Joe Don Rooney, guitarist for the now-defunct country band Rascal Flatts, took to social media to clarify that he is out of the spotlight and to refute extreme rumors swirling around his gender identity.
“Sorry it's been a while since I posted,” the musician wrote on Wednesday. “It’s actually been a few years since I started interacting with my fans and friends on Twitter (now I thought so.'' to the world. “
“First of all, I'm alive! There have been a lot of rumors and opinions about me, but I'm finally healthy and ready to face the world. And no, I'm not a woman.” “I had nothing against the trans community, but I needed to set the record straight,” he stressed.
Rascal Flatts frontman Gary Levox says splitting up with band is 'weird': Everybody is 'doing their own thing'
Gary Revox, Joe Don Rooney, and Jay DeMarcus formed the country band Rascal Flatts in 1999. (Chance Yeh/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
Representatives for the former band did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for further clarification on the source of the rumors. In 2020, the band announced a farewell tour just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eventually, they canceled all performances.
Lead singer Gary Luvox, pianist Jay DeMarcus and members of Rooney officially disbanded in 2021 after performing together for more than 20 years. Luvox previously claimed that Rooney left the group, telling People magazine that he disliked the way the group broke up.
Rascal Flatts disbanded in 2021. Lead singer Gary Luvox has previously stated that he would hate to see the band break up. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
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In 2021, Rooney was arrested for drunk driving and sentenced to prison. He acknowledged his ordeal in his statement, writing that he “almost committed suicide by running straight into a tree.” He added that his life was “on the edge” and he finally asked for help.
“That incident led me to four months of alcoholism treatment in the beautiful mountains of Utah. When I first got there, I didn't want to stay here. I was filled with fear and guilt. “I really didn’t know how to get the most out of therapy and AA methods and these new tools that I had downloaded from amazing clinicians, counselors, and other patients. It took me four months to start understanding. My life has changed forever and I am grateful for the change. I have been sober for almost 28 months since January 13th of this year. ” he revealed.
Joe Don Rooney crashed his car into a tree in 2021 and was charged with drunk driving. (Williamson County Sheriff's Office)
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Looking back, Rooney said, “I wasn't a good father, I wasn't a good husband, I wasn't a good bandmate to my business partners, and if I didn't have responsibilities, I probably never would have taken those responsibilities.'' There wouldn't have been,” he said. I was in my car accident on September 9, 2021. By the way, going to jail sucks!”
Rooney was released after serving two years in prison, but was sentenced to one year in prison. He and his wife, former beauty queen Tiffany Fallon, separated in 2021 and their divorce was finalized last year. The couple have three children.
Joe Don Rooney has been sober for over two years after going to rehab. (Scott Legato/Getty Images)
“God intervened and helped me get my life back,” Rooney said of his recovery. “Thanks to the help of my family, many other professional clinical advisors, and many new friends who are now permanently sober, I was able to get back on track and live my life without the burden of alcohol. .Now I have to protect my heart.”
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“I wish there was a way I could give back to God all He has given me, but in the future I will continue to receive the blessings of God's love and grace as so many have done for me. I will do my best to reflect the light to others,” he said. he told his followers. “Thank you for all the love, support, and prayers. I promise. I felt it all and am so grateful. I wish you the best in 2024 and the healthiest, happiest, most goal-oriented life ever.” Let’s send it!!”
