Rascal Flatts' player Jay DeMarcus visits area school to aid Nashville Alliance, CMA

May 1, 8:20 PMNashville Country Music ExaminerLisa L. Rollins

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Rascal Flatts' DeMarcus tries out the school's new piano.

Rascal Flatts’ own Jay DeMarcus pitched in to help the Nashville Alliance for Public Education and the Country Music Association make an unexpected, but much-welcomed surprise donation to music students at McGavock High School; namely, a brand-new piano. 

DeMarcus visits with MaGavock students.

Regarding his role in the piano delivery and hands-on demonstratin, “As artists we donate our time to the CMA Music Festival so that we’re able to give back,” DeMarcus said. “Music education was very important in my life, and because of that, I’m able to do what I do today.”

The piano deliveries were made possible as part of the Nashville Alliance’s “Keep the Music Playing” program, which supports music education in Metro Public Schools. The organization regularly partners with the Nashville-based CMA to raise money for much-needed music instruments and equipment in area public schools.

Since 2006, the program’s earned more than $2 million, thanks to proceeds from the annual CMA Music Festival. Moreover, Nashville Alliance representatives recently announced that the CMA’s more than $1 million donation from last year's CMA Music Festival has put the organization past the $20 million mark in contributions to Metro Public Schools since 2004.

Jay DeMarcus plays piano on a live-concert version of one of Rascal Flatts' hits, "God Blessed the Broken Road."