Brooks & Dunn Prepare Last Rodeo Tour
Posted to the Brooks & Dunn official site on Aug. 10, 2009:
To Our Fans:
After 20 years of making music and riding this trail together, we have
agreed as a duo that it’s time call it a day. This ride has been
everything and more than we could ever have dreamed …. We owe it all
to you, the fans. If you hear rumors, don’t believe them, it’s just
time.We will release our #1’s and then some on September 8, 2009 and come
see you all one last time in 2010, with The Last Rodeo Tour (dates to be
announced).—Brooks & Dunn
Almost twenty years ago, then Arista Records head Tim Dubois introduced a Texan with a classic country voice, Ronnie Dunn, to a rockin’ Louisiana musician, Kix Brooks. It was the beginning of the biggest duo in modern country music. Now the pair has announced it will go out on top, with a greatest hits album called #1s…and then some coming Sept. 8, and a farewell tour to follow.
Brooks & Dunn have 19 CMA Awards and are the most awarded duo in the organization’s history. Only George Strait holds more CMAs, with 22 of the coveted trophies lining his shelves. The duo has received over 80 different kinds of awards, including 26 ACMs, and have been named Entertainer of the Year four times (3 ACM, 1 CMA).
Twenty-three No. 1 hits such as “Brand New Man,” “Boot Scootin Boogie,” “My Maria,” “Red Dirt Road,” and “Play Something Country” have spawned album sales upwards of 30 million. Many of these charttoppers will be on #1s … and then some. True to its title, the 30-song, double-disc collection will feature classics (“Neon Moon,” “That Ain’t No Way to Go,” “Only in America” and ACM and CMA Song of the Year “Believe”) as well as two new tracks, including the current hit, “Indian Summer.”
Brooks & Dunn also stay busy outside of the duo. Dunn has twice been named the BMI Country Songwriter of the year and has received 23 BMI Million Airplay Awards for songs he wrote or co-wrote that have attained one million radio spins.
Brooks is host of internationally syndicated radio program, “American Country Countdown.” He is also active in the industry and the community, serving on the CMA Board, and as CMA President in 2004, and Chairman in 2005. He also sits on the boards of Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Thank You Kix and Ronnie. Brook & Dunn, it’s been one heck of a ride. Since your first release Brand New Man, I’ve enjoyed your music and live shows ever since… Are you sure it’s been 20 years? LOL. You’ve maintained a wholesome excitement and genuine entertainment in country music, and I appreciate that. You boys have a first class operation from the fan club, to Scott and Baja on the road, and “The Queen” at the Arista label. My kleenex are ready for my last rodeo with you! God Bless you both!
WOW! Where to begin? My memories of B&D!! One of my most treasured memories of Ronnie is when he sang his verse of “Amazing Grace” @ Mark Collie’s VIP party in Nashville @ the Wildhorse years ago. The audience was full of Nashville’s finest executives in the music business. And Ronnie had to follow Faith’s verse. AND BOY DID HE! I have never seen everyone in a room stop talking and give their 100% attention to a singer before nor will I ever again!! RONNIE STOPPED EVERYONE IN THEIR TRACKS IN THE ROOM THAT NIGHT WITH HIS VERSE OF AMAZING GRACE!! REMEMEBER THAT NIGHT, RONNIE? PRICELESS MEMORY, THANKS RONNIE. YOU ARE THE BEST VOICE IN COUNTRY MUSIC, BAR NONE. The music industry knew it that night.
My other unforgettable memory was in 1994 when I was backstage in Vegas with the boys. What a night!! You 2 are awesome, and I hope we haven’t heard the last of either one of you!!
BEST OF LUCK TO YOU BOTH!!
With love and admiration,
Karen J. Raufeisen
Ronnie and Kix, I remember where I was when I first heard Brand New Man, on some Ga. backroad and it was a perfect fit for the ride. Then to meet you when J. Oates and I were with Tim, man that was cool for both of us.
Hope they gave you the CD(Abandoned Luncheonette ). I never checked to make sure.
I know we will be hearing a lot more from both of you.
Thanks and best wishes.
Brooks & Dunn… what an amazing duo!
Kix & Ronnie, say it ain’t so! No, really, I get that its time. Thanks for all the great songs and shows! Your music (and you) are my all time favorites! The highlight for me was meeting Kix at Joe’s Pub. I will never forget that! He was so gracious and made me feel like I was the only person in the room! Thanks for autographing a picture of the 2 of you that is very precious to me! I love you guys and look forward to the 2010 tour and whatever you do in the future! I wish you all the best!
Sad to hear and I just heard! 20 years is a long ride…I listened to you as I grew up…had to watch my dad and his buddies go to your concert a handful of years back, I got to clean up the BBQ when they went. I’ve never had the chance to go a concert so plllllease come to Vancouver on your Last Rodeo Tour! I go on mat leave in October and will have all the time in the world!!! Thanks for the great tunes over the years:)