Country Music's Dynamic Duo
The duo in country music is like the roll in rock – they go together
hand in hand. The country music duo stands the test of time like a rock and
roll band. Waylon and Willie, the Bellamy Brothers and George and Tammy are
household names that have been heard on the airwaves for forty years.
And Brooks and Dunn have been doing their brand of country together for more than 16 years. My Maria, Boot Scootin’ Boogie, Neon Moon, Red Dirt Road – the hits just keep on coming and are sure to continue.
With a career that includes more than 40 major country music awards and two Grammys, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks have sold more than 28 million albums. They have been featured on the cover of a corn flakes box, performed for an American president, and even performed at the Olympics.
Paired together in 1990 by Arista records’ Tim Dubois, they hit it big in 1991 with their first #1 single Brand New Man and have never looked back. Last year, the duo took home 4 CMA awards. Their hit song Believe brought home Song and Single of the year from their latest release Hillbilly Deluxe. (see sidebar for lyrics)
Believe embraces the solace of knowing that salvation is a bigger thing than comprehension. It highlights the duo’s belief in Heaven and the notion that there is more to life than just living on Earth.
Ronnie Dunn has reached a place in his life where he wants to tell the truth. “You know I am not some suburban kid…my father spent 7 years in Leavenworth and came out breathing fire - and I was his oldest son so I learned to breathe fire, too.”
Deeper truth and personal experience can be found on Hillbilly Deluxe. The
guitars rip, the steel slides, the drum set crashes, the tickling of the
ivories has begun, and two voices are wailing, moaning and witnessing away.
Hillbilly Deluxe works both sides of the tracks featuring abandonment and commitment. The songs may stir memories for some but they are meant to be fun and enjoyed by all.
Brooks and Dunn are tried and true road champs of country music. Across America this summer and fall, Ronnie Dunn will carry most of the lead vocals and Kix Brooks will work the crowd hard with his guitar and the two of them will raise the roof wherever their tour stops.
Brooks and Dunn will be bringing their road show to Arizona October 7, 2007 with Alan Jackson. The Crickett Pavilion in Phoenix Arizona will be hosting quite possibly country music’s biggest duo. Speaking from experience, this is one show you don’t want to miss. If I ever get the time to rate the top ten shows I have seen, Brooks and Dunn in December of 1998 on a double bill with Reba would crack the list.
By the way, take the kids, mom and dad, and even your grandparents. It is knee slapping sing along, barn burning feel good, all out boogie music. In fact, Ronnie Dunn is hoping you will even kick your shoes off and get up and dance. “From playing in bands and watching the patterns of what people would dance to – because in Oklahoma and Texas if you don’t dance you’re dead….. It’s like Honky Tonk education. You have to stand and deliver just to get in.”
So don’t be afraid to let your hair down and have a good time – Ronnie Dunn will be watching.
© 2008 Good News Tucson™
