Brooks & Dunn

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Brooks and Dunn: An Unbeatable Combo
Brooks and Dunn took to the music scene by force almost 18 years ago and have followed the road all the way to the top, stopping along the way to lend a helping hand here and there or spend time with the family.  With well over 40 major awards and honors in their name, the duo remains one of the most widely enjoyed country music acts of all time.  Fans are captivated with fast-paced, energetic concerts and a constant burst of energy.  Brooks and Dunn have no apparent plans of slowing down anytime soon. 
 
This story begins in the summer of 1953, when Ronnie Gene Dunn was born on June 1, in Coleman, Texas.  His education started in New Mexico, but by 1974 Dunn had left Abilene Christian University and a promising psychology major behind to pursue a career in music.  After the stringent authorities at the university discovered their student to be playing guitar at local bars and clubs, Dunn was told to quit playing in those establishments or leave the university.  The 21-year-old guitarist moved to Oklahoma, taking gigs when the opportunity presented itself.  He would later be inducted into both the Oklahoma and Arkansas Country Music Halls Of Fame. 
 
Ronnie Dunn Fun Facts:

  • Hometown population in Coleman, Texas is a little more than 5,000.
  • Broadcast Music Inc. Country music songwriter of the year twice.
  • Married for 17 years with three children.
  • 1996 Billboard Magazine country songwriter of the year.
  • Went to 13 different schools in his first 12 years of education.
  • Once wanted to be a Baptist Minister.

 
Leon “Kix” Eric Brooks, III was born two years after his hetero-life-partner, in Shreveport, Louisiana on May 12, 1955. He graduated from Sewanee Military Academy and later did a brief stint at LA Tech University. Throughout his early life and into college, his father was a big supporter of his dream of being a musician.  Kix headed to Nashville in the early 1980’s in pursuit of his dream.  He tried his hand at a solo career in 1983 when Avion released his single, “Baby When Your Heart Breaks Down,” but when it showed no success, he returned to songwriting.  Failure didn’t last too long.
 
Kix Tips

  • Worked the oil lines alongside his father on summer break during college.
  • Became host of radio show American Country Countdown in 2006, replacing Bob Kingsley.
  • Current wife followed him to Nashville when he first moved there, eventually they married and had two children.
  • Staff songwriter for Tree Publishing when he first moved to Nashville.

 
Brand New Man After meeting in 1990, Brooks and Dunn quickly began recording sessions and on August 13, 1991 the duo’s debut album, Brand New Man hit music stores everywhere.  The newcomer’s debut album enjoyed four consecutive No. 1 singes on Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks.  Songs, “Brand New Man,” “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “My Next Broken Heart,” and “Neon Moon” all held the top spot, while another song from the album, “Lost and Found,” reached the #6 spot.  The album went multi-platinum after selling over six million copies.
 
Into Success
 
The next year Brooks and Dunn began to solidify their place in Country Music history forever after winning CMA’s Vocal Duo Award, an honor that they continued to do every year through 2007 except for 2000 when Montgomery Gentry captured the award.  Brooks and Dunn have written the majority of their material over the years themselves, or have in some way co-written an active portion of it.  Their passion for their work can only truly be realized after understanding that both men have created an outstanding music career for themselves, as well as worked hard at lending a hand to some of Country’s notable artists.  Brooks has often appeared to be a true to heart songwriter, while being a successful musician has always come second.      
 
Brooks And Dunn Tid-Bits

  • President Bush used their song, “Only In America” as his 2004 campaign song.
  • Opened for the Rolling Stones in Omaha, Nebraska in 2006.
  • Both members publicly supported the re-election of President Bush in 2004.
  • Simon & Garfunkel is the only music duo to ever sell more records.
  • Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Conlee, Highway 101, among others.

 
Brooks and Dunn Awards And Honors

  • 2008: Academy of Country Music: Top Vocal Duet
  • 2006: Academy of Country Music: Top Vocal Duet
  • 2006: CCMA: Video of the Year
  • 2006: CMA: Music Video of the Year
  • 2006: CMA: Single of the Year
  • 2006: CMA: Song of the Year
  • 2006: CMA: Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 2005: Academy of Country Music: Top Vocal Duet
  • 2005: CMA: Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 2004: CMA: Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 2003: Academy of Country Music: Top Vocal Duet
  • 2003: CMA: Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 2002: CMA: Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 2002: CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards: Group / Duo Video of the Year
  • 1999: CMA: Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 1999: TNN/Music City News: Vocal Group or Duo of the Year
  • 1998: CMA: Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 1998: TNN/Music City News: Vocal Group or Duo of the Year
  • 1997: Academy of Country Music: Top Vocal Duet/Group
  • 1997: American Music Awards: Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group
  • 1997: CMA: Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 1997: TNN/Music City News: Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 1996: Academy of Country Music: Entertainer of the Year
  • 1996: Academy of Country Music: Top Vocal Duet
  • 1996: CMA: Entertainer of the Year
  • 1996: CMA: Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 1996: Grammy: Best Country Performance by Duo/Group W/Vocals
  • 1995: CMA: Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 1995: TNN/Music City News: Vocal Group or Duo of the Year
  • 1994: Academy of Country Music: Top Vocal Duet
  • 1994: CMA: Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 1994: TNN/Music City News: Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 1993: Academy of Country Music: Top Vocal Duet
  • 1993: CMA: Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 1993: Grammy: Best Country Performance by Duo/Group W/Vocals
  • 1993: TNN/Music City News: Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 1992: Academy of Country Music: Album of the Year
  • 1992: Academy of Country Music: Single of the Year
  • 1992: Academy of Country Music: Top Vocal Duet
  • 1992: CMA: Vocal Duo of the Year
  • 1991: Academy of Country Music: Top New Vocal Duet/Group
  • 1991: Academy of Country Music: Top Vocal Duet