IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Rascal Flatts confess to lip-syncing at Academy of Country Music Awards

The show must go on. It's a maxim Rascal Flatts embraced on Sunday night when they lip-synced their song "Rewind" at the Academy of Country Music Awards. But there was a good reason behind the fake vocals: Singer Gary LeVox had lost his voice.The group explained on social media (Twitter and Facebook) Monday that it was a choice between not performing at all, or trying to lip-sync — something the
Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts.
Mark Davis/ACMA2014 / Getty Images Contributor
Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts.
Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts.Mark Davis/ACMA2014 / Today

The show must go on. It's a maxim Rascal Flatts embraced on Sunday night when they lip-synced their song "Rewind" at the Academy of Country Music Awards. But there was a good reason behind the fake vocals: Singer Gary LeVox had lost his voice.

The group explained on social media (Twitter and Facebook) Monday that it was a choice between not performing at all, or trying to lip-sync — something they wrote they'd "never done" before. 

pic.twitter.com/IavaJWOf37

—+Rascal+Flatts+(@rascalflatts)+April+8,+2014+

Some experts noticed right away.

Rascal+Flatts+didn't+even+try+to+pretend+that+they+actually+sang+that+song.

—+Country+Music+Quotes+(@Country___Lyric)+April+7,+2014+

Are+Rascal+Flatts+lip-synching??++Say+it+isn't+so…+This+is+not+the+Grammys…+We're+country,+and+we+SING!!!!+#Scandal+at+the+#ACMAwards

—+Big+D+and+Bubba+(@bigdandbubba)+April+7,+2014+

But once the explanation was out there, fans were largely supportive of the move. 

@rascalflatts+don't+worry+about+the+negative+comments.++People+forget+you+are+human+and+things+happen.+Rather+see+you+lip+sync+than+notatall

—+William+Harris+(@wmah81)+April+8,+2014+

hey.+at+least+@rascalflatts+was+honest.

—+Ashleyrae+Morrison+(@ashleeyraem)+April+8,+2014+

@rascalflatts+thank+you+so+much+for+making+this+statement.+Always+amazing.+Hope+Gary+gets+his+beautiful+voice+back+real+soon😍.+Love+you+guys

—+Amy+(@rascallover72)+April+8,+2014+

And perhaps one night was all the rest LeVox needed. On Monday, he was back on stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas taping "ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops," which will be broadcast on CBS May 20. A representative from the band's record label told TODAY Tuesday that LeVox performed live at that performance.

Follow Randee Dawn on Google+.