Brooks and Dunn: The Defining Duo of Country Music

Brooks and Dunn are an American country music duo formed in 1990, consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn. Hailing from Shreveport, Louisiana and Coleman, Texas respectively, they became the best-selling duo in country music history, with over 30 million albums sold in the United States and 20 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Early career

Both Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn were pursuing solo careers in Nashville during the late 1980s. Tim DuBois, an executive at Arista Nashville, famously suggested they work together after hearing their individual demos, believing their contrasting styles would create a powerful sound.

They officially formed as a duo in 1990 and were signed to Arista Nashville that same year. Their contrasting personalities—Brooks' energetic stage presence and Dunn's soulful, powerhouse vocals—quickly became their trademark.

Breakthrough

The duo's 1991 debut album, Brand New Man, was an instant and massive success. Its title track, along with "My Next Broken Heart," "Neon Moon," and "Boot Scootin' Boogie," all reached number one on the country charts, making it one of the most successful debut albums in country history.

The album was certified 6x Platinum by the RIAA, cementing their status as country music superstars. This explosive start set the stage for a dominant decade where they consistently topped the charts and won numerous awards.

Key tracks

Boot Scootin' Boogie — This song ignited the line-dancing craze of the 1990s and became a cultural phenomenon beyond just country music.

Neon Moon — A classic country ballad showcasing Ronnie Dunn's emotive vocals, it remains one of their most enduring and beloved songs.

Only in America — A patriotic anthem released in 2001 that became a staple at major public events and political rallies.

Believe — This Grammy-winning song from 2005 earned the duo a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Play Something Country — A later-career hit from 2005 that returned them to the number-one spot, proving their lasting relevance.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Brooks and Dunn released a string of multi-platinum albums, including Hard Workin' Man (1993) and Waitin' on Sundown (1994). They were named the Country Music Association's Vocal Duo of the Year every year from 1992 to 2006, except for 2000. After announcing a split in 2009, they reunited in 2015 for a highly successful Las Vegas residency and subsequent tours, and released new music in 2019 with the album Reboot, featuring collaborations with younger artists.

Fans of Brooks and Dunn's brand of energetic, honky-tonk country and heartfelt ballads should also explore the music of Alan Jackson, who shares their traditionalist country roots and hit-making consistency. The harmonies and duo dynamic can be found in the work of Montgomery Gentry, who carried a similar rock-edged country sound into the 2000s. For another highly successful duo with a long chart history, listen to The Judds, who dominated the country charts in the 1980s. The modern inheritors of their upbeat, party-ready country style include Zac Brown Band, known for their musicianship and broad appeal.

The music of Brooks and Dunn is a permanent fixture on country radio formats, from classic country stations to contemporary country FM stations that blend their hits with newer artists. Their catalog provides the backbone for many themed weekend countdowns and "throwback" hours dedicated to 90s country music.

Listeners can discover the extensive catalog of Brooks and Dunn and hear their iconic hits regularly featured on the country music radio stations available on onairium.com. Tune in to experience the duo