Brooks & Dunn#Backing band

{{See also|Kix Brooks|Ronnie Dunn}}

Leon Eric "Kix" Brooks III was born on May 12, 1955, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and before moving to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1976, he played at various venues in Maine. He was also a neighbor of country singer Johnny Horton.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=brooks-dunn-p1534/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Brooks & Dunn biography|last=Huey|first=Steve|work=AllMusic|access-date=12 October 2010}} Brooks worked as a songwriter in the 1980s,{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p21880|pure_url=yes}}|title=Kix Brooks biography|last=Huey|first=Steve|work=AllMusic|access-date=12 October 2010}} co-writing the number-one singles "I'm Only in It for the Love" by John Conlee, "Modern Day Romance" by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and "Who's Lonely Now" by Highway 101,{{cite book|last1=Stambler|first1=Irwin|last2=Landon|first2=Grelun|last3=Stambler|first3=Lyndon|title=Country Music: The Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QAPi0EaJo4wC&q=%22brooks+%26+Dunn%22+%22Brand+new+man%22&pg=PA48|year=1997|publisher=Macmillan|pages=47–48|isbn=978-0-312-26487-1}} plus The Oak Ridge Boys' Top 20 hit "You Made a Rock of a Rolling Stone",{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/song/you-made-a-rock-of-a-rollingstone-t1047593|title='You Made a Rock of a Rolling Stone' listing|work=AllMusic|access-date=10 May 2012}} Nicolette Larson's "Let Me Be the First",{{cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/song/let-me-be-the-first-t658516|title=Let Me Be the First|work=AllMusic|access-date=21 May 2012}} and Keith Palmer's "Don't Throw Me in the Briarpatch".{{cite AV media notes |title=Keith Palmer |others=Keith Palmer |year=1991 |type=CD insert l|publisher=Epic Records |id=48611}} Brooks also released several singles through the independent Avion label, charting at No. 73 on Hot Country Songs in 1983 with "Baby, When Your Heart Breaks Down". In 1989, he released a self-titled studio album through Capitol Records. This album included "Baby, When Your Heart Breaks Down" and "Sacred Ground", which McBride & the Ride covered and took to No. 2 on the country charts in 1992. Brooks and Pam Tillis co-wrote and sang on "Tomorrow's World", a multi-artist single released on Warner Bros. Records in 1990 in honor of Earth Day.Whitburn, p. 424{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/28757025.html?dids=28757025:28757025&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+22%2C+1990&author=Jack+Hurst%2C+Country+music+writer&pub=Chicago+Tribune+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=Earth+calling.+.+.Help!+Cautious+Nashville+is+starting+to+turn+green&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114175203/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/28757025.html?dids=28757025:28757025&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+22%2C+1990&author=Jack+Hurst%2C+Country+music+writer&pub=Chicago+Tribune+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=Earth+calling.+.+.Help!+Cautious+Nashville+is+starting+to+turn+green&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 14, 2012|title=Earth calling... Help! Cautious Nashville is starting to turn green|last=Hurst|first=Jack|date=22 April 1990|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=12 May 2012}} Brooks also co-produced and co-wrote "Backbone Job", a Keith Whitley outtake that appeared on his 1991 compilation album, Kentucky Bluebird.{{cite AV media notes |title=Kentucky Bluebird |others=Keith Whitley |year=1991 |type=cassette insert |publisher=RCA Records |id=3156-4-R}}

Ronnie Gene Dunn was born on June 1, 1953, in Coleman, Texas. He played bass guitar in local bands during high school, and he briefly studied theology at Hardin-Simmons University with the intention of becoming a Baptist preacher. Dunn was "kicked out" of the school because he played in bars. Between 1983 and 1984, he recorded for the Churchill label, taking both "It's Written All Over Your Face" and "She Put the Sad in All His Songs" to number 59 on the country charts.Whitburn, p. 133 In 1989, session drummer Jamie Oldaker entered Dunn in a talent contest sponsored by Marlboro, which he won.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p72707|pure_url=yes}}|title=Ronnie Dunn biography|last=Harris|first=Craig|work=AllMusic|access-date=12 October 2010}} The grand prize in the competition included a recording session in Nashville, Tennessee. The producer of that session, Scott Hendricks, recommended Dunn's recordings to Tim DuBois, then an executive of Arista Nashville. DuBois paired Brooks and Dunn because he thought that they would work well together as songwriters, and after the two recorded a demo, he suggested that they form a duo. During this timespan, Dunn also wrote "Boot Scootin' Boogie", which Asleep at the Wheel recorded on their 1990 album, Keepin' Me Up Nights.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/keepin-me-up-nights-mw0000689965|title=Keepin' Me Up Nights|work=AllMusic|access-date=26 March 2014}}

Brooks and Dunn's first single, "Brand New Man", entered the Hot Country Songs charts in June 1991 and went to number one. It was the title track to the duo's debut album, Brand New Man, which was released two months later. Brooks and Dunn wrote this song and several other cuts in collaboration with songwriter Don Cook, who co-produced the album with Hendricks. It was also Cook's first credit as a producer.{{cite web |url=http://www.yamaha.com/publications/allaccess/summer2001/02cook.htm |title=Don Cook: Nashville's Reluctant Producer |date=Summer 2001 |work=Yamaha.com |access-date=8 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612144335/http://www.yamaha.com/publications/allaccess/summer2001/02cook.htm |archive-date=12 June 2011 }} The next three single releases from Brand New Man ("My Next Broken Heart", "Neon Moon", and their own rendition of "Boot Scootin' Boogie") all made number one on the country music charts, as well, making for the first time in country-music history that a duo or group had sent its first four singles to the top of the charts. A fifth single, "Lost and Found", peaked at number six. "Boot Scootin' Boogie", which had previously been the B-side to "My Next Broken Heart", also made number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100,{{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008|publisher=Record Research, Inc|year=2008|pages=63–64|isbn=978-0-89820-177-2}} and its commercial success led to a renewed interest in line dancing throughout the United States. Brand New Man was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in August 1992 for shipments of one million copies; by 2002, the album had been certified sextuple-platinum for shipments of six million.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=Brooks%20Dunn&format=ALBUM&go=Search&perPage=50|title=Search results for Brooks & Dunn|work=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=12 October 2010}} It spent more than 190 weeks on the Top Country Albums charts. In 1992, the duo won the Duo of the Year Award from the Country Music Association, which also nominated them for that year's Album of the Year and Horizon awards. Brooks and Dunn won the association's Duo award for every year from then until 2006, except for 2000, when the award went to Montgomery Gentry.{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/brooks_and_dunn/awards.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031223064634/http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/brooks_and_dunn/awards.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 23, 2003|title=Brooks & Dunn: Awards|work=CMT|access-date=12 May 2012}} After the album's release, Brooks & Dunn began touring as well.

Brand New Man received a positive review from AllMusic, whose critic Daniel Gioffre thought that the album showed the duo's diversity of musical influences.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r123489|pure_url=yes}}|title=Brand New Man review|last=Gioffre|first=Daniel|work=AllMusic|access-date=12 October 2010}} Alanna Nash of Entertainment Weekly was less positive, criticizing the duo's sound for being "imitative".{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1991/11/01/brand-new-man/|title=Brand New Man review|last=Nash|first=Alanna|date=1 November 1991|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=12 October 2010|archive-date=7 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607174623/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,316020,00.html|url-status=live}}

Hard Workin' Man was the title of Brooks and Dunn's second album, which was released in 1993. The title track, also its first single, peaked at number four on the country music charts. The album included two number-one singles in its third and fifth releases: "She Used to Be Mine" and its B-side, "That Ain't No Way to Go". "We'll Burn That Bridge" and "Rock My World (Little Country Girl)" (respectively the second and fourth releases) both made top five on Billboard, with the former reaching number one on Radio & Records. Also included on the album was a remix of "Boot Scootin' Boogie". In 1994, "Hard Workin' Man" won the duo a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and the album was nominated for Best Country Album. Hard Workin' Man earned its highest RIAA certification in 2002, when it was certified quintuple platinum. Brian Mansfield gave a generally positive review in Allmusic, saying that its up-tempo songs "rocked harder" than any of the songs from the first album.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r123614|pure_url=yes}}|title=Hard Workin' Man review|last=Mansfield|first=Brian|work=AllMusic|access-date=12 October 2010}}

By the end of 1994, the duo released their third studio album, Waitin' on Sundown. It also produced five charting singles, three of which made number one on the country charts: "She's Not the Cheatin' Kind", "Little Miss Honky Tonk", and "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone". The other two singles, "I'll Never Forgive My Heart" and "Whiskey Under the Bridge", both made top 10. Allmusic critic Thom Owens thought that the album's singles were "solid", but that the rest of the songs were "filler".{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r207117|pure_url=yes}}|title=Waitin' on Sundown review|last=Owens|first=Thom|work=AllMusic|access-date=13 October 2010}} A review of the single "She's Not the Cheatin' Kind" from the same site praised it for its "hard-driving, honky-tonk spirit".{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=song|id=shes-not-the-cheatin-kind-t986198|pure_url=yes}}|title=She's Not the Cheatin' Kind|last=Cohoon|first=Rick|work=AllMusic|access-date=13 October 2010}} Nash praised the honky-tonk sound of "I'll Never Forgive My Heart", but thought that most of the other songs relied on "contrivance".{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1994/09/30/waitin-sundown/|title=Waitin' on Sundown review|last=Nash|first=Alanna|date=30 September 1994|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=13 October 2010}} Randy Lewis of the Orlando Sentinel gave a generally positive review, saying that the "minidrama" of "A Few Good Rides Away" (which Brooks co-wrote) was the strongest track on the album.{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/77858822.html?dids=77858822:77858822&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+21%2C+1994&author=Randy+Lewis%2C+Los+Angeles+Times&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=BROOKS+%26+DUNN&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104050826/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/77858822.html?dids=77858822:77858822&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+21,+1994&author=Randy+Lewis,+Los+Angeles+Times&pub=Orlando+Sentinel&desc=BROOKS+&+DUNN&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 4, 2012|title=Brooks & Dunn|last=Lewis|first=Randy|date=21 October 1994|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=13 October 2010}}

The first single from Brooks and Dunn's fourth album, Borderline, was a cover version of B.W. Stevenson's 1972 single "My Maria". Their version of the song spent three weeks at number one in mid-1996 and peaked at number 79 on the Billboard Hot 100; it was also that year's top country song according to the Billboard Year-End charts.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/hot-country-songs |title=Year End Charts - Year-end Singles - Hot Country Songs |magazine=Billboard.com |access-date=12 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211063523/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/hot-country-songs |archive-date=11 December 2007}} Dunn said that he was initially reluctant to record "My Maria" because the duo had not previously recorded any cover songs.{{cite magazine|last=Price|first=Deborah Evans|title=Brooks & Dunn: Award Winning Country|magazine=Billboard|volume=108|issue=49|page=42|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uAkEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22brooks+%26+Dunn%22+%22Brand+new+man%22&pg=PA42|date=1996-12-07}} The song won Brooks and Dunn its second Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Group or Duo, and the duo won the 1996 Entertainer of the Year award from both the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music, making them the first duo to win that award from the former.{{cite web|title=Our Brooks & Dunn|url=http://www.grammy.com/news/our-brooks-dunn|publisher=Grammy.com|access-date=2 July 2012}} In 1997, Brooks & Dunn joined a double-headliner tour with Reba McEntire.{{cite magazine|last=Flippo|first=Chet|title=Nashville Scene|magazine=Billboard|volume=109|issue=5|page=31|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zA4EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22brooks+%26+dunn%22+%22billboard%22&pg=PA31|date=1997-02-01}} Borderline produced another number one in "A Man This Lonely", along with the top-10 hits "I Am That Man" and "Why Would I Say Goodbye". "Mama Don't Get Dressed Up for Nothing", the third single and B-side to "My Maria", became their first release not to make the top 10.

Michael McCall of Allmusic and Alanna Nash of Entertainment Weekly both thought that the album's material was "cliché" and that "My Maria" was the strongest song on it.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=borderline-r233614|pure_url=yes}}|title=Borderline review|last=McCall|first=Michael|work=AllMusic|access-date=13 October 2010}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1996/04/19/borderline/|title=Borderline review|last=Nash|first=Alanna|date=19 April 1996|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=13 October 2010}} A more positive review came from Larry Stephens of Country Standard Time, who thought that the album had "the right mix" of songs.{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=305|title=Borderline review|last=Stephens|first=Larry|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=13 October 2010}}

Their first greatest hits compilation was released on September 16, 1997. It comprised most of their singles to that point and three new songs: "Honky Tonk Truth", "He's Got You", and "Days of Thunder". The first two were released as singles, with respective peaks of three and two on the country charts. The Greatest Hits Collection was certified platinum in April 1998, and double-platinum in 2001.

File:RebaMcEntireApr10.jpg" with Reba McEntire, who later provided a guest vocal on a re-release of the duo's 2008 single "Cowgirls Don't Cry".]]

Brooks & Dunn collaborated with Reba McEntire to perform "If You See Him/If You See Her", which was the lead-off single to Brooks and Dunn's If You See Her and McEntire's If You See Him, both of which were released on the same day.{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1475193/reba-and-brooks-dunn-team-up-for-duet.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115005128/http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1475193/reba-and-brooks-dunn-team-up-for-duet.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 15, 2012|title=Reba and Brooks & Dunn Team Up for Duet|date=1 April 1998|work=CMT|access-date=12 October 2010}} Arista Nashville and MCA Nashville, the label to which McEntire was signed, both promoted the single.{{cite magazine|last=Price|first=Deborah Evans|date=9 May 1998|title=Arista's B&D Set In Ties with Reba|magazine=Billboard|volume=110|issue=19|page=41|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UQ0EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22brooks+%26+dunn%22+%22billboard%22&pg=PA41}} This cut went to number one, as did If You See Her's next two singles: "How Long Gone" and a cover of Roger Miller's "Husbands and Wives", which also became the duo's first top-40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Dunn recorded the vocals for "Husbands and Wives" in one take.{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1475405/brooks-dunn-revive-a-classic.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117071859/http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1475405/brooks-dunn-revive-a-classic.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 17, 2012|title=Brooks & Dunn revive a classic|date=21 September 1998|work=CMT|access-date=12 October 2010}} Also included on the album was a cover of Mark Collie's "Born and Raised in Black and White", the first song of the duo's career in which they alternated on lead vocals. The album's fourth single was "I Can't Get Over You", which was a top-five country hit. Following it was "South of Santa Fe", which peaked at number 41 on the country charts, thus becoming the duo's lowest-peaking single there. In 2001, If You See Her reached double-platinum certification in the United States.

Jana Pendragon, in her review for Allmusic, praised Dunn's vocal performances on "Husbands and Wives" and "You're My Angel", but thought that a couple of the other cuts were "formula".{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=if-you-see-her-r352824|pure_url=yes}}|title=If You See Her review|last=Pendragon|first=Jana|work=AllMusic|access-date=13 October 2010}} Country Standard Time writer Kevin Oliver criticized the album for having "wildly uneven" material, calling the McEntire collaboration a "snoozer" and "South of Santa Fe" "wretched".{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=303|title=If You See Her review|last=Oliver|first=Kevin|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=13 October 2010}}

Tight Rope (1999), the duo's sixth album, was also its least commercially successful release. It included three singles: a cover of John Waite's "Missing You", followed by "Beer Thirty" and "You'll Always Be Loved By Me". The former two failed to make top 10, while the latter peaked at number five in 2000. Dunn co-wrote some songs on this album with McBride & the Ride lead singer and bassist Terry McBride (who would later join Brooks & Dunn's road band), and Brooks collaborated with Bob DiPiero.{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=302|title=Tight Rope review|last=Weisberger|first=Jon|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=13 October 2010}} The duo shared production duties with Byron Gallimore on all three singles and four other songs on the album, while retaining Cook as producer on the other six.{{cite AV media notes |title=Tight Rope |others=Brooks & Dunn |year=1999 |publisher=Arista Nashville |id= 07822}} While "Beer Thirty" was climbing, the album cut "Goin' Under Gettin' Over You" charted as high as number 60 based on unsolicited airplay. Tight Rope was certified gold for U.S. shipments of 500,000 copies, but did not receive any higher certification. Likely due to its performance, the duo has not featured any material from this album on their compilations.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave this album a mixed review, referring to the "Missing You" cover as a "misstep".{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=tight-rope-r428783/review|pure_url=yes}}|title=Tight Rope review|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|work=AllMusic|access-date=13 October 2010}} Jon Weisberger thought that the album was "consistent" but added that it did not have any "surprises". Brooks revealed in 2015 that the album's poor performance almost led to the duo splitting up, as he felt, "We weren't really writing together anymore, and we were just kind of done", but they ultimately stayed together at the suggestion of Joe Galante, then the head of their label.{{cite web|url=http://theboot.com/kix-brooks-reveals-that-brooks-dunn-almost-broke-up-in-2000/|title=Kix Brooks Explains Why Brooks & Dunn Almost Broke Up in 2000 — And What Kept Them Together Read More: Kix Brooks Says Brooks & Dunn Almost Broke Up in 2000|last=Allers|first=Hannahlee|date=18 February 2015|work=The Boot|access-date=23 February 2015}}

In addition to persuading the duo to stay together, Galante suggested that they record the song "Ain't Nothing 'Bout You", because he felt it had potential as a hit. The song served as the lead single from their seventh album, 2001's Steers & Stripes. It became their longest-lasting number one, with a six-week stay at that position. This song was the second song of the duo's career to be named the top single of the year according to Billboard Year-End;{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2001/hot-country-songs |title=Year End Charts - Year-end Singles - Hot Country Songs |magazine=Billboard.com |access-date=2009-08-31 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071211040730/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2001/hot-country-songs |archive-date= 2007-12-11}} it was also their highest peak on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time, peaking at number 25 there. For this album, the duo worked with producer Mark Wright, who also produced for Lee Ann Womack and Gary Allan at the time.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2001/04/27/steers-stripes/|title=Steers & Stripes review|last=Nash|first=Alanna|date=27 April 2001|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=13 October 2010}}

The next two singles from Steers & Stripes both made number one, as well: "Only in America" and "The Long Goodbye", the latter of which was written by Irish pop singers Ronan Keating and Paul Brady. After it, the duo charted at number five with "My Heart Is Lost to You" and number 12 with a cover of Kim Richey's "Every River", featuring a backing vocal from Richey.{{cite AV media notes |title=Steers & Stripes |others=Brooks & Dunn |year=2001 |publisher=Arista Nashville |id=67003}} All of these other singles also made the pop charts. "Only in America" was later used by George W. Bush in his 2004 re-election campaign, and again in 2008 by Barack Obama in his campaign. In 2023, Donald Trump took the stage at a campaign rally while the lyric "One could end up going to prison" from "Only in America" played. Trump was facing multiple criminal charges at the time.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Trump Enters Lincoln Dinner to Lyrics About 'Going to Prison'|url=https://www.newsweek.com/trump-enters-lincoln-dinner-lyrics-about-going-prison-1816141|work=Newsweek|location= |access-date=29 July 2023}} Noting that the song was used by both a Republican and a Democratic candidate, Brooks (who wrote the song with Cook and Ronnie Rogers) said that it was "very flattering to know our song crossed parties and potentially inspires all Americans".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/brooks-dunn-comment-on-obamas-use-of-only-in-america-20080829|title=Brooks & Dunn Comment on Obama's Use Of 'Only In America'|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=29 August 2008|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2 July 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://blog.cmt.com/2008-08-29/obama-uses-brooks-dunns-only-in-america-to-close-convention-speech/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080831034913/http://blog.cmt.com/2008-08-29/obama-uses-brooks-dunns-only-in-america-to-close-convention-speech/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 31, 2008|title=Obama Uses Brooks & Dunn's "Only in America" to Close Convention Speech|last=Gilbert|first=Calvin|date=29 August 2008|work=CMT|access-date=2 July 2012}}

This album was generally well received, with the reviews in Allmusic and Country Standard Time noting that the album was more consistent than the previous ones.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r528300|pure_url=yes}}|title=Steers & Stripes review|last=Dinoia|first=Maria Konicki|work=AllMusic|access-date=13 October 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=301|title=Steers & Stripes review|last=Remz|first=Jeffrey B.|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=13 October 2010}} Nash was less favorable, referring to the up-tempos as "retreads", but praising Dunn's voice.

Brooks and Dunn released their first Christmas album in 2002 titled It Won't Be Christmas Without You. Four of its cuts made the country music charts based on seasonal airplay: the title track, "Hangin' 'round the Mistletoe", "Rockin' Little Christmas", and a rendition of "Winter Wonderland". It was followed in early 2003 by the duo's eighth studio album, Red Dirt Road, whose title track became the duo's 18th number one on Billboard. Two more singles were released from it: "You Can't Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl", which spent five weeks in the number-three position, and "That's What She Gets for Loving Me" at number six. On the Hot 100, these songs respectively peaked at 25, 39, and 53. As with Steers & Stripes, Red Dirt Road was certified platinum. The album featured a rock-oriented sound compared to the duo's previous releases.

Erlewine described Red Dirt Road as a concept album in his review of it, saying that its title track and other songs offered a "tribute to their roots and upbringing".{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=red-dirt-road-r646741/review|pure_url=yes}}|title=Red Dirt Road review|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|work=AllMusic|access-date=13 October 2010}} Nash gave the album an A-minus rating, saying that Brooks & Dunn "dig even deeper" on the album; she also referred to the title track as a "gutsy account of the terrible beauty of coming of age".{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/07/18/red-dirt-road/|title=Red Dirt Road review|last=Nash|first=Alanna|date=18 July 2003|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=5 November 2010}} A less favorable review came from Country Standard Time, whose critic Jeffrey B. Remz called it "satisfactory, but not much more".{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=299|title=Red Dirt Road review|last=Remz|first=Jeffrey B.|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=5 November 2010}} Both Nash and Remz compared "You Can't Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl" to the sound of The Rolling Stones.

Arista Nashville released Brooks and Dunn's second greatest-hits package, The Greatest Hits Collection II, in October 2004. 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". Respectively, these cuts peaked at numbers two and one on the country-music charts, as well as 38 and 56 on the Hot 100. It excludes material from Tight Rope.

In August 2005, the duo released the single "Play Something Country". According to Dunn and co-writer Terry McBride, it was inspired by Gretchen Wilson, who was touring with Brooks and Dunn and Big & Rich on the Deuces Wild tour at the time.{{cite journal |last=Horner |first=Marianne |date=10 October 2005 |title=Story Behind the Song | journal=Country Weekly |volume=12 |issue=21 |page=70}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1507652/a-wild-night-with-brooks-dunn.jhtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119130711/http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1507652/a-wild-night-with-brooks-dunn.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 19, 2013|title=A Wild Night With Brooks & Dunn|last=Shelburne|first=Craig|date=15 August 2005|work=CMT|access-date=12 May 2012}} "Play Something Country" was the lead-off to their ninth studio album, Hillbilly Deluxe. Brooks & Dunn co-produced it with Tony Brown, with further production from Mark Wright on "My Heart's Not a Hotel".{{cite AV media notes |title=Hillbilly Deluxe |others=Brooks & Dunn |year=2005|type=CD booklet |publisher=Arista Nashville |id= 708720}} A month after the album's release, "Play Something Country" became the duo's twentieth and final number one on Hot Country Songs, and went to number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album's second single, "Believe", peaked at number eight, also winning the next year's Single of the Year and Song of the Year awards from the Country Music Association. After it was "Building Bridges", with guest vocals from Vince Gill and Sheryl Crow, which peaked at number four. Before the duo released this song, it had been released by co-writer Larry Willoughby, a cousin of country singer Rodney Crowell,{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1503686/crow-gill-to-harmonize-with-brooks-dunn.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607010401/http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1503686/crow-gill-to-harmonize-with-brooks-dunn.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 7, 2011|title=Crow, Gill to Harmonize With Brooks & Dunn|date=8 June 2005|work=CMT|access-date=13 October 2010}} and later by Nicolette Larson.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=hillbilly-deluxe-r786847/review|pure_url=yes}}|title=Steers & Stripes review|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|work=AllMusic|access-date=5 November 2010}} The final release from Hillbilly Deluxe was the title track, which peaked at number 16 on Hot Country Songs. Erlewine gave this album a positive review, saying that it was not "quite as ambitious" as the previous two albums, but "just as satisfying".

Brooks and Dunn began their Long Haul tour in mid-2006, which featured Sugarland and Jack Ingram as opening acts. Of this tour, Brooks said, "They've got a lot of shows under their belt, they're really good at what they do, and they are great performers[…]We want everything about this show from opening act 'til the lights go down to be first class."{{cite web|url=http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,,GAC_26063_4750731,00.html|title=Brooks & Dunn Picky About Opening Acts|date=2 June 2006|work=GAC|access-date=2 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915182958/http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,,GAC_26063_4750731,00.html|archive-date=15 September 2009|url-status=dead}}

File:Brooks & dunn delivers.jpg, August 2009]]

Their 10th studio album, Cowboy Town, was released on October 2, 2007. Its lead-off single "Proud of the House We Built" reached number four on the country charts and 57 on the Hot 100. Following this song were "God Must Be Busy" at number 11 and "Put a Girl in It" at number three. After this song, the duo released "Cowgirls Don't Cry", which they later performed with Reba McEntire at the Country Music Association awards. Following this performance, the song was re-released partway through its chart run with McEntire dubbed into the final chorus.{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=2290|title=Brooks & Dunn release Cowgirls single with Reba|date=13 November 2008|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=13 October 2010}} In early 2009, the song peaked at number two on the country charts. Although not released as a single, the title track spent three weeks on the charts and peaked at number 56.{{cite news|last=Hall|first=Tara|title=Brooks & Dunn plot course for 'Cowboy Town'|url=http://www.soundspike.com/story2/18687/brooks-dunn-plot-course-for-cowboy-town/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203163353/http://www.soundspike.com/story2/18687/brooks-dunn-plot-course-for-cowboy-town/|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2013|access-date=2 July 2012|newspaper=Sound Spike|date=7 April 2009}}{{cite web|title=Cowboy Town - Brooks & Dunn : Awards|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/cowboy-town-mw0000486323/awards|website=AllMusic|access-date=2 July 2012}} Also included on the album is a collaboration with Jerry Jeff Walker on "The Ballad of Jerry Jeff Walker".{{cite magazine|last=Price|first=Deborah Evans|date=6 October 2007|title=Sheriffs of Cowboy Town|magazine=Billboard|page=41|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lQ4EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22cowboy+town%22+%22jerry+jeff+walker%22&pg=PA41}} Cowboy Town was also the name of the duo's 2009 tour, which featured Rodney Atkins and ZZ Top. The tour began on June 6 at the BamaJam festival in Enterprise, Alabama.{{cite web|url=http://www.soundspike.com/story2/18687/brooks-dunn-plot-course-for-cowboy-town/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203163353/http://www.soundspike.com/story2/18687/brooks-dunn-plot-course-for-cowboy-town/|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2013|title=Brooks & Dunn plot course for 'Cowboy Town'|last=Hall|first=Tara|date=7 April 2009|work=Soundspike.com|access-date=2 July 2012}}

Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote, "Brooks & Dunn have crafted these songs[…]with an eye on the middle of the road, and they do it well enough that this music will likely win them that audience yet again."{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/cowboy-town-r1206343/review|title=Cowboy Town review|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|work=AllMusic|access-date=10 May 2012}} Mikael Wood of Entertainment Weekly rated it "B+", saying that "even if the themes on their 11th studio CD are a bit predictable, their muscular riffs and handsome vocal harmonies give the material a boot-scooting vibrancy".{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/10/05/cowboy-town/|title=Cowboy Town review|last=Wood|first=Mikael|date=5 October 2007|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=10 May 2012}}

On August 10, 2009, Brooks and Dunn announced that they would be splitting up after a tour titled The Last Rodeo. According to Brooks, the decision to split was on good terms; he told CMT that Dunn and he are "still good friends", while Dunn said, "We've ended up more like brothers."{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20297722,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816163411/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20297722,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 16, 2009|title=Brooks & Dunn Explain Why They Split|last=Price|first=Deborah Evans|date=13 August 2009|work=People|access-date=21 May 2012}} The duo released its final compilation, #1s… and Then Some, on September 8 of the same year. The album features 28 past hits and two new songs, but again skipping material from Tight Rope.{{cite web|url=http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,3034,GAC_26063_5944439_,00.html|title=Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw CDs Slated|date=1 July 2009|work=Great American Country|access-date=21 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219064727/http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,3034,GAC_26063_5944439_,00.html|archive-date=19 February 2012|url-status=dead}} Both of these new songs, "Indian Summer" and "Honky Tonk Stomp" (featuring guest vocals from Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top), peaked at number 16 on the country-music charts.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=brooks & dunn|chart=Country Songs}}|title=Brooks & Dunn chart history|magazine=Billboard|access-date=8 May 2012}} On May 23, 2010, CBS aired a tribute show presented by the Academy of Country Music titled The Last Rodeo, on which various country music stars performed Brooks & Dunn songs while the duo received a Milestone Award. The academy donated proceeds from the concert to help victims of the 2010 Tennessee floods.{{cite web|url=http://voices.yahoo.com/acm-presents-brooks-dunn-last-rodeo-tour-6089862.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209213300/http://voices.yahoo.com/acm-presents-brooks-dunn-last-rodeo-tour-6089862.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 February 2013|title=ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn -- the Last Rodeo Tour|last=Myers|first=Megan|date=27 May 2010|work=Yahoo! Music|access-date=2 July 2012}} Brooks and Dunn performed their last concert together at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on September 2, 2010, with proceeds from the concert benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/956528/brooks-dunn-end-20-year-career-at-nashville-show|title=Brooks & Dunn End 20-Year Career at Nashville Show|last=King|first=Caitlin|date=3 September 2010|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2 July 2012}}

Both members stayed with Arista Nashville as solo artists after the split. Dunn released his self-titled solo album in June 2011,{{cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/album/ronnie-dunn-r2185824|title=Ronnie Dunn review|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|work=AllMusic|access-date=8 May 2012}} which produced the top 40 country hits "Bleed Red", "Cost of Livin'" and "Let the Cowboy Rock".{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=ronnie dunn|chart=Country Songs}}|title=Ronnie Dunn chart history|magazine=Billboard|access-date=8 May 2012}} Dunn announced via Facebook on June 7, 2012, that he had exited Arista Nashville.{{cite web|url=http://www.theboot.com/2012/06/08/ronnie-dunn-sony-music-nashville/|title=Ronnie Dunn Parts Ways With Sony Music Nashville|last=Duvall|first=Erin|date=8 June 2012|work=The Boot|access-date=8 June 2012}} Restaurant chain Cracker Barrel reissued the album in late May with two bonus tracks; proceeds from the reissue benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=6388|title=Dunn releases special CD|date=21 May 2012|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=28 June 2012}} In late 2013, Dunn sang duet vocals with Kelly Clarkson on a cover of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" from her Christmas album Wrapped in Red. Dunn's second solo album, Peace, Love, and Country Music, was released in 2014,{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/ronnie-dunn-peace-love-and-country-music-album/|title=Album Spotlight: Ronnie Dunn, 'Peace Love and Country Music'|last=Dukes|first=Billy|date=April 10, 2014|work=Taste of Country|access-date=17 June 2017}} followed by Tattooed Heart in 2016 on Valory Music Group's Nash Icon label. The latter features Brooks on the single "Damn Drunk".{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/tattooed-heart-mw0002981133|title=Tattooed Heart|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|work=AllMusic|access-date=17 June 2017}} Brooks released the solo single "New to This Town",{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-615/504541/kix-brooks-new-single-a-freedom-of-sorts|title=Kix Brooks' New Single a 'Freedom of Sorts'|last=Dauphin|first=Chuck|date=17 February 2012|magazine=Billboard|access-date=8 May 2012}} which features Joe Walsh on slide guitar.{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/kix-brooks-new-to-this-town-lyrics/|title=Kix Brooks, 'New to This Town' (Feat. Joe Walsh) – Lyrics Uncovered|last=Conaway|first=Alanna|work=Taste of Country|date=25 April 2012 |access-date=8 May 2012}} Brooks' first Arista album, also titled New to This Town, was released in September 2012.{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/kix-brooks-new-to-this-town-release-date/|title=Kix Brooks to Release Debut Album September 11|last=Conaway|first=Alanna|work=Taste of Country|date=5 July 2012 |access-date=15 July 2012}}

On December 3, 2014, Brooks & Dunn were announced to be reuniting to perform a series of concerts in Las Vegas with Reba McEntire in mid to late 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/article/brooks-dunn-reba-reunite-las-vegas-show|title=Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire to Headline New Show in Las Vegas|last=Anderson|first=Danielle|date=4 December 2014|work=People|access-date=16 December 2014}} In 2016, they were selected as some of the 30 artists to perform on "Forever Country", a mash-up track featuring the artists performing a medley of "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "On the Road Again", and "I Will Always Love You", which was released in celebration of 50 years of the CMA Awards.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/scenes-cmas-historic-music-video-featuring-30-country/story?id=42129062|title=30 Country Music Stars Join Forces for Historic CMA Music Video|date=22 September 2016|work=ABC News}}

In February 2019, the duo announced a new album called Reboot, which features re-recordings of their previous singles with guest vocals from contemporary country-music artists. In advance of the album's release, they issued two of their tracks - a version of "Brand New Man" with Luke Combs, and "Believe" featuring Kane Brown. In addition, Brooks and Dunn announced a concert in Dallas, alongside their Las Vegas residency, as well as a March 2019 appearance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.{{cite web | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/brooks-and-dunn-reboot-album-luke-combs-791901/ | title=Brooks & Dunn Ready 'Reboot' Album With Kane Brown, Luke Combs | work=Rolling Stone Country | date=February 8, 2019 | access-date=February 11, 2019}} Reboot was released on April 5, 2019.{{cite magazine |last1=Reuter |first1=Annie |title=Brooks & Dunn Get a 'Reboot' With the Help Of Country Music's Up-and-Coming Talent |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/8505609/brooks-dunn-interview-reboot |magazine=Billboard |access-date=5 April 2019}}

In 2019, the duo featured in season 16 of The Voice as battle advisors as a part of Team Blake.{{cite web |last1=Despres |first1=Tricia |title=Brooks & Dunn Join 'The Voice' as Team Blake Advisors |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/brooks-and-dunn-the-voice-advisors-team-blake-2019/ |website=Taste of Country |date=7 February 2019 |access-date=5 April 2019 |language=en}}

Brooks & Dunn announced a sequel album to Reboot in 2024, titled Reboot II. It includes re-recordings of their previous hit singles with other country music artists such as Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, and Megan Moroney. Unlike the previous project, it also includes collaborations with rock band Halestorm and blues singer Marcus King. The album was released on November 15, 2024.{{cite web | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/country/brooks-dunn-reboot-ii-morgan-wallen-lainey-wilson-jelly-roll-1235775254/ | title=Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson and More Join Brooks & Dunn for ‘Reboot II’: ‘It Was the Most Fun We’ve Ever Had,’ Brooks Says (Exclusive) | publisher=Billboard | date=September 16, 2024 | accessdate=September 16, 2024 | author=Melinda Newman}}

File:Brooksanddunn2010.jpg awards]]

Brooks and Dunn have also contributed to several soundtracks and compilation albums. In 1994, they recorded "Ride 'em High, Ride 'em Low" for the soundtrack to the 1994 film 8 Seconds, and a cover of "Corrine, Corrina" in collaboration with Asleep at the Wheel for a tribute album to Bob Wills. Both of these cuts peaked at number 73 on the country charts, while "Rock My World" was climbing. In early September 1994, the duo collaborated with Johnny Cash on a rendition of his song "Folsom Prison Blues" for the album Red Hot + Country,{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=red-hot--country-r204379|pure_url=yes}}|title=Red Hot + Country|work=AllMusic|access-date=12 October 2010}} a charity album made by the Red Hot Organization to benefit AIDS awareness. Also that year, they covered "Best of My Love" on the Eagles tribute album Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/r188406|title=Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles|work=AllMusic|access-date=13 May 2012}} They covered Bob Seger's "Against the Wind" for the soundtrack to the cartoon King of the Hill; this rendition charted at number 55 in late 1999 based on unsolicited airplay. They also recorded "Keep On Swinging", which Brooks wrote with Five for Fighting, for the soundtrack to the 2006 animated film Everyone's Hero.{{cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/song/keep-on-swinging-t9106820|title=Keep On Swinging|work=AllMusic|access-date=21 May 2012}} Finally, they collaborated with Mac Powell on "Over the Next Hill" from the soundtrack to the 2008 film Billy: The Early Years,{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=4021|title=Billy: The Early Years review|last=MacIntosh|first=Dan|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=8 May 2012}} and took the song to number 55 on the country charts.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/billy-the-early-years-of-billy-graham-r1426561/charts-awards/billboard-single|title=Billy: the Early Years chart performance|work=AllMusic|access-date=8 May 2012}}

Dunn has sung guest vocals on other artists' songs, including Lee Roy Parnell's mid-1994 cover of the Hank Williams song "Take These Chains from My Heart" (from Parnell's album On the Road),{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r190076|pure_url=yes}}|title=On the Road review|last=Mansfield|first=Brian|work=AllMusic|access-date=6 November 2010}} "Try Me" on Trisha Yearwood's 2005 album Jasper County,{{cite news|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60F16FE3A550C708DDDA00894DD404482|title=Critics' Choice: New CD's|last=Sanineh|first=Kelefa|date=13 September 2005|work=The New York Times|access-date=8 May 2012}} "Raise the Barn" on Keith Urban's 2006 album Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing,{{cite AV media notes |title=Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing |others=Keith Urban |year=2006 |type=CD |publisher=Capitol Records |id=77087}} and Ashley Monroe's 2006 single "I Don't Want To", which reached number 37 on the country charts.Whitburn, p. 282 He also sang duet vocals with Carlene Carter on a cover of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash's "Jackson" for the 2007 tribute album Anchored in Love: A Tribute to June Carter Cash.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/anchored-in-love-a-tribute-to-june-carter-cash-r1059091/review|title=Anchored in Love: A Tribute to June Carter Cash|last=Tamarkin|first=Jeff|work=AllMusic|access-date=8 May 2012}} In 2011, he covered Gary Stewart's "She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)" for the soundtrack of the film Country Strong,{{cite web|url=http://www.theboot.com/2010/09/28/country-strong-soundtrack-track-listing|title='Country Strong' Soundtrack Details Revealed|last=Conaway|first=Alanna|date=28 September 2010|work=The Boot|access-date=14 December 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.theboot.com/2010/09/29/ronnie-dunn-solo-album/|title=Ronnie Dunn Working on Solo Album|last=Horner|first=Marianne|date=29 September 2010|work=The Boot|access-date=14 December 2010}} and contributed duet vocals to Cledus T. Judd's parody of "God Must Be Busy", titled "Garth Must Be Busy".{{cite journal|last=Neal|first=Chris|date=2009-07-06|title=Album reviews|journal=Country Weekly|volume=16|issue=21|pages=50|issn=1074-3235}}

Dunn and Dean Dillon co-wrote Shenandoah's 1994 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.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=M85eAAAAIBAJ&pg=5437,696484&dq=ronnie-dunn+darned-if-i-don-t&hl=en|title=George Strait offers up the real thing|last=Carlson|first=Mia|date=3 February 1995|work=Lewiston Morning Tribune|access-date=8 May 2012}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Goodnight Sweetheart |others=David Kersh |year=1996 |type=CD |publisher=Curb Records |id=77848}} He also co-wrote "Don't Leave" on Toby Keith's 2003 album Shock'n Y'all with Keith,{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/shockn-yall-mw0000208598|title=Shock'n Y'all|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|work=AllMusic|access-date=22 May 2013}} and Reba McEntire's 2010 single "I Keep On Loving You" with Terry McBride.{{cite web|url=http://www.theboot.com/2010/02/01/reba-mcentire-keep-on-loving-you-lyrics/|title=Reba McEntire Keeps on Relating to Songs ... and Fans|last=Hackett|first=Vernell|work=The Boot|date=February 2010 |access-date=2 July 2012}} Brooks & Dunn co-wrote "Steady as She Goes" on Wade Hayes' debut album Old Enough to Know Better{{cite AV media notes |title=Old Enough to Know Better |others=Wade Hayes |year=1995 |publisher=Columbia Records |id=CK-66412}} and "Our Time Is Coming" (originally an album cut from Hard Workin' Man) on his second album On a Good Night,{{cite AV media notes |title=On a Good Night |others=Wade Hayes |year=1996 |publisher=Columbia Records |id=CK-67563}} while Dunn co-produced his 2001 album Highways & Heartaches.{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/59370848.html?dids=59370848:59370848&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+01%2C+2000&author=Brian+Mansfield&pub=USA+TODAY&desc=COUNTRY&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719164654/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/59370848.html?dids=59370848:59370848&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+01,+2000&author=Brian+Mansfield&pub=USA+TODAY&desc=COUNTRY&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 19, 2012|title=COUNTRY|last=Mansfield|first=Brian|date=1 September 2000|work=USA Today|access-date=8 May 2012}}

In January 2006, Brooks succeeded Bob Kingsley as the host of the radio countdown show American Country Countdown, while Kingsley moved to his own show, Bob Kingsley's Country Top 40.{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CO&s_site=charlotte&p_multi=CO&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10EBE8EBCE027CA0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Q&A, KIX BROOKS ADDS DJ TO HIS RESUME 'AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN' TAPS HALF OF STAR DUO AS NEW HOST|date=25 December 2005|work=The Charlotte Observer|access-date=13 May 2012}} Brooks received an Academy of Country Music nomination for National On-Air Radio Personality in 2010,{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=3747|title=Kix Brooks among ACM radio finalists|date=4 February 2010|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=13 May 2012}} and again in 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=5813|title=Kix Brooks has Personality|date=18 October 2011|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=13 May 2012}} Later that same year, he made his acting debut in an independent film called Thriftstore Cowboy.{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=4761|title=Kix Brooks turns to acting|date=18 November 2010|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=13 May 2012}} In 2011, he starred in a second film, The Last Ride.{{cite web|url=http://www.theboot.com/2011/03/04/kix-brooks-the-last-ride-movie/|title=Kix Brooks Plays Cowboy, Bank Robber in Upcoming Films|last=Thompson|first=Gayle|date=4 March 2011|work=The Boot|access-date=13 May 2012}}

Steve Huey of Allmusic contrasts Brooks' and Dunn's voices, saying that Dunn "was the quietly intense singer with the soulful voice, while Kix Brooks played the part of the high-energy showman". He also describes their sound as "a winning formula of rambunctious, rocked-up honky tonk with punchy, danceable beats [alternated with] smooth, pop-tinged ballads". In the book The New Generation of County Music Stars, David Dicaire describes Dunn as "possess[ing] a soulful voice with a quiet intensity" and a "traditional country singer", while calling Brooks "the opposite to Dunn's musical personality", "a high-energy showman" and "the perfect accompaniment to his partner".{{cite book|last=Dicaire|first=David|title=The New Generation of Country Music Stars: Biographies of 50 Artists Born After 1940|date=21 November 2014|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ce2IuErOokkC&q=%22lost+and+found%22+%22kix+brooks%22&pg=PA137|publisher=McFarland|page=137|isbn=9780786485598}} Brooks sang lead on "Lost and Found", "Rock My World", "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone",{{cite magazine|last=Jessen|first=Wade|date=19 August 1995|title=Country Corner|magazine=Billboard|page=26|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xgsEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22lost+and+found%22+%22kix+brooks%22&pg=PA26}} "Mama Don't Get Dressed Up for Nothing",{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB0508B58B1DB1B&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=The Greatest Hits Collection review|last=Dickinson|first=Chris|date=31 October 1997|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|access-date=8 May 2012}} "Why Would I Say Goodbye",{{cite magazine|last=Evans|first=Deborah Price|date=15 March 1997|title=Single reviews|magazine=Billboard|page=64|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aA4EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22why+would+i+say+goodbye%22+%22kix+brooks%22&pg=PA64}} and "South of Santa Fe".{{cite magazine|last=Price|first=Deborah Evans|date=1 May 1999|title=Single reviews|magazine=Billboard|page=22|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bw0EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22south+of+santa+fe%22+%22kix+brooks%22&pg=PA22}}

Michael McCall of New Country magazine attributed Brooks & Dunn's success in the 1990s to a rise of upstart duos throughout the early-mid 1990s, as very few two-person acts in country music existed after the breakup of the Judds in 1991. He noted that in 1993, the Academy of Country Music had only four acts instead of five in the Vocal Duo of the Year category, and two of the four nominees were not signed to a record label at the time. By 1994, McCall stated that several more duos had been formed in response, mostly consisting of male songwriters, such as Turner Nichols, Archer/Park, and Orrall & Wright. McCall also thought the renewed interest in duos helped to draw newfound attention to the few existing duos who had lost popularity after the beginning of the 1990s, such as the Bellamy Brothers and Sweethearts of the Rodeo.{{cite journal | title=The numbers game: There's more to musical duos than meets the eye | author=Michael McCall | journal=New Country | pages=42–47 | date=April 1994}}

In 2015, Brooks received the inaugural CMA Foundation "Humanitarian Award" as a reflection of his dedication to organizations such as Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, The Monroe Harding Children's Home, and the CMA Foundation. He 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cmaworld.com/kix-brooks-honored-as-first-recipient-of-the-cma-foundation-humanitarian-award/|title=Kix Brooks Honored as First Recipient of the CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award|date=March 3, 2015|website=CMAWorld|access-date=May 21, 2018|archive-date=May 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522041514/http://www.cmaworld.com/kix-brooks-honored-as-first-recipient-of-the-cma-foundation-humanitarian-award/|url-status=dead}}

For several years, Dunn's annual "Rock The Barn" event at his home near Nashville raised money for charities such as Gilda's Club and the St. Thomas Breast Cancer Center.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1480516/brooks-dunn-rock-the-barn/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522042007/http://www.cmt.com/news/1480516/brooks-dunn-rock-the-barn/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 22, 2018|title=Brooks & Dunn Rock the Barn|date=November 19, 2003|website=CMT}}

In the liner notes to each of their studio albums, Brooks & Dunn wrote short stories about Slim & Howdy, fictionalized cowboy versions of themselves.{{cite web|url=http://www2.tricities.com/news/2008/dec/14/slim_howdy-ar-250071/|title=Slim & Howdy review|last=Netherland|first=Tom|date=14 December 2008|work=TriCities.com|access-date=14 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308162354/http://www2.tricities.com/news/2008/dec/14/slim_howdy-ar-250071/|archive-date=8 March 2012|url-status=dead}} The duo worked with Bill Fitzhugh in late 2008 to write a book titled The Adventures of Slim and Howdy.{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=RO&p_theme=ro&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=123777CB6D531A88&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Rollicking with two country musicians|date=21 September 2008|work=The Roanoke Times|access-date=14 December 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://hamptonroads.com/2008/05/brooks-dunn-still-live-hardworkin-reputation|title=Brooks & Dunn still live up to hard-workin' reputation|last=Sculley|first=Alan|date=8 May 2008|work=Hampton Roads.com|access-date=14 December 2010}}

{{Main|Brooks & Dunn discography}}

• Brand New Man (1991)
• Hard Workin' Man (1993)
• Waitin' on Sundown (1994)
• Borderline (1996)
• If You See Her (1998)
• Tight Rope (1999)
• Steers & Stripes (2001)
• Red Dirt Road (2003)
• Hillbilly Deluxe (2005)
• Cowboy Town (2007)
• Reboot (2019)
• Reboot II (2024)

• The Greatest Hits Collection (1997)
• Super Hits (1999)
• The Greatest Hits Collection II (2004)
• Playlist: The Very Best of Brooks & Dunn (2008)
• #1's... and Then Some (2009)

• It Won't Be Christmas Without You (2002)

{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Brooks & Dunn}}

Brooks & Dunn are tied with Vince Gill for most Country Music Association awards in history with 18. They have the second-most Academy of Country Music awards in history with 30, only surpassed by Miranda Lambert with 35. They have won 2 Grammy Awards, both for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.

{{Reflist|3}}

• {{Official website|http://www.brooks-dunn.com/}}

{{Brooks & Dunn}}

{{Academy of Country Music Award for Entertainer of the Year}}

{{American Music Award for Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group}}

{{CMA Duo of the Year}}

{{CMA Entertainer of the Year}}

{{2010s Country Music Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

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Category:American male musical duos

Category:Country music groups from Tennessee

Category:American country music duos

Category:Arista Nashville artists

Category:Grammy Award winners

Category:Sony Music Publishing artists

Category:Musical groups established in 1990

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2010

Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2015

Category:Musical duos from Tennessee

Category:Country Music Hall of Fame inductees