With two brand new hits, plus a third never before on CD, Brooks & Dunn‘s 30-song, double-disc #1s … and then some will be in stores this Tuesday! Packed with a whopping 23 number-one singles, and then some, the September 8th release is the biggest collection ever for B&D fans, reaching back to such early classics as “Neon Moon” and “Brand New Man” all the way to more recent favorites like “Only in America” and “Believe,” as well as the new hits “Indian Summer” and “Honky Tonk Stomp.” In celebrating the album release, Kix and Ronnie sat down to share some recollections of the past 20 years of music-making. When it all began, they never envisioned the amazing two decades ahead. (AUDIO INFO BELOW)
- Look for the guys on album release day, September 8th, when they make an appearance on NBC’s Today show, singing their gorgeous, gospel-tinged hit, “Believe,” backed up by the Boys Choir of Harlem!
- In addition to two new songs with “Honky Tonk Stomp” and “Indian Summer,” the hit-filled #1s … and then some also includes the never-before-on-CD version of “Cowgirls Don’t Cry,” featuring Reba McEntire!
Kix Brooks says that neither he nor Ronnie Dunn ever envisioned that they would enjoy a 20-year career together. (:38)
“It’s really interesting, you know, how for 20 years we’ve managed to put one foot in front of the other and found our way, whatever that is, with each other, and it’s just succeeded so far beyond anything either one of us could have ever dreamed of. We thought, havin’ been in the music business a long time at the point we met, this might be a year or two kind of career. Maybe we’ll do a record together, and who knows? Something good might come of it. But to think that we’ve been travelin’ for 20 years together and been able to achieve some things so far out of reach for what we thought we could achieve.”
Ronnie Dunn says that being together all these years has helped him and Kix in ways that some solo acts might benefit from. (:36)
“There are pros and cons to bein’ in a group, duo. Along the way, I think it’s been an asset in many ways, especially in the early years. Bein’ able to play off one another and just from, you know, exhaustion on tour and, you know, walkin’ on stage and pullin’ one another through it and, you know, bein’ cheerleaders for one another all along throughout the process, in songwriting and everything else. I think it helped. I think even a solo artist it wouldn’t hurt to have a coach out there with you or a buddy sometimes. I think a lot of people could use that.”
Brooks & Dunn talk about some of the cool experiences they’ve enjoyed as a duo over the years. (:25)
Ronnie: “We just got to be around stuff that we normally wouldn’t, like the Olympics and the stuff at the White House and, you know, those experiences were pretty special. You just…”
Kix: “Richard Petty give us drivin’ lessons, got to play golf with Arnold Palmer…”
Ronnie: “Yeah.”
Kix: “…met presidents on both sides.”
Ronnie: “Earnhardt, gettin’ to know him…”
Kix: “Yeah.”
Ronnie: “…hangin’ with him a little bit. Stuff like that. You just, you sit down, and I’m gonna wear some grandkids out on the front porch someday.”