Brooks & Dunn Officially Riding Into the Sunset
This almost makes me fall to pieces. This announcement of tour stops on Brooks & Dunn's The Last Rodeo Tour. That really makes it officially official: there will be no more chances to see them perform together after this collection of shows. Tickets go on sale on March 6, and I'd like to encourage everyone here to go. Why? Because for all those people bitching that country isn't country enough anymore, Brooks & Dunn will shut you up. They may not have the iconic status of a Haggard or Jennings, but they are pure country. Ronnie Dunn's twang alone on their first big hit, "Brand New Man," gives me goose bumps. Yet for everyone who prefers country that's more rock than it is old-school outlaw, Brooks & Dunn fit that bill, too, especially with songs like "You Can't Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl." And if you like your country with a gospel edge or a Southern-rock lean, they have that, too. In their 20 years of making music, they have become the country band with something for everyone. So somewhere between March 20 and August 10, between Houston and Nashville, make sure you find time to watch The Last Rodeo ride off into the sunset.
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Freddy says:
They used to be good, a long time ago, but I’ve seen them only as some type of business agreement, more than a mutual love for music and or friendship. Personally I feel they come across like they can’t stand each other. It’s way past time for them to go away.
Peacock Queen says:
I will miss them terribly. They made really great music. The sad thing is, Kix Brooks’ vocals have always been overshadowed by Ronnie’s, but Kix accepted it with grace. Personally, my favorite B&D single is “You Better Kiss Me” with Kix singing the lead. I wish they (producers) had let him sing the lead on more of the songs they released as singles instead of making it the “Ronnie Dunn” show. Don’t get me wrong, Ronnie is great, but I can understand why there was tension between them. I believe they genuinely do like one another or they would not have stayed together as long as they did.
Mick says:
These two were difficult to listen to. They made me turn the radio every time I heard them. They will not be missed. Wonder what was really going on under the covers all these years.
Jessie says:
Alison, you are so on the money!! They’ll be greatly missed!!! Ronnie has arguably one of the best voices in music (any genre) so hopefully radio will play him when/if he does go solo (country - gospel - soul [his Ray Charles cover he did was great]).
I agree with Peacock Queen that I wished radio would have played Kix’s songs more as well — he had some great songs on their CDs. Because of Ronnie’s strong vocals however, I surely can understand why radio wanted to release Ronnie’s leads.
In concert they were a fantastic combination with Kix’s energy, heart, soul on display and Ronnie belting out some great songs as only he can. Ronnie has the style more of Alan Jackson/George Strait — just let me sing :). BELIEVE - RED DIRT ROAD will always be all time favorites along with their more country rock and other styling’s.
After seeing them, you can tell they have a great deal of respect for each other. With Ronnie’s overt shyness and Kix’s exuberance the hookup was a blessing from the heavens - to say the least - and I think they both recognize that and are thankful everyday!
Thanks Alison and thanks Brooks & Dunn for the journey!
Ken says:
“Because for all those people bitching that country isn’t country enough anymore, Brooks & Dunn will shut you up.”
Alison how will it shut us up. It only proves what everyone has been saying on your blogs. Country isn’t country anymore and will be even less when Brooks & Dunn split.
Redmaz says:
Ken, I believe Country Music is bigger and better than it ever has been, and it has nothing to do with B&D. “Country isn’t country anymore”? I’ll take on that challenge, if indeed it is a challenge. If not….just because you don’t know much about today’s Country Music, doesn’t mean great Country Music doesn’t exist.
Ken says:
Redmaz I have actually listened to WSM Online when they do the Music City Roots shows during the week and find it to be very good music but my point was that music is moving further away from what it used to be and unless you do research and find these people of the past or like you listening to roots music then what is left. It used to be when I was growing up that you could watch some great Artist on Hee Haw or The Grand Ole Opry. I have started making more trips to Nashville to listen and see the greats like Ray Price, Connie Smith, Del Mccoury, Jim Ed Brown just to name a few. It should be this way but that is the way it is going.
Redmaz says:
I’m glad you are starting to find today’s Roots Music Ken, but you seem to be contradicting yourself. You say music is moving further away from what it used to be? I don’t understand that. Are you talking about Pop Music or Roots Music? 90% of today’s music is Roots Music, so why sit and complain about the other 10%? Who are some of the NEW Americana/Roots artists you like?
Ken says:
I won’t lie because I am a Carrie Underwood fan but I get frustrated seeing artist like Laura Bell Bundy, Shea Fisher, Jessie James be pure pop and try to pass themselves off as country. I love the older country and would rather listen to cd’s I buy off of Itunes than listen to 95% of what the radio stations are playing today. What I hear on Country radio today sounds nothing like what I hear on WSM’s Music City Roots so I don’t see where you get 90% of todays music is roots music.
Redmaz says:
Well, I don’t know what radio has to do with anything I’m asking you about. If you sit around and listen to Pop Country radio, by definition you’re going to hear Pop Music. Pop is not an individual genre of music. Pop consists of many genres including Country. Just as Americana Music consists of many genres of music including Country. I just have a feeling you don’t know much about today’s Americana/Roots Music, and considering you couldn’t list any of today’s Americana/Roots artists that you like(or dislike for that matter), I believe I’m correct. If you are interested in learning about today’s Americana/Roots Music which makes up 90% of today’s music scene, just let me know. I will help. Did you know not only are there artists on the cutting edge of today’s music scene(Texas/Red Dirt for example), but there are NEW artists carrying on the tradition of Cash, Waylon, Buck, Hank Sr., Bob Wills, Ernest Tubb, Faron Young etc? It’s true. I’m not making this up. We have our own Roots radio stations(both conventional and internet). We have our own Charts(a great place to find NEW artists you haven’t heard of). We even have our own Award shows. The biggest one being the Americana Music Association Honors and Awards show in Nashville Tenn. Whether you believe me or not, that’s up to you, but it’s the truth.
payton parks says:
i love yall so much and i dnt know why yall broke up yalls band … bt i geuss yalll i thought that yall were getin to old so sing … but geuss wat ur to old… so give it a nuther though and get back to gether yalls songs were sooo kick awesome and i loved them sooo verry much … but even yall dont get back together i will still love you with all my heart but at least guve it a nuther though because yall r the best ever …and i just want yall to know that…..
love u soooo berry much.
Ken says:
I am interested and you are right I have listened to Music City Roots only twice but love the sound better than what I am hearing on local radio.
Solyn says:
So true. Honsety and everything recognized.