Brooks & Dunn

Brooks & Dunn

Company type	Duo
Industry	Music
Founded	1988
Founder	Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn
Headquarters	Nashville , United States
Area served	United States
Products	Studio albums, singles, compilation albums
Parent	Arista Nashville

Brooks & Dunn is a renowned American country music duo established in 1988 by vocalists and songwriters Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, following the recommendation of songwriter and producer Tim DuBois. Before joining forces, both artists pursued solo careers that included charting singles; Brooks, for instance, released an album in 1989 under Capitol Records and penned hits for other performers.

Affiliated with Arista Nashville, Brooks & Dunn have produced eleven studio albums, one holiday album, five compilation records, and released 50 singles. Of these singles, twenty reached the pinnacle of the Hot Country Songs charts, while an additional nineteen secured positions within the top ten. Their chart-topping tracks "My Maria" and "Ain't Nothing 'bout You" were recognized as the leading country songs in 1996 and 2001 respectively according to the Billboard Year-End rankings; notably, "Ain't Nothing 'bout You" maintained the number-one spot for six consecutive weeks, marking their longest tenure. Several of their songs also crossed over to the Billboard Hot 100, with "Ain't Nothing 'bout You" and "Red Dirt Road" both peaking at number 25. Dominating the Country Music Association Vocal Duo of the Year accolade from 1992 through 2006—with the exception of 2000—they reclaimed this honor in 2024. Their achievements include two Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal awards for "Hard Workin' Man" (1994) and "My Maria" (1996). Except for two studio albums, all have earned platinum or higher certification by the Recording Industry Association of America, with their debut Brand New Man attaining sextuple-platinum status for six million copies shipped.

The duo’s sound combines elements of honky-tonk, mainstream country, and rock, characterized by their distinct vocal contrasts and dynamic stage presence. Their 1992 hit "Boot Scootin' Boogie" played a significant role in revitalizing line dancing across the United States, while their 2001 single "Only in America" was notably utilized during presidential campaigns by both George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Their collaborative efforts include partnerships with artists such as Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Sheryl Crow, Mac Powell, Billy Gibbons, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Luke Combs.

Following their retirement announcement in August 2009, Brooks & Dunn held their farewell concert on September 2, 2010, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Both members continued pursuing solo endeavors under Arista Nashville: Dunn released a self-titled album in 2011 featuring the top-10 country single "Bleed Red", while Brooks followed with New to This Town in 2012. The pair reunited in 2015 for a Las Vegas residency alongside Reba McEntire. In recognition of their impact on country music, Brooks & Dunn were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019.

Kix Brooks

Leon Eric "Kix" Brooks III was born on May 12, 1955, in Shreveport, Louisiana. After performing at various venues throughout Maine, he relocated to Nashville in 1976. Notably, he was a neighbor to country artist Johnny Horton. During the 1980s, Brooks established himself as a songwriter, co-authoring several number-one hits including "I'm Only in It for the Love" by John Conlee, "Modern Day Romance" performed by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and "Who's Lonely Now" by Highway 101. Additionally, he contributed to songs such as "You Made a Rock of a Rolling Stone", which reached the Top 20 for The Oak Ridge Boys, as well as "Let Me Be the First" by Nicolette Larson, and "Don't Throw Me in the Briarpatch" by Keith Palmer. Brooks also released several singles under the independent Avion label; his song "Baby, When Your Heart Breaks Down" peaked at No. 73 on the Hot Country Songs chart in 1983. In 1989, he issued a self-titled studio album through Capitol Records, which included tracks like "Baby, When Your Heart Breaks Down" and "Sacred Ground", the latter later covered by McBride & the Ride and reaching No. 2 on country charts in 1992. Alongside Pam Tillis, Brooks co-wrote and performed "Tomorrow's World," a multi-artist single released by Warner Bros. Records in 1990 to support Earth Day. He also co-produced and co-wrote "Backbone Job," an unreleased track from Keith Whitley featured on Whitley’s 1991 compilation Kentucky Bluebird.

Ronnie Dunn

Ronnie Gene Dunn, born on June 1, 1953, in Coleman, Texas, began his musical journey playing bass guitar in local high school bands. He briefly pursued theological studies at Hardin-Simmons University but was dismissed due to performing in bars. Between 1983 and 1984, Dunn recorded singles under the Churchill label, with some reaching number 59 on the country charts. In 1989, session drummer Jamie Oldaker submitted Dunn to a Marlboro-sponsored talent contest, which Dunn ultimately won. The grand prize included a recording session in Nashville overseen by producer Scott Hendricks, who subsequently introduced Dunn to Tim DuBois of Arista Nashville. After hearing their demo, DuBois paired Dunn with Kix Brooks to form a duo. During this time, Dunn also penned "Boot Scootin' Boogie", which was recorded by Asleep at the Wheel on their 1990 album Keepin' Me Up Nights.

Brand New Man

The debut single from Brooks and Dunn, "Brand New Man", reached the top position on the Hot Country Songs chart in June 1991. This track served as the title song for their debut album Brand New Man, released two months later. The duo collaborated with songwriter Don Cook to write the album, with Cook co-producing alongside Hendricks—marking Cook’s first production role. The subsequent three singles—"My Next Broken Heart", "Neon Moon", and "Boot Scootin' Boogie"—also achieved number one status, establishing Brooks & Dunn as the first country duo or group to have their initial four singles top the charts. A fifth release, "Lost and Found", peaked at number six. Additionally, "Boot Scootin' Boogie" reached number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100, igniting a resurgence of line dancing throughout America.

In August 1992, Brand New Man was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipping one million units and later attained sextuple-platinum certification by 2002 with six million copies shipped. The album remained on the Top Country Albums chart for over 190 weeks. In 1992, Brooks & Dunn earned the Country Music Association’s Duo of the Year Award—the first of many wins through 2006, except for the year 2000 when Montgomery Gentry won. Following the album’s release, Brooks & Dunn embarked on extensive tours.

AllMusic commended Brand New Man for highlighting the duo’s wide-ranging musical influences, whereas Entertainment Weekly described it as somewhat "imitative."

Hard Workin' Man and Waitin' on Sundown

Brooks & Dunn’s sophomore album Hard Workin' Man, released in 1993, featured its title track as the lead single, which peaked at number four on country charts. The album produced two chart-topping singles: "She Used to Be Mine" and its B-side "That Ain't No Way to Go". Other singles such as "We'll Burn That Bridge" and "Rock My World (Little Country Girl)" reached top five positions, with "We'll Burn That Bridge" hitting number one on Radio & Records. The album also included a remix version of "Boot Scootin' Boogie". In 1994, "Hard Workin' Man" earned Brooks & Dunn a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, while the album itself received a nomination for Best Country Album. By 2002, it had achieved quintuple platinum certification. AllMusic praised its energetic tracks for incorporating stronger rock elements compared to their debut.

By late 1994, Brooks & Dunn unveiled their third studio effort, Waitin' on Sundown, which spawned five charting singles. Three of these—"She's Not the Cheatin' Kind", "Little Miss Honky Tonk", and "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone"—reached number one; meanwhile, "I'll Never Forgive My Heart" and "Whiskey Under the Bridge" secured top ten placements. AllMusic described these singles as "solid," though it considered other album tracks filler material. The single "She's Not the Cheatin' Kind" was noted for its vigorous honky-tonk energy. Critics lauded "I'll Never Forgive My Heart" for its traditional honky-tonk style, although some found other songs less authentic. Randy Lewis of the Orlando Sentinel singled out "A Few Good Rides Away," co-written by Brooks, as a standout composition.

Borderline

The lead single from Brooks & Dunn's fourth studio album, Borderline, was a rendition of B.W. Stevenson's 1972 hit "My Maria". Their interpretation held the number one spot on the country charts for three consecutive weeks in mid-1996 and reached number 79 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also recognized as the top country track of the year according to the Billboard Year-End rankings. Initially, Dunn was reluctant to record "My Maria" since the duo had not previously released cover songs. This track earned Brooks & Dunn their second Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group, while they also secured the 1996 Entertainer of the Year honors from both the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music, marking them as the first duo to win the CMA accolade. In 1997, Brooks & Dunn embarked on a joint tour with Reba McEntire.

The album Borderline also yielded another chart-topper with "A Man This Lonely" and produced additional top-10 singles such as "I Am That Man" and "Why Would I Say Goodbye". The third single, "Mama Don't Get Dressed Up for Nothing", which served as the B-side to "My Maria", was their initial release that did not reach the top 10.

Critics like Michael McCall from Allmusic and Alanna Nash of Entertainment Weekly regarded much of the album as formulaic, highlighting "My Maria" as its standout track. In contrast, Larry Stephens of Country Standard Time commended the album for its well-balanced selection of songs.

The Greatest Hits Collection and If You See Her

Their debut greatest hits album, launched on September 16, 1997, compiled most of their singles up to that point along with three new tracks: "Honky Tonk Truth", "He's Got You", and "Days of Thunder". The first two singles climbed to number three and two respectively on country charts. The compilation achieved platinum certification by April 1998 and was certified double-platinum in 2001.

Brooks & Dunn collaborated with Reba McEntire on the song "If You See Him/If You See Her", which served as the lead single for both their If You See Her and McEntire's If You See Him albums, released simultaneously. Promoted jointly by Arista Nashville and MCA Nashville, this duet reached number one on the charts. Subsequent singles from If You See Her, including "How Long Gone" and a cover of Roger Miller's "Husbands and Wives", also topped country charts; notably, "Husbands and Wives" became their first entry into the Billboard Hot 100 top 40. Dunn recorded his vocals for this track in a single take. The album featured a rendition of Mark Collie's "Born and Raised in Black and White", marking their first song to alternate lead vocals between members. Later singles included the top-five hit "I Can't Get Over You" and "South of Santa Fe", which peaked at number 41—their lowest charting single to date. If You See Her earned double-platinum status by 2001.

Critical reception was mixed: Allmusic praised Dunn's vocal performances on several tracks but described some material as predictable; meanwhile, Country Standard Time found the album uneven overall, labeling the duet with McEntire as underwhelming.

Tight Rope

Released in 1999, Tight Rope stands as Brooks & Dunn’s least commercially successful effort, spawning three singles: a cover of John Waite's "Missing You", "Beer Thirty", and "You'll Always Be Loved By Me". The first two singles did not break into the top 10, while "You'll Always Be Loved By Me" reached number five in 2000. Dunn co-wrote several songs with Terry McBride, who later joined their touring band, while Brooks collaborated with Bob DiPiero. Production duties were divided between Byron Gallimore (handling singles) and Cook (responsible for other tracks). One album cut charted at number 60 due to unsolicited airplay. Although it was certified gold for shipping 500,000 copies in the U.S., it did not attain higher certifications. Because of its commercial performance, no songs from this album have been featured on later compilations.

Reviews were varied; Allmusic criticized the Waite cover as a poor choice, whereas Country Standard Time described the album as consistent but lacking innovation. Brooks later disclosed that disappointing sales nearly caused the duo to split up but they remained together following advice from label executive Joe Galante.

Steers & Stripes

Galante advocated for "Ain't Nothing 'Bout You" to serve as the lead single from their seventh studio album, Steers & Stripes (2001). This song became their most enduring chart-topper, holding the number one spot on country charts for six consecutive weeks and earning the distinction of Billboard's top country single that year; it also reached number 25 on the Hot 100 chart. The album, produced alongside Mark Wright—renowned for collaborations with Lee Ann Womack and Gary Allan—yielded two more chart-topping hits: "Only in America" and "The Long Goodbye," the latter penned by Ronan Keating and Paul Brady. Subsequent singles included the top-five hits "My Heart Is Lost to You" and a rendition of Kim Richey's "Every River," featuring Richey herself on backing vocals; all these tracks also appeared on pop charts.

The song "Only in America" gained notable political significance, being utilized during George W. Bush's 2004 campaign as well as Barack Obama's in 2008; in 2023, Donald Trump made an entrance at a rally accompanied by its lyrics referencing prison. Brooks expressed satisfaction that the track resonated beyond partisan lines.

Critics largely commended Steers & Stripes for its steadiness compared to earlier albums; Entertainment Weekly mentioned some repetitiveness in the faster songs but underscored Dunn's vocal performance as a highlight.

It Won't Be Christmas Without You and Red Dirt Road

In 2002, Brooks & Dunn introduced their inaugural holiday-themed album, It Won't Be Christmas Without You, which featured four tracks that achieved seasonal chart success. Early in 2003, they released their eighth studio album, Red Dirt Road, with its title track becoming their eighteenth Billboard number one hit. Other singles such as "You Can't Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl" (which maintained the number three position for five weeks) and "That's What She Gets for Loving Me" (reaching number six) also crossed over onto the Hot 100 chart. Like its predecessor, Red Dirt Road received platinum certification and showcased a sound leaning more toward rock influences.

Allmusic characterized it as a concept album paying homage to personal heritage and upbringing. Entertainment Weekly gave it high marks for emotional resonance, particularly praising the title track. Country Standard Time offered a more measured critique but observed stylistic parallels between some songs and The Rolling Stones.

The Greatest Hits Collection II and Hillbilly Deluxe

In October 2004, Arista Nashville released Brooks & Dunn's second compilation of greatest hits, compiling singles from recent records alongside previously unreleased tracks including "That's What It's All About," which peaked at number two, and "It's Getting Better All the Time," which reached number one. This collection did not include any songs from the album Tight Rope.

Their ninth studio album, Hillbilly Deluxe, was preceded by the August 2005 release of its lead single "Play Something Country," inspired by fellow tourmate Gretchen Wilson. Co-produced with Tony Brown and Mark Wright, this album marked their twentieth and final number one on Hot Country Songs with the lead single, which also climbed to number 37 on the Hot 100. Later singles featured the top-ten hit "Believe," recipient of CMA Single and Song of the Year honors; "Building Bridges," a collaboration with Vince Gill and Sheryl Crow that peaked at number four; and finally the title track, which reached number 16.

Allmusic regarded Hillbilly Deluxe as enjoyable though somewhat less daring than earlier projects.

During mid-2006, their Long Haul tour included opening acts Sugarland and Jack Ingram; Brooks emphasized a commitment to providing audiences with an exceptional concert experience throughout the tour.

Cowboy Town

Cowboy Town, released on October 2, 2007, featured multiple singles that achieved chart success. The lead single, "Proud of the House We Built," climbed to number four on the country charts and reached number 57 on the Hot 100. It was followed by "God Must Be Busy," which peaked at number 11, and "Put a Girl in It," which attained the number three spot. After a duet performance with Reba McEntire at the CMA Awards, "Cowgirls Don't Cry" was reissued, eventually reaching number two in early 2009. Although not officially released as a single, the album’s title track appeared on the charts at number 56. The album also included a collaboration with Jerry Jeff Walker on the track “The Ballad of Jerry Jeff Walker.”

The Cowboy Town tour launched on June 6, 2009, featuring Rodney Atkins and ZZ Top as opening acts.

Critics highlighted Brooks & Dunn’s accessible style paired with powerful vocal harmonies; Entertainment Weekly awarded the album a B+ for its lively guitar riffs despite somewhat conventional lyrical themes.

Retirement, solo careers, reunion, and Reboot

On August 10, 2009, Brooks & Dunn announced their decision to part ways following The Last Rodeo tour, stressing their continued friendly relationship—Brooks described Dunn as akin to a brother. Their final greatest hits collection, #1s… and Then Some, was released on September 8 and included 28 chart-topping tracks plus two new songs: "Indian Summer" and "Honky Tonk Stomp," the latter featuring Billy Gibbons; both new tracks reached number 16 on the country charts.

In May 2010, CBS broadcasted an ACM tribute special titled The Last Rodeo to benefit victims of Tennessee floods. Their concluding concert took place on September 2 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in support of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Following their split, both artists embarked on solo ventures under Arista Nashville. Ronnie Dunn’s eponymous solo debut in 2011 produced several top-40 country singles such as “Bleed Red” and “Cost of Livin’” before he left Arista in June 2012. Cracker Barrel later re-released his album with bonus tracks to support the Wounded Warrior Project. Dunn also collaborated with Kelly Clarkson on a Christmas duet in 2013 and released additional solo albums through Valory Music Group’s Nash Icon imprint.

Kix Brooks introduced his solo career with the single “New to This Town,” featuring slide guitar by Joe Walsh, preceding his solo album release in September 2012.

In December 2014, Brooks & Dunn revealed plans for reunion shows alongside Reba McEntire in Las Vegas scheduled for mid to late 2015. They also took part in the CMA Awards' “Forever Country” mash-up video commemorating the event’s 50th anniversary in 2016.

February 2019 marked the announcement of Reboot, an album that revisits their classic hits with contemporary country artists such as Luke Combs ("Brand New Man") and Kane Brown ("Believe"). They promoted this project through concerts including performances in Dallas and at the Houston Livestock Show; Reboot was officially released on April 5, 2019.

In that same year, they appeared as battle advisors during season sixteen of The Voice, supporting Team Blake Shelton.

A follow-up album titled Reboot II is slated for release on November 15, 2024. This sequel features collaborations with a diverse group of artists including Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, as well as cross-genre performers Halestorm and Marcus King—broadening their collaborative reach beyond traditional country music.

Other contributions

Brooks & Dunn have participated in various soundtrack projects, including 8 Seconds, tribute albums honoring Bob Wills ("Corrine, Corrina"), collaborations with Johnny Cash ("Folsom Prison Blues"), an Eagles tribute ("Best of My Love"), the King of the Hill soundtrack ("Against the Wind"), the animated film Everyone's Hero ("Keep On Swinging"), and the Billy: The Early Years soundtrack ("Over the Next Hill"). Many of these tracks achieved moderate positions on country music charts.

Dunn lent his voice as a featured artist on tracks by Lee Roy Parnell (“Take These Chains from My Heart”), Trisha Yearwood (“Try Me”), Keith Urban (“Raise the Barn”), Ashley Monroe (“I Don’t Want To”), and Carlene Carter (“Jackson”), among others. Additionally, he co-wrote songs for acts such as Shenandoah, David Kersh, Toby Keith ("Don't Leave"), Reba McEntire ("I Keep On Loving You"), and contributed to Wade Hayes’ albums, also taking on production roles.

Since January 2006, Brooks has been the host of the radio countdown program American Country Countdown, succeeding Bob Kingsley. His work in radio earned him back-to-back ACM nominations for National On-Air Radio Personality in 2010 and 2011. Brooks also explored acting, appearing in independent films like Thriftstore Cowboy (2010) and The Last Ride (2011).

The duo developed fictional cowboy personas named Slim & Howdy, which appear in album liner notes. In 2008, they co-authored a book titled The Adventures of Slim and Howdy alongside Bill Fitzhugh.

Musical style and artistry

According to Steve Huey of Allmusic, Dunn’s soulful depth contrasts with Brooks’ vibrant stage energy, creating a compelling fusion of honky tonk infused with rock elements alongside pop-inspired ballads. David Dicaire portrays Dunn as a traditional country vocalist marked by subtle intensity, while Brooks provides a lively presence that complements his partner’s approach.

Brooks took lead vocals on several notable tracks including “Lost and Found”, “Rock My World”, “You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone”, “Mama Don't Get Dressed Up for Nothing”, “Why Would I Say Goodbye”, and “South of Santa Fe”.

Michael McCall attributes part of their achievement to filling a gap left by the scarcity of male duos following the Judds’ disbandment in the early 1990s, thereby rekindling interest in vocal partnerships within country music during that period.

Philanthropy

Brooks was honored with the CMA Foundation’s first-ever Humanitarian Award in 2015, recognizing his extensive charitable contributions supporting organizations such as Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and CMA Foundation initiatives that have financed music education programs with over $11 million raised since 2006.

Dunn has annually organized “Rock The Barn” events near Nashville to raise funds for causes including Gilda’s Club cancer support center and St. Thomas Breast Cancer Center.

Studio albums

• Brand New Man (1991)
• Hard Workin' Man (1993)
• Waitin' on Sundown (1994)
• Borderline (1996)
• If You See Her (1998)
• Tight Rope (1999)
• Steers & Stripes (2001)
• Red Dirt Road (2003)
• Hillbilly Deluxe (2005)
• Cowboy Town (2007)
• Reboot (2019)
• Reboot II (2024)

Compilation albums

• The Greatest Hits Collection (1997)
• Super Hits (1999)
• The Greatest Hits Collection II (2004)
• Playlist: The Very Best of Brooks & Dunn (2008)
• #1's... and Then Some (2009)

Holiday Album

• It Won't Be Christmas Without You (2002)

Awards

Brooks & Dunn have secured 18 Country Music Association awards, matching Vince Gill for the highest total ever achieved. They have received 30 Academy of Country Music awards, ranking second behind Miranda Lambert, who holds 35. Additionally, the pair has been honored with 2 Grammy Awards in the category of Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.