History of Brooks & Dunn in Timeline
Brooks & Dunn are an American country music duo formed in 1988, consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn. Both members serve as vocalists and songwriters. Prior to their collaboration, both had solo careers in the 1980s, with each charting two singles. Brooks also released an album in 1989 and penned hit songs for other artists before the duo's formation, which was facilitated by Tim DuBois.
22 hours ago : Ronnie Dunn Abruptly Exits Stage During Encore, Sparking Health Speculation.
Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn walked offstage during an encore performance, leading to concerns about his health. The incident occurred during a recent show, prompting speculation and worry among fans. His condition is currently unknown.
June 1, 1953: Ronnie Dunn Born
On June 1, 1953, Ronnie Gene Dunn was born in Coleman, Texas.
May 12, 1955: Kix Brooks Born
On May 12, 1955, Leon Eric "Kix" Brooks III was born in Shreveport, Louisiana.
1972: Original release of "My Maria"
In 1972, B.W. Stevenson released the song "My Maria".
1976: Brooks Moves to Nashville
In 1976, Kix Brooks moved to Nashville, Tennessee, after playing at various venues in Maine.
1983: Dunn Records for Churchill Label
Between 1983 and 1984, Ronnie Dunn recorded for the Churchill label, with both "It's Written All Over Your Face" and "She Put the Sad in All His Songs" reaching number 59 on the country charts.
1983: "Baby, When Your Heart Breaks Down" Charts
In 1983, Kix Brooks' single "Baby, When Your Heart Breaks Down" charted at No. 73 on Hot Country Songs.
1984: Dunn Records for Churchill Label
Between 1983 and 1984, Ronnie Dunn recorded for the Churchill label, with both "It's Written All Over Your Face" and "She Put the Sad in All His Songs" reaching number 59 on the country charts.
1988: Duo Formation
In 1988, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn formed the country music duo Brooks & Dunn, suggested by songwriter and record producer Tim DuBois. Both Brooks and Dunn were solo recording artists before their collaboration.
1989: Brooks Releases Self-Titled Album
In 1989, Kix Brooks released a self-titled studio album through Capitol Records. The album included the song "Baby, When Your Heart Breaks Down".
1989: Dunn Wins Talent Contest
In 1989, Ronnie Dunn won a talent contest sponsored by Marlboro, which included a recording session in Nashville, Tennessee, as the grand prize.
1990: Dunn Writes "Boot Scootin' Boogie"
During this timespan, Ronnie Dunn also wrote "Boot Scootin' Boogie", which Asleep at the Wheel recorded on their 1990 album, Keepin' Me Up Nights.
1990: "Tomorrow's World" Released for Earth Day
In 1990, Kix Brooks and Pam Tillis co-wrote and sang on "Tomorrow's World", a multi-artist single released on Warner Bros. Records in honor of Earth Day.
June 1991: "Brand New Man" Enters Charts
In June 1991, Brooks & Dunn's first single, "Brand New Man", entered the Hot Country Songs charts and went to number one.
1991: Release of "Brand New Man"
In 1991, Brooks & Dunn's debut album, "Brand New Man", was released. It has been certified sextuple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of six million copies.
1991: Brooks Co-Produces "Backbone Job"
In 1991, Kix Brooks co-produced and co-wrote "Backbone Job", a Keith Whitley outtake that appeared on his compilation album, Kentucky Bluebird.
1991: Breakup of The Judds
In 1991, Michael McCall noted that the breakup of The Judds led to very few two-person acts in country music.
August 1992: "Brand New Man" Certified Platinum
In August 1992, the album "Brand New Man" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of one million copies.
1992: First CMA Vocal Duo of the Year award
In 1992, Brooks & Dunn won the Country Music Association (CMA) Vocal Duo of the Year award. This marked the beginning of a winning streak that lasted until 2006, with one exception in 2000.
1992: "Boot Scootin' Boogie" Popularizes Line Dancing
In 1992, Brooks & Dunn's single "Boot Scootin' Boogie" contributed to the repopularization of line dancing in the United States.
1992: McBride & the Ride Covers "Sacred Ground"
In 1992, McBride & the Ride covered Kix Brooks' song "Sacred Ground" and took it to No. 2 on the country charts.
1993: Release of Hard Workin' Man
In 1993, Brooks and Dunn released their second album, Hard Workin' Man. The title track reached number four on the country music charts.
1993: ACM Vocal Duo of the Year Category
In 1993, the Academy of Country Music had only four acts instead of five in the Vocal Duo of the Year category, where two of the four nominees were not signed to a record label at the time.
September 1994: Collaboration with Johnny Cash
In early September 1994, Brooks and Dunn collaborated with Johnny Cash on a rendition of his song "Folsom Prison Blues" for the album Red Hot + Country, a charity album made by the Red Hot Organization to benefit AIDS awareness.
1994: Formation of New Duos
By 1994, Michael McCall stated that several more duos had been formed in response to the rise of upstart duos, mostly consisting of male songwriters, such as Turner Nichols, Archer/Park, and Orrall & Wright.
1994: "Hard Workin' Man" wins Grammy
In 1994, Brooks & Dunn won the Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for their song "Hard Workin' Man".
1994: Release of Waitin' on Sundown
In 1994, Brooks and Dunn released their third studio album, Waitin' on Sundown, which produced five charting singles.
1994: Co-wrote "Darned If I Don't (Danged If I Do)"
In 1994, Dunn and Dean Dillon co-wrote Shenandoah's single "Darned If I Don't (Danged If I Do)" and the track "She Wants Me to Stay" on David Kersh's debut album Goodnight Sweetheart.
1994: Guest Vocals on "Take These Chains from My Heart"
In 1994, Dunn sang guest vocals on Lee Roy Parnell's cover of the Hank Williams song "Take These Chains from My Heart", which was featured on Parnell's album On the Road.
1996: "My Maria" named top country song
In 1996, Brooks & Dunn's cover of "My Maria" was named the top country song of the year according to Billboard Year-End charts. The duo also won the Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "My Maria" in 1996.
1996: "My Maria" Top Country Song of the Year and Grammy Win
In 1996, Brooks and Dunn's cover of B.W. Stevenson's "My Maria" was the top country song according to the Billboard Year-End charts. They also won their second Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Group or Duo, and won Entertainer of the Year from both the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music.
September 16, 1997: Greatest Hits Compilation Release
On September 16, 1997, Brooks & Dunn released their first greatest hits compilation, featuring most of their singles and three new songs.
1997: Double-Headliner Tour with Reba McEntire
In 1997, Brooks & Dunn joined a double-headliner tour with Reba McEntire.
April 1998: Greatest Hits Certified Platinum
In April 1998, Brooks & Dunn's The Greatest Hits Collection was certified platinum.
1999: Cover of "Against the Wind"
In 1999, Brooks & Dunn covered Bob Seger's "Against the Wind" for the soundtrack to the cartoon King of the Hill. The rendition charted at number 55 based on unsolicited airplay.
1999: Release of Tight Rope album
In 1999, Brooks & Dunn released their sixth album, Tight Rope, which was their least commercially successful release. The album included three singles: a cover of John Waite's "Missing You", "Beer Thirty", and "You'll Always Be Loved By Me".
2000: Loss of CMA Vocal Duo of the Year award
In 2000, Brooks & Dunn did not win the Country Music Association (CMA) Vocal Duo of the Year award, breaking their winning streak that started in 1992. Montgomery Gentry won the award that year.
2000: "You'll Always Be Loved By Me" peaks at number five
In 2000, the single "You'll Always Be Loved By Me" from the album Tight Rope peaked at number five.
2001: Release of Steers & Stripes album
In 2001, Brooks & Dunn released their seventh album, Steers & Stripes, featuring the lead single "Ain't Nothing 'Bout You". The song became their longest-lasting number one hit and peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.
2001: Greatest Hits Certified Double-Platinum
In 2001, Brooks & Dunn's The Greatest Hits Collection was certified double-platinum.
2001: If You See Her reaches Double-Platinum
In 2001, Brooks & Dunn's album, If You See Her, reached double-platinum certification in the United States.
2001: "Ain't Nothing 'bout You" named top country song
In 2001, Brooks & Dunn's single "Ain't Nothing 'bout You" was named the top country song of the year according to Billboard Year-End charts. It was also the duo's longest-lasting number-one single, holding the position for six weeks.
2001: "Only in America" Used in Presidential Campaigns
In 2001, Brooks & Dunn's song "Only in America" was used by both George W. Bush and Barack Obama in their respective presidential campaigns.
2001: Co-produced album Highways & Heartaches
In 2001, Dunn co-produced Wade Hayes' album Highways & Heartaches.
2002: "Brand New Man" Certified Sextuple-Platinum
By 2002, the album "Brand New Man" had been certified sextuple-platinum for shipments of six million copies.
2002: Release of It Won't Be Christmas Without You album
In 2002, Brooks and Dunn released their first Christmas album, It Won't Be Christmas Without You. Four of its songs charted based on seasonal airplay.
2002: Hard Workin' Man Earns Quintuple Platinum
In 2002, Hard Workin' Man earned its highest RIAA certification, being certified quintuple platinum.
2003: Co-wrote "Don't Leave"
In 2003, Dunn co-wrote the song "Don't Leave" with Toby Keith, which was featured on Keith's album Shock'n Y'all.
2003: Release of Red Dirt Road album
In early 2003, Brooks & Dunn released their eighth studio album, Red Dirt Road, featuring the title track which became their 18th number one on Billboard. Two more singles were released from it.
October 2004: Release of The Greatest Hits Collection II
In October 2004, Arista Nashville released Brooks and Dunn's second greatest-hits package, The Greatest Hits Collection II. The album included singles from If You See Her, Steers and Stripes, Red Dirt Road, and the previously unreleased "That's What It's All About" and "It's Getting Better All the Time".
2004: "Only in America" used in George W. Bush re-election campaign
In 2004, the song "Only in America" by Brooks & Dunn was used by George W. Bush in his re-election campaign.
August 2005: Release of "Play Something Country"
In August 2005, Brooks & Dunn released the single "Play Something Country", which was the lead-off to their ninth studio album, Hillbilly Deluxe. The song became their twentieth and final number one on Hot Country Songs.
2005: Guest Vocals on "Try Me"
In 2005, Dunn provided guest vocals on the song "Try Me" from Trisha Yearwood's album, Jasper County.
January 2006: Host of American Country Countdown
In January 2006, Brooks succeeded Bob Kingsley as the host of the radio countdown show American Country Countdown.
2006: Final consecutive CMA Vocal Duo of the Year award
Brooks & Dunn won the Country Music Association (CMA) Vocal Duo of the Year award in 2006, marking the end of their consecutive wins since 1992, with the exception of 2000.
2006: CMA Duo Award Streak Ends (Except 2000)
Brooks and Dunn won the Country Music Association Vocal Duo of the Year award every year between 1992 and 2006, except for 2000.
2006: Long Haul Tour begins
In 2006, Brooks and Dunn began their Long Haul tour, which featured Sugarland and Jack Ingram as opening acts.
2006: Recording "Keep On Swinging"
In 2006, Brooks and Dunn recorded "Keep On Swinging", which Brooks wrote with Five for Fighting, for the soundtrack to the animated film Everyone's Hero.
2006: Creation of "Keep The Music Playing" Program
In 2006, Brooks was pivotal in the creation of the "Keep The Music Playing" program which is funded from proceeds of the CMA Music Fest. The campaign has provided more than $11M into Tennessee schools for music education since 2006.
2006: Guest Vocals on "Raise the Barn"
In 2006, Dunn sang guest vocals on the song "Raise the Barn" from Keith Urban's album Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing and on Ashley Monroe's single "I Don't Want To."
October 2, 2007: Release of Cowboy Town album
On October 2, 2007, Brooks & Dunn released their 10th studio album, Cowboy Town. The album's lead-off single was "Proud of the House We Built".
2007: Duet with Carlene Carter on "Jackson"
In 2007, Dunn sang a duet with Carlene Carter, covering Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash's "Jackson" for the tribute album Anchored in Love: A Tribute to June Carter Cash.
2008: Collaboration with Mac Powell
In 2008, Brooks and Dunn collaborated with Mac Powell on "Over the Next Hill" from the soundtrack to the film Billy: The Early Years, and took the song to number 55 on the country charts.
2008: "Only in America" used in Barack Obama campaign
In 2008, the song "Only in America" by Brooks & Dunn was used by Barack Obama in his campaign.
2008: Wrote "The Adventures of Slim and Howdy" book
In late 2008, Brooks & Dunn worked with Bill Fitzhugh to write a book titled The Adventures of Slim and Howdy.
August 10, 2009: Brooks & Dunn announce split
On August 10, 2009, Brooks and Dunn announced that they would be splitting up after The Last Rodeo tour. They released a final compilation album, #1s… and Then Some.
August 2009: Retirement Announcement
In August 2009, Brooks & Dunn announced their retirement as a duo.
2009: Cowboy Town Tour
In 2009, Brooks & Dunn had a tour named Cowboy Town, which featured Rodney Atkins and ZZ Top.
May 23, 2010: CBS airs The Last Rodeo tribute show
On May 23, 2010, CBS aired a tribute show presented by the Academy of Country Music titled The Last Rodeo, which featured various country music stars performing Brooks & Dunn songs while the duo received a Milestone Award. Proceeds from the concert were donated to help victims of the 2010 Tennessee floods.
September 2, 2010: Final Concert
On September 2, 2010, Brooks & Dunn performed their final concert at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
2010: ACM Nomination for Radio Personality
In 2010, Brooks received an Academy of Country Music nomination for National On-Air Radio Personality.
2010: Co-wrote "I Keep On Loving You"
In 2010, Dunn co-wrote Reba McEntire's single "I Keep On Loving You" with Terry McBride.
June 2011: Ronnie Dunn releases self-titled album
In June 2011, Ronnie Dunn released his self-titled solo album, which produced the top 40 country hits "Bleed Red", "Cost of Livin'" and "Let the Cowboy Rock".
2011: Acting Debut
In 2011, Brooks made his acting debut in an independent film called Thriftstore Cowboy and starred in a second film, The Last Ride.
2011: Covered "She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)"
In 2011, Dunn covered Gary Stewart's "She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)" for the soundtrack of the film Country Strong, and contributed duet vocals to Cledus T. Judd's parody of "God Must Be Busy", titled "Garth Must Be Busy".
2011: Dunn Releases Solo Album
In 2011, after the duo's separation, Ronnie Dunn released a self-titled solo album, which included the top-10 country hit "Bleed Red".
June 7, 2012: Ronnie Dunn exits Arista Nashville
On June 7, 2012, Ronnie Dunn announced via Facebook that he had exited Arista Nashville.
September 2012: Kix Brooks releases New to This Town album
In September 2012, Kix Brooks released his first Arista album, also titled New to This Town.
September 2012: Brooks Releases Solo Album
In September 2012, after the duo's separation, Kix Brooks released his album "New to This Town".
2013: Ronnie Dunn Duet with Kelly Clarkson
In 2013, Ronnie Dunn sang duet vocals with Kelly Clarkson on a cover of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" from her Christmas album Wrapped in Red.
December 3, 2014: Reunion Announced
On December 3, 2014, Brooks & Dunn announced that they would be reuniting to perform a series of concerts in Las Vegas with Reba McEntire in mid to late 2015.
2014: Release of Peace, Love, and Country Music album
In 2014, Ronnie Dunn's second solo album, Peace, Love, and Country Music, was released.
2015: Reunion Concerts with Reba McEntire
In 2015, Brooks & Dunn reunited for a series of concerts with Reba McEntire in Las Vegas.
2015: Las Vegas Residency
In 2015, Brooks & Dunn reunited to perform a series of concerts in Las Vegas with Reba McEntire.
2015: CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award
In 2015, Brooks received the inaugural CMA Foundation "Humanitarian Award" for his dedication to organizations such as Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, The Monroe Harding Children's Home, and the CMA Foundation.
2015: Near Break-up
In 2015, Brooks revealed that the poor performance of the album Tight Rope almost led to the duo splitting up, as they felt they weren't writing together anymore, but they ultimately stayed together at the suggestion of Joe Galante.
2016: Collaboration on "Forever Country"
In 2016, Brooks & Dunn were selected as some of the 30 artists to perform on "Forever Country", in celebration of 50 years of the CMA Awards.
2016: Release of Tattooed Heart album
In 2016, Ronnie Dunn released Tattooed Heart on Valory Music Group's Nash Icon label, featuring Brooks on the single "Damn Drunk".
February 2019: Announcement of Reboot album
In February 2019, Brooks & Dunn announced a new album called Reboot, which features re-recordings of their previous singles with guest vocals from contemporary country-music artists. They also issued two of their tracks - a version of "Brand New Man" with Luke Combs, and "Believe" featuring Kane Brown.
March 2019: Appearance at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
In March 2019, Brooks and Dunn made an appearance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
April 5, 2019: Release of Reboot album
On April 5, 2019, Brooks & Dunn released their Reboot album, which features re-recordings of their previous singles with guest vocals from contemporary country-music artists.
2019: Appearance on The Voice
In 2019, Brooks & Dunn featured in season 16 of The Voice as battle advisors as a part of Team Blake.
2019: Induction into Country Music Hall of Fame
In 2019, Brooks & Dunn were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
2023: "Only in America" used in Donald Trump rally
In 2023, Donald Trump used "Only in America" at a campaign rally while facing multiple criminal charges.
November 15, 2024: Release of Reboot II album
Brooks & Dunn released a sequel album to Reboot on November 15, 2024, titled Reboot II. It includes re-recordings of their previous hit singles with other country music artists and collaborations with rock band Halestorm and blues singer Marcus King.
2024: Brooks and Dunn win CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Award
In 2024, Brooks & Dunn won the Country Music Association (CMA) Vocal Duo of the Year award.
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