E534 Brooks & Dunn

Brooks & Dunn, the iconic country music duo, owe their partnership to a setup by a mutual friend who foresaw the magic of their collaboration, despite their initial reluctance. Over time, they forged a dynamic, low-conflict working relationship that allowed them to become one of the most enduring acts in country music history.

Brooks and Dunn were paired together by a mutual friend, Tim DuBois, who saw potential in their songwriting collaboration

The story of how Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks joined forces begins with a meal initiated by Tim DuBois. DuBois invited both musicians to lunch, convinced they could form a successful pairing. During this initial meeting, Brooks and Dunn were uncertain about teaming up, as they did not see the logic in working together and were metaphorically "growling across the table at each other."

However, they quickly composed several hit songs together, including "Brand New Man" and "Neon Moon", kickstarting their long-lasting partnership

Despite their initial doubts, Brooks and Dunn's songwriting chemistry became evident when they rapidly penned a series of tracks that would catapult them to fame. Writing "Brand New Man" on a Thursday and "Next Broken Heart" on the following Friday, Dunn also brought his solo works "Neon Moon" and "Boot Scootin' Boogie" into the partnership.

Ronnie Dunn's prior experience, writing hits on his own back in Oklahoma, brought a unique essence to the duo. It was a testament to his songwriting prowess in an era when co-writing in Nashville was the norm. These early successful collaborations laid the foundation for a partnership that would resonate with fans for decades to come.

Despite their lack of prior familiarity, Brooks and Dunn developed a close yet functional working relationship over their decades-long career

The collaboration between Brooks and Dunn might not have been expected, but their ability to meld their talents without major conflicts was key to their longevity.

They were able to maintain a productive dynamic without raising their voices or having major conflicts, eve ...

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn share intimate stories about their interactions and friendships with country music icons such as Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, as well as Merle Haggard.

Brooks and Dunn had meaningful encounters and friendships with icons like Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash

Ronnie Dunn speaks of Johnny Cash as initially intimidating but reveals himself to be funny and youthful when one gets to know him. Dunn's connection to Cash was personal, involving his wife, Janine, who had previously been connected to Cash through her first husband who had built the car from Cash's song "One Piece at a Time."

The Cashes took Brooks and Dunn under their wing early on, providing encouragement and advice about the unpredictable nature of the music industry

Meeting the Cashes had a profound impact on both Brooks and Dunn. June Carter Cash offered a place to live for Dunn's wife when Dunn was just starting in the music business, reflecting her supportive nature. However, June also warned Janine about the fleeting success in the music industry and the often tumultuous lives of country artists she referred to as "the wild boys."

Dunn recalls how June drove Janine in her new blue Rolls Royce to give her a tough talk — the "riot act" about the harsh realities of the music business and warned that success might strain their relationship. Still, despite the stark warnings, Dunn notes that Johnny and June were tremendously supportive of them.

Brooks and Dunn were granted rare access to the Cash family's personal life, including witnessing June's tough love approach with Johnny during his struggles with addiction

On a more personal note, Dunn recounts an incident where Johnny Cash was on furlough from rehab, and how June was steadfast in ensuring that Cash did not manipulate the situation to avoid going back. The no-nonsense attitude of June was visible when she directed Dunn and Janine to escort Johnny to the hospital to verify his ailment. When Johnny's doctor turned out to be in rehab too, it exemplified the complexity of his addiction struggles.

June's assertiveness and tough love were further underscored when Dunn mentions being present during June Carter Cash's heart attack, indicating that their relationship with the Cashes extended to the most intense and personal of moments.

Other music legends like Merle Haggard left lasting impressions on Brooks and Dunn through their unconventional collaborations and interactions

Haggard's unique personality left an indelible mark on Brooks and Dunn.

Haggard challenged Brooks a ...

Brooks and Dunn share their tales and insights accrued from years on the road, painting a picture of the evolution of their legendary partnership from humble beginnings to taking the country music scene by storm.

Brooks and Dunn's early days of playing small clubs and bars built camaraderie and a deep appreciation for their eventual success

The duo's roots in honky-tonks and bars shaped their approach to performance and set the foundation for their success. Despite their manager's initial advice, Ronnie Dunn emphasized the necessity of performing in small venues to tighten their band's performances for larger crowds. Kix Brooks reflected on playing in clubs where a sparse parking lot signified their early days, contrasting sharply with packed venues in the years to follow. These small venues, described as having an "Animal House" atmosphere, allowed them to experiment without the pressure of a large audience. Their humble beginnings and gradual rise to success contributed to their strong camaraderie and their deep appreciation for their success.

The duo relished the raucous, improvisational nature of performing in intimate venues before hitting it big

Brooks and Dunn recall the wild and energetic atmosphere of their early shows, where Kix Brooks says they couldn't "screw up too bad" because the environment was so fired up. The unpredictable and spontaneous nature of these early performances helped the duo build a resilience and adaptability that would serve them well in their future careers.

The duo encountered a range of memorable characters and incidents while traversing the country on tour buses over the years

Tour buses were not only a mode of transportation for Brooks and Dunn but also a setting for chaos, camaraderie, and humorous anecdotes. The often "Animal House" conditions on the bus, shared with crew and even merchandise, are fondly remembered for their humorous and disorderly nature. They recall a crew member nicknamed "Fred Sanford" for his habit of collecting items from truck stops that led to noisy clutter. Additionally, they share a particularly memorable tale of being stranded during a snowstorm in Canada.

From dealing with eccentric opening acts to managing the antics of their own touring crew, Brooks and Dunn accumulated a trove of humorous and surprising stories

Beyond the wild times on tour, Brooks and Dunn also shared moments from special experiences, such as Kix Brooks' foreign escapade rescuing a distressed French au pair from a Greyhound bus station. They remembered jokes about the rough environment there, complete with people "testing pills on each other" and someone ...

Brooks and Dunn, though best known for their standout country music careers, have embraced other creative outlets and entrepreneurial pursuits, which have allowed them to branch out beyond their musical roots.

Beyond their core country music careers, both Brooks and Dunn explored other creative outlets and entrepreneurial pursuits

Kix Brooks pursued acting opportunities, including co-starring in a Western film and supporting his son's screenwriting ambitions in Hollywood

Kix Brooks has expressed a strong desire to pursue acting, leveraging some theater experience from his college days, and seeking out opportunities in cinema. Brooks mentioned that the constant touring for 20 years made it challenging to commit to filming schedules. Nonetheless, he managed to capitalise on his interests by reaching out to a friend, William Marsh, for a role that escalated into a co-starring opportunity alongside Ernie Hudson in a Western film.

Brooks also takes pride in his son’s screenwriting career. His son, after studying film at Vanderbilt University, moved to Los Angeles with dreams of making it in Hollywood and is now writing movies for Hallmark, a testament to the family’s artistic endeavors branching into various strands of the entertainment industry.

Ronnie Dunn discovered a passion for photography, collaborating with a professional photographer to document his travels and ranching lifestyle

On the other hand, Ronnie Dunn has indulged in photography following a collaboration with a friend who spent 25 years as a photographer for Sports Illustrated. For one to two years, they traveled together, capturing moments from shine rodeos to the natural wonders of the Galapagos. Dunn, taking up this art, shares that he doesn't sell his prints, showcasing his endeavor in photography as a passion rather than a commercial enterprise. Remarkably, he even offers to give one of his prints to the host.

The duo's interests and activities outside of music helped them maintain balance and perspective during the intense demands of their music careers

Exploring new creative mediums and hobbies provided an outlet for Brooks and Dunn to relieve stress and find fulfillment beyond the stage

The exp ...