50 Facts About Brooks And Dunn

Formation and Early Years

Brooks & Dunn, one of country music's most iconic duos, began their journey in 1990. Their story is filled with fascinating details that highlight their rise to fame and enduring legacy.

1. Brooks & Dunn was formed in 1990 through the suggestion of songwriter and record producer Tim DuBois.
2. The duo consists of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, both of whom are vocalists and songwriters.
3. Before forming Brooks & Dunn, both members were solo recording artists. Kix Brooks released an album for Capitol Records in 1989, and Ronnie Dunn had charted two solo singles in the 1980s.
4. After their formation, Brooks & Dunn signed with Arista Nashville, where they would go on to release numerous successful albums and singles.

Musical Achievements and Chart Success

Their music quickly climbed the charts, earning them a place in country music history. Let's dive into their impressive achievements.

5. The duo has recorded eleven studio albums, one Christmas album, and five compilation albums for Arista Nashville.
6. Brooks & Dunn have released 50 singles, with 20 reaching number one on the Hot Country Songs charts and 19 more reaching the top 10.
7. Two of their number-one songs, "My Maria" (a cover of the B.W. Stevenson song) and "Ain't Nothing 'bout You," were the top country songs of 1996 and 2001, respectively, according to the Billboard Year-End charts.
8. "Ain't Nothing 'bout You" is the duo's longest-lasting number-one single on the Hot Country Songs chart, lasting six weeks.
9. Several of their songs have also reached the Billboard Hot 100, with "Ain't Nothing 'bout You" and "Red Dirt Road" peaking at number 25, their highest on that chart.

Awards and Recognition

Brooks & Dunn's talent has been recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout their career.

10. Brooks & Dunn won the Country Music Association Vocal Duo of the Year award every year between 1992 and 2006, except for 2000.
11. The duo won two Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal: "Hard Workin' Man" in 1994 and "My Maria" in 1996.
12. All but two of the duo's studio albums are certified platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Their highest-certified album is their debut, Brand New Man, which is sextuple-platinum for shipments of six million copies.

Influence and Style

Their unique sound and style have left a lasting impact on country music.

13. The duo's material is known for containing influences of honky-tonk, mainstream country, and rock, as well as the contrast between their singing voices and on-stage personalities.
14. Some of their music has been criticized as formulaic, but their unique blend of styles has also been praised for its originality.
15. Their 1992 single "Boot Scootin' Boogie" helped repopularize line dancing in the United States.
16. The song "Only in America" was used by both George W. Bush and Barack Obama in their respective presidential campaigns.

Collaborations and Projects

Brooks & Dunn have worked with various artists and embarked on unique projects that showcase their versatility.

17. Brooks & Dunn have collaborated with several artists, including Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Sheryl Crow, Mac Powell, Billy Gibbons, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Luke Combs.
18. After announcing their retirement in August 2009, they performed their final concert on September 2, 2010, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
19. Both Brooks and Dunn have continued to record as solo artists. Ronnie Dunn released a self-titled album in 2011, which included the top-10 country hit "Bleed Red," while Kix Brooks resumed his solo career a year later.
20. In 2015, Brooks & Dunn performed in a residency show entitled Reba, Brooks & Dunn: Together in Vegas at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, alongside Reba McEntire.

Recent Activities and Legacy

Even after their official retirement, Brooks & Dunn continue to make waves in the music industry.

21. In 2019, the duo released Reboot, a collaboration project where they rerecorded their hits with younger country musicians. This album debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Country Albums, marking the first time the duo had topped the album charts since 2009.
22. Brooks & Dunn were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the “Modern Era Artist” category in 2019.
23. Brooks & Dunn’s discography counts more album sales than any duo in history, regardless of genre. They have sold over 30 million albums.
24. The New York Times has hailed Brooks & Dunn as key figures in the power-country era of the early-to-mid 1990s, noting their influence on the genre.
25. The duo’s original “Merle Haggard meets The Rolling Stones” vibe made them progressive stars in their own right.
26. Brooks & Dunn have earned their 10th Billboard 200 Top 10 album, the most of any country duo or group in the chart’s history.

Personal Backgrounds

Understanding their personal backgrounds gives insight into what shaped their music careers.

27. Kix Brooks began playing the ukulele by age six and was performing regularly in nightclubs by the time he was a student at Louisiana State University.
28. Ronnie Dunn’s father was a musician who also worked on oil rigs, and his mother’s devout Baptist faith were strong influences on him. Dunn chose music over becoming a preacher after winning the Marlboro Country Music Talent Search.
29. Arista Records executive Tim DuBois introduced Brooks and Dunn in 1990, suggesting they write songs together. Both artists had set their sights on solo careers but agreed to give the partnership a try.

Albums and Hits

Their albums and hit singles have defined their career and left a lasting impression on fans.

30. Their first effort became the title track of their debut album Brand New Man (1991), which also included the hit single “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.”
31. Their second full-length recording, Hard Workin’ Man (1993), confirmed their popularity, debuting at number three on the Billboard country album chart.
32. Brooks & Dunn continued to satisfy country music audiences with releases such as Waitin’ on Sundown (1994), If You See Her (1998), Steers & Stripes (2001), and Red Dirt Road (2003).

Concerts and Performances

Their live performances have been a significant part of their appeal.

33. The duo had strong appeal in concert, with the laid-back Dunn singing and the wildly energetic Brooks playing guitar.
34. During their career together, Brooks & Dunn won several entertainer of the year awards—one from the Country Music Association (CMA) and three from the Academy of Country Music (ACM).
35. By 2007, with two Grammy Awards and a host of CMA and ACM awards to their credit, Brooks & Dunn had expanded their musical repertoire, incorporating some straight-ahead rock and roll, covering occasional classic country hits, and even composing a few somber ballads.
36. The duo disbanded after their 2010 concert tour but continued to appear together in various performances and projects.

Solo Careers and Reunions

Even after their official split, both members pursued solo careers and occasional reunions.

37. Ronnie Dunn released his debut solo album Ronnie Dunn in 2011, while Kix Brooks resumed his solo career shortly after.
38. In 2015, Brooks & Dunn performed in a residency show entitled Reba, Brooks & Dunn: Together in Vegas at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, alongside Reba McEntire.
39. In 2019, the duo released Reboot, a collaboration project where they rerecorded their hits with younger country musicians. This album debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Country Albums, marking the first time the duo had topped the album charts since 2009.
40. Brooks & Dunn were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the “Modern Era Artist” category in 2019.

Legacy and Impact

Brooks & Dunn's influence extends beyond their music, shaping the country genre for future generations.

41. Brooks & Dunn’s discography counts more album sales than any duo in history, regardless of genre. They have sold over 30 million albums.
42. The New York Times has hailed Brooks & Dunn as key figures in the power-country era of the early-to-mid 1990s, noting their influence on the genre.
43. The duo’s original “Merle Haggard meets The Rolling Stones” vibe made them progressive stars in their own right.
44. Brooks & Dunn have earned their 10th Billboard 200 Top 10 album, the most of any country duo or group in the chart’s history.

Personal Insights

Their personal lives and early influences played a significant role in shaping their music careers.

45. Kix Brooks began playing the ukulele by age six and was performing regularly in nightclubs by the time he was a student at Louisiana State University.
46. Ronnie Dunn’s father was a musician who also worked on oil rigs, and his mother’s devout Baptist faith were strong influences on him. Dunn chose music over becoming a preacher after winning the Marlboro Country Music Talent Search.
47. Arista Records executive Tim DuBois introduced Brooks and Dunn in 1990, suggesting they write songs together. Both artists had set their sights on solo careers but agreed to give the partnership a try.

Albums and Chart-Toppers

Their albums and hit singles have defined their career and left a lasting impression on fans.

48. Their first effort became the title track of their debut album Brand New Man (1991), which also included the hit single “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.”
49. Their second full-length recording, Hard Workin’ Man (1993), confirmed their popularity, debuting at number three on the Billboard country album chart.
50. Brooks & Dunn continued to satisfy country music audiences with releases such as Waitin’ on Sundown (1994), If You See Her (1998), Steers & Stripes (2001), and Red Dirt Road (2003).

Brooks & Dunn's Lasting Legacy

Brooks & Dunn have left a huge mark on country music. Formed in 1990, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn quickly became icons with their unique blend of honky-tonk, mainstream country, and rock. With 20 number-one hits and over 30 million albums sold, their success speaks volumes. Songs like "Boot Scootin' Boogie" and "My Maria" became anthems, while their influence repopularized line dancing. Winning countless awards, including two Grammys, they dominated the country scene for years. Even after their 2010 retirement, they continued to impact the genre with solo projects and a successful Vegas residency with Reba McEntire. Their 2019 Reboot album showed they could still top charts. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Brooks & Dunn's legacy is undeniable. Their music continues to inspire, proving they're one of the most enduring duos in country music history.