Rascal Flatts Receives ACM’s Humanitarian Award

 

Country Music trio Rascal Flatts will be the 2008 recipient of the Academy of Country Music/The Home Depot® Humanitarian Award, to be presented during the 43rdAnnual Academy Of Country Music Awards ceremony. The show will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

 

The Humanitarian Award recognizes country music artists who serve others, have a generous spirit and help build the dreams of those in need. The members of Rascal Flatts, Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney, were selected by a special blue-ribbon committee comprised of executives in the country music industry as well as local and national philanthropic leaders for their ongoing community service and charitable giving of their time and talent.

 

“We have been blessed with some incredible successes in our career the past couple of years,” said Rooney. “The most rewarding thing for us is the opportunity to give back to our communities. We’d like to thank The Home Depot and the Academy for recognizing us in such a humbling way.”

 

As the recipient of the Humanitarian Award, Rascal Flatts will receive a beautiful crystal trophy designed by Tiffany & Co. during the live CBS telecast. They will also be honored with a playground donated by The Home Depot and the Company’s national nonprofit partner KaBOOM!, which envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. The playground will be built by The Home Depot volunteers and community members in the city of Rascal Flatts choice. Past recipients of the Humanitarian Award include Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, Lonestar, Martina McBride, Neal McCoy and Reba McEntire.

 

“The Humanitarian Award embodies the kind of giving spirit that the Academy strives to foster within the industry,” said Bob Romeo, executive director of the Academy of Country Music. “The selfless giving to others by artists like Rascal Flatts helps bring that spirit to life, and makes us so proud to be part of the country music community.”

 

“Philanthropy and giving back are embedded in The Home Depot culture and are at the core of the Humanitarian Award,” said John Ross, vice president of advertising for The Home Depot. “The members of Rascal Flatts show a true dedication to charitable giving and community service and exemplify the values represented by both The Home Depot and the Academy of Country Music. We are proud to recognize them for their contributions and impact on improving our local communities.”