Rascal Flatts Recruit Backstreet Boys For Take On Their Iconic Hit “What Hurts The Most”

Rascal Flatts have tapped Backstreet Boys to fulfill a dream collaboration both bands have had for years with “What Hurts The Most,” as two of the Y2K era’s defining groups join forces for the first time. Choosing one of the trio’s most heart-wrenching tunes for the highly-anticipated LIFE IS A HIGHWAY: REFUELED DUETS album, Backstreet Boys help turn the epic Country ballad into a vocal-driven masterclass of emotive, Pop-Country magic. Listen to the collaboration here.

“We have a long history with them over the years. We have such respect for what those guys have been able to do and how they’ve influenced a whole generation of Pop music,” says Jay DeMarcus. “We’re so proud of how this song turned out; this has been a collaboration we’ve talked about doing for years, and we’re so glad it finally came to fruition.”

The two groups are set to perform together in Frisco, TX at the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards, dazzling the global audience with “What Hurts The Most” and a musical surprise or two. Rascal Flatts will appear as Group of the Year nominees for the 12th time – with this year’s nod coming on the heels of wrapping their nearly sold-out Life Is a Highway Tour. Hosted by Reba McEntire, the 60th ACM Awards will stream live exclusively on Prime Video Thursday, May 8 at 8 pm ET from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, TX.

Rascal Flatts’ much-anticipated LIFE IS A HIGHWAY: REFUELED DUETS collaboration album will be releasing June 6 via Big Machine Records. The project features nine reimagined, beloved Rascal Flatts hits – including the reminiscent fan-favorite “Mayberry” with Blake Shelton and the infectiously emotive “I’m Movin’ On” with Kelly Clarkson – plus a record-breaking new song, “I Dare You” with Jonas Brothers. The eclectic lineup of guest artists infuse their individual music styles to create all-new arrangements of timeless hits from the trio’s acclaimed catalogue. Fans can preorder/pre-save the project HERE.

Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets Album Track List:

1. “I Dare You” (with Jonas Brothers)
2. “Fast Cars And Freedom” (with Jason Aldean)
3. “My Wish” (with Carly Pearce)
4. “Mayberry” (with Blake Shelton)
5. “Stand” (with Brandon Lake)
6. “Summer Nights” (with Ashley Cooke)
7. “What Hurts The Most” (with Backstreet Boys)
8. “Yours If You Want It” (with Jordan Davis)
9. “Life Is A Highway” (with Lzzy Hale)
10. “I’m Movin’ On” (with Kelly Clarkson)

The Backstreet Boys were announced as the first ever Pop group to have a residency at Sphere in Las Vegas. The summer residency entitled “Into The Millennium” kicks off in July alongside the release of Millennium 2.0 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their chart-topping, 5-time GRAMMY-nominated album, Millennium. This deluxe re-issue will feature 25 tracks, including all 12 remastered originals, live recordings, demos, including “I Want It That Way” and B-sides, including the alternate version of “I Want It That Way” and a new song titled, “Hey.” Ahead of the residency the group performed at Stagecoach Music Festival.