Rascal Flatts’ ACM Performance With Christina Aguilera Is a Chance at Redemption

Rascal Flatts will perform with pop star Christina Aguilera during Sunday’s (April 19) ACM Awards in Dallas. The group will help her sing her new song “Shotgun,” before they transition to their hit “Riot,” from the Rewind album. This year there will be no doubt if they’re singing for real.

Bassist Jay DeMarcus tells USA Today that Sunday’s performance is “a chance to redeem ourselves” after being forced to lip sync in 2014. Singer Gary LeVox lost his voice before the show, so they chose to fake it instead of canceling. Fans quickly figured it out, and the trio were left having to explain themselves.

“We’re still getting asked about it,” DeMarcus admits.

“Shotgun” was written for Aguilera’s character on ABC’s Nashville. She plays a pop star taking a turn at country, and sings this song. Aguilera says the awards show version will be different than what fans hear on ABC, but calls it a “quiet, beautiful song about true love that lasts a lifetime.”

“Riot” is the third single from Rewind, the follow-up to “Payback” and “Rewind.” In addition to performing, the group are nominated for Vocal Group of the Year for the first time since 2012. In February they said they were humbled by the nomination.

“It really means the absolute world to us. It felt so good to be nominated again,” LeVox tells Taste of Country. “Not that we went anywhere. We’ve been humping like we have every year. But you miss what you don’t have."

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