Five moves that put Rascal Flatts on top

(L-R) Musicians Joe Don Rooney, Gary LeVox, and Jay DeMarcus... — (L-R) Musicians Joe Don Rooney, Gary LeVox, and Jay DeMarcus from the musical group Rascal Flatts arrive at the American Country Awards 2010 held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Dec. 6, 2010) Credit: Getty Images

By STEVE KNOPPER. Special to NewsdayFebruary 24, 2011

For the first time in its charmed, meticulously planned, country-megastar career, Rascal Flatts stumbled last year. Maybe it was the recession. Maybe it was too much of the same thing. The trio's formulaic 2010 album, "Nothing Like This," barely went gold, compared to 2006's "Me and My Gang," which sold 4.8 million. The Flatts switched record labels and split with its longtime managers over the past year. But only suckers would underestimate these savvy country veterans. They still sell out arenas, draw big sponsorships and have the juice to duet with Justin Bieber. Here's how they've done it:

1. Harmonies, melodies and pathos The Flatts established its potent hit formula on its first single, 2002's "These Days." The song is about a girl, of course, plus a few teardrops falling like rain. It's all super-catchy, melancholy and, thanks to the voices of lead singer Gary LeVox and backups Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney, unflappably on key.

2. Rock and syrup DeMarcus, LeVox and Rooney are rugged types who look good in cowboy jeans. They cover hard-rock touchstones like Tom Cochran's "Life Is a Highway" and Journey's "Open Arms," stomp through their own "Backwards" and occasionally nod to the power guitars of Bachman-Turner Overdrive. But they never forget to mix it up with ballads - the title track to the Flatts' latest album showcases the band's quintessential soaring high harmonies and lovey-dovey lyrics.

3. Location, location, location The early crossover hits allowed Rascal Flatts to play big cities like Los Angeles and New York - including three sold-out Madison Square Garden shows - and a tour sponsorship with J.C. Penney helped solidify its base in the heartland.

4. And about those sponsors The band isn't exactly working with Lady Gaga's palette, fashion-wise, but the trio gets a lot of rock-star mileage out of tight jeans, vintage T-shirts and, of course, boots. (The chain will sponsor the band's live ABC special March 2.)

5. The Biebs! The Biebs! The band recorded "That Should Be Me" with Bieber for his "Never Say Never" soundtrack. If the dreamy teen's Grammy loss for Best New Artist doesn't wound his career, the Flatts should wind up with a shiny, new, young, loyal audience.

WHO Rascal Flatts, with Luke Bryan and Chris Young

WHEN | WHERE Friday night at 7:30, Nassau Coliseum

TICKETS $21.50-$95.50

INFO 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com

What critics say

"But more than 10 years into their career the band is still packing . . . turning in a loud, booming and boisterous hour-and-

45-minute set of vintage fare as well as newer selections . . . . For much of the night, the band straddled the line between being bombastic and sublime, far from a traditional country band but not quite the genuine rock 'n' roll deal either."

- Kevin O'Hare, The Republican, Springfield, Mass.

"The show flowed effortlessly between upbeat, swing-your-hips songs like 'Life Is a Highway' and gentler, more musical, sway-with-your-cell-phone-in-the-air ballads like 'Bless the Broken Road.' . . . The only visible struggle throughout the show was a limping DeMarcus, who explained that they were allowed to play some basketball at the Illinois basketball practice facility earlier in the day and that he won't be shooting hoops again anytime soon."

- Maggie O'Connor, Daily Illini, University of Illinois

"There were a few stops along the way that briefly derailed the pace before the crowd of 8,000. But for the most part, Rascal Flatts operated with a repertoire that emphasized its cheeriest, most efficiently emotive songs and a stage design that greatly helped contain the show's drive."

- William Tunis, Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader