Brooks & Dunn Calling It Quits as a Duo
Rumors of Brooks & Dunn's split have been circulating pretty much ever since they released their first single, "Brand New Man," in 1991, but I'm not sure anyone was expecting them to make an official announcement right now. In fact, most people I talked to in Nashville assumed the rumor had somehow resurfaced Monday (Aug. 10) in an exaggerated form, but Brooks & Dunn confirmed the news quietly and with lots of class in an announcement on their Web site. If nobody was expecting the announcement, it's worth noting that few Nashville insiders ever expected them to have a career that now spans almost two decades or that they would have amassed such an impressive catalog of quality work. (How do you make the transition between "Boot Scootin' Boogie" and a recording as profound as "Believe"?) Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn were, after all, what industry veterans labeled as a "manufactured act." Yes, they did team up at the urging of Tim DuBois, Arista Nashville former chief, but DuBois was never a typical record executive. For one thing, he not only loves music, he really understands it. During his tenure at Arista, DuBois was a visionary who also had the "ears" to sign Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley when they were complete unknowns. Obviously, DuBois had the feeling that Brooks and Dunn were a good fit -- and he was absolutely right. It didn't take long for that "manufactured act" stigma to disappear forever. Great music is great music, after all. Brooks & Dunn will continue touring next year and, unlike other bands and duos that break up, there seems to be nothing vile, vicious or otherwise controversial about their split. As they said on their Web site, "It's just time."
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Mandy Lynn says:
Old news……and, it’s about time.
;)
Sammi says:
I am totally bummed. I grew up listening to their music. They were amazing. Well…I hope they have a good life, and that many will miss them.
Joe says:
They have a great catalouge of hits some I listen to almost daily on my computer.
But I saw them in concert in 2008 and after they were done I wanted more, I wasn’t satisfied like I am with other concerts. It was like they didn’t play that one big song, that makes you go wow. But I’ll see them in 2010 :)
But I did get to meet Ronnie Dunn back in March of 2009 at a guitar show in Franklin Tennessee, and he was nice and gracious for a photo and autograph…
keith country fan uk says:
:( :( NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO i only just got into Brooks& dunn and now they are splitting * stompz foot lol*
Pat Kylander says:
I am heartbroken — what a team and what talent these two wonderful guys have! It won’t be the same without them together - thanks for all the wonderful years and all the great music you have given us!
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Lucy says:
Well it’s been a good run for them. Lots of good music. But all good things must come to an end.
David says:
Ronnie Dunn is the talent. Kix Brooks contributes songs, and good ones, but not in the same universe as a performer. A great chemistry together, however, and the reason for their success. They didn’t always treat the people in their band fairly. That’s a negative that fans don’t know about or care about. Can’t argue too much with success.
When I watched the “Indian Summer” video just days ago, I thought to myself, “Ronnie has got to go solo soon!”
Brain says:
They performed at a county fair around here in the last month, and the show was lacking to say the least. They only played an hour, and didn’t even sing their current single they were pushing to radio, “Indian Summer”. It was also their first show back after a 5 week lay off. Who knows…maybe time wasn’t all that was into the break up. Ronnie has carried the act for years now. When he releases his first solo disc, it will be like B and D never left.
D says:
I agree Mandy Lynn, I personally am sick of the yelling they do and the ones painted on smile
Joan Knopp says:
Will miss them very much. Love Love Love their music and their performances were incredible. The songs they sang and wrote would have you dancing where you stood or crying like a baby. I know many people feel the same as I. Good luck and may God bless you and your families. You guys will be sorely missed.
Lori Jean says:
I am sad. What a loss for country music. They are both amazingly talented people. I hope they go on to do whatever makes them happy. Kix and Ronnie your music will be missed!
Connie says:
Well NO OTHER DUO is ever going to match what Brooks & Dunn have done, I have been to 85 Brooks & Dunn concerts over the years And they have NEVER disappointed. I love these guys. I have had the pleasure of meeting them several times and they are so sweet. I am going to ignore the slams some folks feel the need to post.
They are a class act, I think we will hear more from both Ronnie & Kix, just not together.
I plan to get me some more B&D shows before the final sunset
waynoe says:
I concur with David but would like to know more about their mistreatment of band members. Brooks is talented but they have never really been a duo - they simply won many awards by default.
Say what you will about songwriting, etc. When a duo sings you are supposed to tell it’s a duo. Many times you can’t even hear Brooks in the background.
And know we have to put up with Sugarland who is even worse. Montgomery Gentry is more of a duo because of their mutual SINGING contributions, but they are too politically incorrect to endear the hearts of the corporate directors who decide such things.
Gloria says:
I have seen Brooks and Dunn many times over the years, and
I feel they put on one of the best shows ever. My 80 year old mother adores them! One of my fondest memories is they
played @ our local fair 2 days after 9/11 which they said
they thought about cancelling, but they didn’t. Wow! what
a team, what a show and what a class act. I almost got to
see them last year @ our fair, but it was cancelled due
to Ronnie’s illness. I hope they will come next year!
timcun says:
They’re one of the best. I’ll miss them.
BROSZ says:
Always enjoyed them when they came to the SA Stock Show & Rodeo. Hope you make it 1 more time in February.Best of luck. Ya’ll will be missed
Debra says:
Love Brooks and Dunn. Sometimes you just know when its time to quit and they have had a great career for over 20 years!! Favorite song I Believe Ronnie has such a wonderful voice. Will miss them especially the way country music is headed now. I still have George Strait though but I feel he will retire soon too. Hes new album is great!
Emily says:
I am 17 years old and was just a year old when “Brand New Man” was released. I can remember being 5 years old riding in my dad’s car listening to “Brand new Man” and many other Brooks and Dunn songs that day. I grew up listening to Brooks and Dunn and I am so sad to hear that I will never hear any new music from Kix and Ronnie.
Joe says:
Ronnie Dunn will have a solo record out by the spring of 2011.
Glen says:
Sure Ronnie is the more spectacular vocal talent and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him with a solo act soon after 2010. But don’t dismiss Kix too quickly - go back and listen to Go West or I Fall or any of his other cuts on their albums that were never released as singles.
I feel fortunate to have met Kix and saw them in concert just once a few years ago, but WOW what a show it was. I’ll miss not getting new music from them but what a wonderful world of music they’ve left us.
luckyoldsun says:
B&D were great in their time, but it’s time for Ronnie Dunn to make some music on his own terms. Eddy Arnold, Faron Young, Ray Price, Johhny Cash, Conway Twitty, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson etc. all changed or evolved their images and singing styles over the course of their careers. Ronnie Dunn is one of the great country singers of all time. Who said the guy’s entire career has to be “B&D”?
If someone who’s been as successful and made as much money as Dunn shouldn’t go do what he wants to do, then who should?
Nikki says:
This is just wrong, Ronnie is amazing, I am so hoping he decides to go solo, his voice is just awesome. I do adore them and I will miss them oh so much, I had a hunch this was gonna happen as they felt their fans no longer wanted them as Sugarland suddenly gets their award which in my opo was a total joke I am no fan of their’s, all the videos are just her, that one song whatever its called where she is on the surf board, ya okay, anyway in my opo Brooks & Dunn are and always will be #1. I hope and pray that they know just how much they really did bring to country music. Ronnie you “ROCK” your voice is awesome, please go solo, don’t hang it up, you are too good, and God knows country music needs alot of help these days just look around and listen that is if you can bare it.
Holly says:
I will miss Kix & Ronnie so much! I have only seen them one time and that was when they did the Neyland Stadium show with Kenny Chesney in Knoxville, TN six years ago, but they were awesome that night! (smiles)
I have so many favorites from them:
Ronnie
“Boot Scootin’ Boogie” (dance copy)
“I’ll Never Forgive My Heart”
“My Maria” (dance copy)
“I Ain’t Singing That Song No More”
“Honky Tonk Truth”
“Husbands And Wives”
“How Long Gone”
“Hurt Train”
“Lucky Me, Lonely You”
“You Can’t Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl”
“That’s What Its All About”
“Its Getting Better All The Time”
“Believe”
“Hillbilly Deluxe”
“God Must Be Busy”
Kix
“You’re Going To Miss Me When I’m Gone”
“Mama Don’t Get Dressed Up For Nothing”
“Why Would I Say Goodbye”
“South of Santa Fe”
“Temptation #9″
“Can’t Stop My Heart”
“Don’t Look Back Now”
“Go West”
“When She’s Gone, She’s Gone”
“Deny, Deny, Deny”
“I Fall”
“What Kind of Love”
“The Best of My Love”
“Rough Boy”
“Sunday Money”
So with them gone, the duo competition will be between Montgomery Gentry and Sugarland I guess. MG gets my vote. (smiles)
God bless you and them and B&D and Kenny always!!!
Holly
P.S. Oh and one more thing, to me, Kix was not in the lead enough.
Harold says:
I will really miss the Brooks and Dunn as well. Maybe we could think of this duo like Simon and Garfunkel. Paul did the song writing and singing and Art just did the harmony. They performed Really well together as well. Hmmm? Thanks.
Louise Gibson says:
Brooks & Dunn, Wow their music will live on forever. I have danced to their music for many years. I am so disappointed but understand that the time does come when a change is needed. I am still shocked by the announcement.
You both will have fans like me where ever you go. Good luck in whatever you do, just hope you both keep singing.
We have had such a huge change in Country Music these last years I think some of the artists are really not country. Brooks and Dunn always stayed true to their country roots. You will be missed more than you know.
Thank you for all the great years of music you both gave us.
jesse says:
WOW Another great loss in country music. Bad enough Waylon and Johnny are gone but now Brooks and Dunn are going to join the list with alabama. You add that with the lack of Travis Tritt, Patty Loveless, Terri clark, carolyn dawn johnson, Dwight Yoakum, and to many more to mention, not being played on the radio and you end up with soleless cookie cutter pop music insted of country music. When people like Alan Jackson and George Strait are gone there won’t be anything left to do but pack up and take it to the house.
Ron says:
I’ve been around a long,long time and have seen a lot of great acts including Hank Williams,Conway Twitty,George Jones,Jim Reeves,Johnny Cash,Johnny Horton and so many others but have never seen anyone who could had the unique sound like Ronnie Dunn.His style is so smooth and easy its crazy. Reminds me of the way Patsy Cline delivered a song who was the best in her day thus putting her and Ronnie in the same league.He should of been a solo act as all Brooks ever does is dance around swinging his axe and trying to sing with Ronnie on harmony.They are the last of the true country artist left in this style of music as country sound has turned into a country/southern rock,blues mixed in sound.No more twang,twang crying in my beer about some exwife, driving my truck,she’s cheating on me songs.
Gail says:
Thank you for all the years of outstanding music and performances…what a class act and a real tribute to country music. You didn’t have to resort to foolishness or other antics - you relied on your talent and it took you to the top. You will always be my favorite duo and I will miss you greatly. I’ll just have to keep playing your CD’s - I better get more copies before they are worn out!! I hope to hear more from either of you in the future. God Bless You both.