Rascal Flatts Announce New Album Release Date

It's been less than a year since the release of their most recent studio album, 'Nothing Like This,' but Joe Don Rooney, Jay DeMarcus and Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts have already set a date for the follow-up to their Big Machine Records label debut, which features the No. 1 singles 'Why Wait' and 'I Won't Let Go.'

The talented trio plan to spend the rest of the year, following the wrap of their successful Flatts Fest headlining tour, working on the new album. "April 3 of next year it'll be out," Joe Don confirms to Billboard, adding that they will also "spend some time with the family back in Nashville" during their time off from the road.

While he'll likely enjoy the downtime with his wife and baby girl, Jay jokes that he has other plans, as well. "I'm actually going to rehab," jokes the bass player. "It's been a long summer."

Rascal Flatts performed at the IHeartRadio Music Festival over the weekend (Sept. 23-24), joining fellow country superstars Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood for the multi-genre concert extravaganza. The guys invited 'Easy' collaborator Natasha Bedingfield to perform their current Top 20 single. (Watch the 'Easy' video below.)

"It's a song that's so emotionally wonderful and has an amazing story to it," Natasha gushes about her first foray into country music. "These guys, I love them, so when they approached me and were like, 'You should sing the song with us,' I was like, 'I'm there.'"

As we reported earlier this morning, Rascal Flatts were joined onstage by Vince Gill Tuesday (Sept. 27) at the Grand Ole Opry, accepting an invitation to become the newest members of the iconic country music institution. Rascal Flatts will be officially inducted into the Opry on Oct. 8.