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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!

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