Rascal Flatts alum Joe Don Rooney is setting the record straight.
The guitarist took to X (formerly Twitter) for the first time in months on Wednesday to open up about his hiatus from the spotlight after it led to speculation that he is now transgender.
“NO, I’m not transitioning to be a woman,” he wrote in a lengthy statement. “That thought has never entered my mind. Nothing against the trans community whatsoever but I needed to set the record straight.”
Rooney — who was arrested for driving under the influence on Sept. 9, 2021 — further said that he’s been focusing on his sobriety after he “ran square into a tree and about killed” himself at 4 a.m. two years ago.
“My life and career took a major detour,” he explained. “I was drunk and I was so far gone with my life – I was completely out of control.”
The musician, 48, continued that he’s struggled with drinking for several years and wasn’t a good husband, father, or bandmate.
“I probably would’ve never taken responsibility for any of this if it hadn’t been for my car wreck,” he added.
“Fortunately, (and I truly believe this,) God lead (sic) me into that tree safely enough to not kill me – and luckily nobody else was involved and I didn’t injure or kill anyone.”
After the crash, Rooney went away to a Utah treatment center for four months, which ultimately led to his life being forever changed.
“I’ve been sober now for almost 28 months come this Jan 13,” he continued. “I never believed I could actually live my life without drinking.
“It had become such a huge part of my daily and nightly routine. I had tried to stop on my own in the past but the powerful nature of alcohol always found its way back into my life.”
Rooney concluded by thanking God for helping him get his life back along with his family and clinical advisors.
“Now, I need to protect my family and protect my sobriety. I have new healthy boundaries for the first time in my life. only positive, loving, caring & understanding people may enter,” he wrote.
The “Life is a Highway” hitmaker pled guilty in June 2022 to crashing his vehicle outside of Nashville, Tn.
His struggle with alcoholism ultimately led his now ex-wife, Tiffany Fallon Rooney, to file for divorce in January 2021.
Their court battle, which was settled in December 2023, was surrounded by allegations of infidelity and alcoholism, per People.
The former couple share daughters Raquel, 13, and Devon, 9, as well as son Jagger, 17.
