Rascal Flatts Hope to ‘Change History’ at Children’s Hospital

Rascal Flatts have enjoyed a long partnership with Nashville's Monroe Carell, Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, having helped raise more than three million dollars since first becoming involved with the facility. The three band members -- Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney -- have announced plans to continue offering their support throughout 2012, focusing their efforts on the hospital's neonatal center.

"It's the only thing, medically, that they just have no clue on," Gary says in a statement from the group's label, Big Machine. "Why children are born premature. So we're going to do what we can to help try to find out and see if we can't just be a small part of trying to change history a little bit."

The group's efforts have been recognized by the hospital, which showed appreciation for the trio's generosity in 2010 with the naming of the Rascal Flatts Pediatric Surgery Center. The threesome insist they are always happy to lend their support.

"Our intent from day one was just to try to raise some money and create more awareness for this wonderful hospital," Joe Don explains. "It's turned out to be a journey that I don't think we've ever dreamed would come this far. I know, as a parent myself now, that if anything was to happen to my children, they'd be in great hands at this wonderful, wonderful hospital ... Through all this, we've learned a great deal about ourselves and family and about just how important it is to love our kids and just be proud supporters."

Jay DeMarcus and his wife, Allison, have just announced they will be parents for a second time. Gary and Joe Don are both dads to two children as well.

Rascal Flatts will receive the 2012 Artist Humanitarian Award at this year's Country Radio Seminar (CRS), in honor of their ongoing charitable efforts. As for their music, Rascal Flatts' new album, 'Changed,' will be available April 3. They are currently in the middle of the their Thaw Out 2012 tour, with Sara Evans and Hunter Hayes serving as opening acts. Keep track of their tour schedule here.