Rascal-Flatts-Jay-DeMarcus-Shares-Flashback-Reba-McEntire-Photo-2020-CMA-Awards

Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus Shares Flashback Reba McEntire Photo Ahead of 2020 CMA Awards

Rascal Flatts’ guitarist Jay DeMarcus is feeling nostalgic. He shared a throwback photo of Reba McEntire in honor of her hosting the upcoming CMA Awards.

In the photo, DeMarcus plays with McEntire and Kix Brooks, of Brooks and Dunn, in a small jam session. DeMarcus captioned the photo with “Good Times.”

Reba McEntire and Jay DeMarcus Worked Together on an Album

DeMarcus and McEntire are friends off-stage and have known each other for years. In 2017, McEntire worked with DeMarcus on her album Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope. The Rascal Flatts guitarist produced a number of songs on the album. He also worked with Ronnie Dunn, the other half of Brooks and Dunn.

“I’ve known Jay for forever, but Ronnie Dunn—Ronnie worked with Jay on Ronnie’s last project, Tattooed Heart,” McEntire told Nash Country Daily. “I said to Ronnie, ‘How was [Jay] in the studio?’ He said, ‘Absolutely too much fun. He’s a genius. He’s great, he’s a great musician. Great arranger. He knows harmony inside and out. He’s a great musician and he knows pickers. He knows how to work with musicians.’ That’s a great combination. That’s a perfect combination for a great producer. If you can work with Ronnie Dunn, you can work with anybody [laughing].”

She let DeMarcus have his pick of which song he wanted to produce on the album. Later, McEntire joked DeMarcus was difficult to work with because he made her smile and laugh in the studio.

“It’s hard,” she told the outlet, “but he lightens the mood.”

McEntire may need a bit of DeMarcus’ spirit for the upcoming CMA Awards on Nov. 11. She promised a light and upbeat show for audiences who have dealt with an uncertain year. This will be the fifth time that McEntire has hosted the award ceremony. She shares hosting duty with Darius Rucker, who will be hosting for the first time.

The ceremony will also feature a tribute to several late musicians: Charlie Daniels, Joe Duffie and Kenny Rogers.