really start understanding treatment and the AA way and how to best utilize these new tools that I downloaded from the amazing clinicians, counselors and other patients there. My life has been changed forever – and I’m grateful for the change. I’ve been sober now for almost 28 months come this Jan 13,” he revealed.
Joe Don Rooney was charged with a DUI in 2021 after crashing his automotive right into a tree. (Williamson County Sheriff’s Workplace)
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
On reflection, Rooney says he “was not a good father – I was not a good husband – and I was not a good band mate to my business partners. I probably would’ve never taken responsibility for any of this if it hadn’t been for my car wreck on Sep 9, 2021. And btw, going to jail sucks!”
Rooney was launched after two days in jail, though sentenced to a yr. He and his spouse, former magnificence queen Tiffany Fallon, separated in 2021, finalizing their divorce final yr. The couple shares three youngsters.
Joe Don Rooney has been sober for over two years since attending rehab. (Scott Legato/Getty Photographs)
“God intervened and helped me to get my life back,” Rooney said of his restoration. “With the help of my family and so many other professional clinical advisers and now numerous new sober forever friends, I’ve been able to get the train back on the tracks and live without the burden of alcohol. Now, I need to protect my family and protect my sobriety. I have new healthy boundaries for the first time in my life. Only positive, loving, caring & understanding people may enter.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I wish there was a way I could give back to God what all God has given to me – but moving forward, I will do my best to reflect God’s light of love and grace onto others like so many have done for me,” he instructed his followers. “Thank you for all the love, support and prayers. I promise you, I’ve felt them all and I’m super appreciative. Here’s to making the best of 2024 and living our most healthiest, happiest and goal oriented lives ever!!”
