Rascal Flatts look to young songwriters for big hits

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Early on in their career, the country trio Rascal Flatts dealt with critics of their pop-country sound and being labeled a country music boy band that sang mostly to young people.

Seventeen years later with the release of their 10th studio album, “Back to Us,” the trio of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney still rely on young songwriters and artists to keep their music sounding fresh, even if the material is more age appropriate for them as husbands and fathers.

They have recorded songs by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor and rising country duo Dan + Shay. They even have a new duet with 22-year-old “American Idol” alum Lauren Alaina.

DeMarcus said nurturing young country artists is helpful to the entire genre.

“Back to Us” is out May 19.