Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Whatever Happened To Brooks & Dunn – Everything You Need To Know

Whatever Happened To Brooks & Dunn - Everything You Need To Know
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

It’s quite hard to think about country music without Brooks & Dunn in it. It’s no secret that they are one of the best country music duos in history. They have made an indelible mark and enduring impact on the genre’s landscape.

Now, pretty sure fans and folks in country music have been wondering just what’s there to know about Brooks & Dunn. Keep on scrolling below to find out!

Where It All Started

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn were two artists pursuing their own separate music careers. While they were impeccably talented on their own, a record executive launched them as a duo with the thought that they’d do well together. 

Indeed, their careers began heating up. Brooks & Dunn took the country music scene by storm in 1991 when the first four singles off their debut album, Brand New Man, raced to the pinnacle of the country music charts. 

Since then, they’ve been collecting dozens of music-industry honors and earning heaps of Top Ten hits. They are, by far, the best-selling country duo of all time and one of the best-selling duos in all music genres.

Their distinct sound that combined honky-tonk dancefloor beats with classic-rock guitar riffs and upbeat arrangements was such a hit to many. Making things even more interesting was their songwriting skills that delivered top-notch material. Meanwhile, Brooks’ raucous energy onstage and Dunn’s brooding presence created a dynamic stage show.

Remember When They Announced Their Split?

After their record-breaking career being country music’s most successful duo, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn abruptly announced their split on August 10, 2009, which absolutely shocked and saddened fans all over the world.

“After 20 years of making music and riding this trail together, we have agreed as a duo that it’s time to call it a day,” the duo said in a joint statement. They then released their final album, #1’s… And Then Some. They set out on their farewell Last Rodeo Tour and played their last concert together at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on September 3, 2010.

With that, it was over. The members of the country’s dynamic duo embarked on solo careers and have gone on to significant solo success.

But despite the decision to call it quits, Dunn pointed out that there was never a rift between him and his bandmate. “We [broke up] because we’d been doing it for over 20 years and felt like we’d accomplished everything that we could,” he said.

Brooks confirmed that: “We ran out of gas. We needed a break, you know.”

But They Came Back Stronger Than Before

For a band that was said to be disbanded, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn kept their hands full in the back half of the 2010s. They performed together during the 2015 Academy of Country Music Awards. 

That same year, Brooks & Dunn also began a renowned Las Vegas residency with Reba McEntire. It was successful enough that it was extended for seven years until late 2021. Brooks also appeared in Dunn’s single “Damn Drunk,” which was released as the second single off Dunn’s third solo album Tattooed Heart.

In 2019, the popular country duo was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame for their long and storied career. More notably, Brooks & Dunn released a brand-new album, Reboot, where they teamed up with various country stars such as Kacey Musgraves, Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, and Kane Brown and revisited some of their best hits. The duo then began playing in assorted amphitheaters across the country.

In 2022, Brooks & Dunn surprised fans with their announcement of a big-time return to the road. The iconic duo dipped into their custom cowboy boots once again and were more than ready to rock full-time. 

Brooks & Dunn’s Reboot 2022 Tour kicked off on May 5 in Evansville, Indiana. The two-month tour then wound its way throughout the country with some of the best opening acts – this includes Jon Pardi, Walker Hayes, Jordan Davis, Morgan Wade, Tenille Townes, Gabby Barrett, and so much more. Brooks and Dunn made a stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena before wrapping things up on June 25 in Detroit, Michigan.

But the party’s far from over! The duo will actually headline the 2023 Carolina Country Musical Festival in Myrtle Beach. Miranda Lambert, Morgan Wallen, and Travis Tritt will be among the more than thirty performers to take the stage during the four-day event.

Indeed, no matter how many years go by, country fans’ love for Brooks & Dunn songs stands the test of time.

Don’t miss out and watch the video below for more juicy information about the Country Music’s Best Duo!

Trending

Latest Stories

Parker McCollum Claps Back After Oliver Anthony Hints at Autotune Allegations

Parker McCollum Claps Back After Oliver Anthony Hints at Autotune Allegations

After viral sensation Oliver Anthony shared some candid—and controversial—thoughts about the music industry, country music fans were abuzz recently. The conversation escalated when Anthony hinted that a mainstream country artist ...

The Timeless Legacy of Randy Travis' Grammy-Winning "Forever and Ever, Amen"

The Timeless Legacy of Randy Travis’ Grammy-Winning “Forever and Ever, Amen”

When it comes to country music that stands the test of time, Randy Travis is the name that echoes through the halls of history. His deep, resonant voice and unparalleled ...

Phil Robertson Faces Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Phil Robertson Faces Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis Amid Blood Disease Complications

The Robertson family, known for their Duck Dynasty fame, has revealed concerning news about their beloved patriarch, Phil Robertson. On a recent episode of their podcast, Unashamed with the Robertson ...

Earliest Known Country Music Recording Discovered, Dating Back to 1891

Earliest Known Country Music Recording Discovered, Dating Back to 1891

Country music has always been a storytelling tradition, weaving the trials and triumphs of everyday life into melodies that stand the test of time. While most fans trace the roots ...

The All-American Rejects Reveal "Dirty Little Secret" Started as a Country Song

The All-American Rejects Reveal “Dirty Little Secret” Started as a Country Song

Who would’ve thought? The All-American Rejects, those emo-rock icons of the 2000s, recently revealed a surprising twist about one of their biggest hits. During an interview on the Zach Sang ...

Zach Top Revives John Michael Montgomery's "Sold" With a Neotraditional Twist

Zach Top Revives John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold” With a Neotraditional Twist

Zach Top is quickly solidifying his place as one of country music’s most exciting rising stars. Hailing from Sunnyside, Washington, Zach brings a neotraditional flair to his music that feels ...

Revisiting the Time Dolly Parton and Country Queens Sang Together on Burt Reynolds' Show

Revisiting the Time Dolly Parton and Country Queens Sang Together on Burt Reynolds’ Show

Burt Reynolds may be best remembered as a Hollywood icon. Still, in the early ’90s, he brought country music royalty together for an unforgettable moment in television history. On his ...

Mainstream Media Tried to Cancel Chris Stapleton, But Fans Rallied Behind Him

Mainstream Media Tried to Cancel Chris Stapleton, But Fans Rallied Behind Him

Chris Stapleton’s dominance at the 2024 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards was not without controversy. As he walked away with Single of the Year and Song of the Year for ...

Oliver Anthony Criticizes Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" Album as "Complete Trash"

Oliver Anthony Criticizes Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” Album as “Complete Trash”

Oliver Anthony is no stranger to controversy. Known for his unapologetic stance against the mainstream music industry, the artist behind “Rich Men North of Richmond” recently turned his attention to ...

Oliver Anthony Slams Nashville's Music Industry for Prioritizing Profits Over Authenticity

Oliver Anthony Slams Nashville’s Music Industry for Prioritizing Profits Over Authenticity

Oliver Anthony, the breakout star whose hit “Rich Men North of Richmond” skyrocketed him to fame, has made it clear that he wants nothing to do with the music business’s ...