Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley Split the Charts

Rascal Flatts' 'I Won't Let Go' jumps three spots to land at the top of the Mediabase/Country Aircheck country chart, while Brad Paisley's 'Old Alabama' climbs to the top of Billboard's country chart. They trade places on the opposing charts with Brad at No. 2 on Mediabase/Country Aircheck and the Flatts in second place on Billboard. Miranda Lambert's recent No. 1, 'Heart Like Mine,' drops to No. 3 on both charts.

Rascal Flatts gravitated toward their latest single mainly because it spoke of their feelings as parents, but the message also applies to many situations. "'I Won't Let Go' is one of the finest songs we've ever cut, and personally, I think it's one of the finest songs written in a long time," says the Flatts' Joe Don Rooney. "Once you have children, like [me and] Gary and Jay, you really feel that in this song -- that unconditional love and support for your children." Lead singer Gary agrees, adding, "It's an unforgettable melody, and the first time we heard it, we just knew it was a monster of a song ... It's what we always look for -- that big universal lyric. It could be anything from God to mother to children to anything. It's however you perceive the song."

Brad is overwhelmed to have the legendary Alabama on one of his songs, especially as he grew up performing their songs in his shows before making the move to Nashville. "It's really an amazing experience to see them back together singing like they are and that sound that the three of their voices have," Brad says. "They're responsible for so many of us in music now that were influenced by them, and getting to hear them on the radio right next to me is a thrill of a lifetime."

Rascal Flatts appear on the first of two farewell episodes for the 'Oprah Winfrey Show.' They perform their No. 1 hit, 'I Won't Let Go.' The guys are also set to kick off their summer tour, Flatts Fest, in Bristow, Va., June 18.

Brad arrives in stores with his latest album, 'This Is Country Music,' featuring his latest No. 1 hit, 'Old Alabama,' today (May 23). He is set perform the tune when appears on ABC's 'Good Morning America,' CBS' 'The Late Show With David Letterman' and 'Hannity' on FOX News on Tuesday (May 24), as well as when he hits the road on his H20 II: Wetter & Wilder World tour June 3 in Virginia Beach, Va.

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