Not the most original l'il Rascals, but they sure are the biggest

Here's some music trivia for you:

Which artist sold the most albums in 2006?

Hint: For the first time ever, it was a country-music act.

And, no, it wasn't Tim McGraw. Or Kenny Chesney. Or Faith Hill. Or the Dixie Chicks.

In fact, the winner isn't exactly a household name — at least not yet.

It's Rascal Flatts, the country/pop trio headlining Sunday night at the Tacoma Dome. According to Billboard, Rascal Flatts sold 4.97 million albums last year, including 722,000 copies of its latest, "Me and My Gang," released almost a year ago. Sales of its four previous albums accounted for the rest of the 2006 total.

Also according to Billboard, the trio raked in more than $87 million in sales of albums, digital tracks and concert tickets in 2006. And that doesn't count merchandising, TV appearances, etc.

Concert preview


Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Tacoma Dome; $60.75 (206-628-0888, www.ticketmaster.com

or www.hob.com; information, 253-272-3663, www.tacomadome.org or www.rascalflatts.com).

Rascal Flatts is huge in country, although it's actually more of a rock band with twang. Their show steals everything from rock concerts, from the mammoth video screens to the confetti drop to the inevitable acoustic set.

Unlike most rock bands, however, Rascal Flatts does not write its own songs. Like so many top country acts — including McGraw and Hill — it depends on slick Nashville professionals to craft overly sentimental love songs, colorful urban fantasies about small-town life and boot-scootin' boogies evoking the sexually charged excitement of a lively honky-tonk.

Probably the best thing Rascal Flatts has going for it is the sweet but powerful vocals of lead singer Gary LeVox, who can croon with the best of them and rock out, country style. Even his stage name is stolen from rock. In case you don't remember, Bono's original stage name was Bono Vox (vox means "voice" in Latin).

Obviously, originality is not Rascal Flatts' strong suit. But LeVox defies at least one norm because he's not the usual sexy, skinny lead singer, a la McGraw or Chesney. Or Mick Jagger, for that matter. LeVox is a chunky, couch-potato type, a country-music Everyman.

The sex symbol in the group is the bass player (yet another rock cliché), recently married (sorry, ladies) Jay DeMarcus, who also contributes harmony vocals. Joe Don Rooney, who's adept at rock and country styles (and has a great country name) is the guitarist. On tour, the trio is augmented by a five-piece band.

Rascal Flatts last played the T-Dome in 2003, opening for Toby Keith. They wowed the crowd with a tight set that emphasized vocals, including sweet harmonies.

Their talent, hard work (they've been touring almost nonstop since 2000) and enthusiasm have obviously paid off.

Opening is Jason Aldean, a young country star who's well on his way to becoming as big as Rascal Flatts. His debut "Jason Aldean" album has sold more than a million copies and yielded three chart-topping hits, "Hicktown," "Why" and "Amarillo Sky."

Aldean's latest single, "Johnny Cash," about the sense of freedom and individuality Cash's music inspired, is getting lots of attention. Aldean will probably perform it in Tacoma, along with other songs from his sophomore CD, "Relentless," set to be released May 29.

Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312 or pmacdonald@seattletimes.com