World renown American chart topping country music duo Brooks & Dunn, will be hanging up their ten gallons hats after their Last Rodeo Tour. Sadly, after a host of amazing performances over a twenty year period the duo have decided to call it quits. Brooks and Dunn broke the news of disbanding in a brief and straight to the point message they place on their official Web site. Stating that “after making 20 years of music and riding this trail together, we have agreed as a duo that it’s time to call it a day.” He further added that the ride had been everything and more than they could ever have dreamed and that one should not believe any rumours and just accept that it’s just time to stop and nothing more.
Rumours abound, but they are asking fans to take no notice. There is no underlying reason for end of the duo. The fabulous duo will release the compilation “And Then Some” on September 8. Brooks & Dunn banded together back in 1990 and in August 1991, they released their debut record “Brand New man.” They’ve since remained a top fixture as far as country music charts are concerned. Throughout their 20 year career they have been the name on a myriad of country music lovers lips. Brooks & Dunn have recorded 23 chart topping singles and have over 80 awards to their name. Everyone will recall their famous “Boot Scootin’ Boogie, My Maria and Only In America.” In fact “Only In America” was used in presidential campaigns for George Bush and Barack Obama.
Brooks & Dunn have done it all, tried a diverse range of styles, tempos and so forth. It seems beyond belief that these amazing entertainers will walk away from music completely. To fans it is unthinkable and so sad. But a host of acclaimed musicians resurface after a while so one can only hope they get back together again some time in the near future. We all know that a great number of recording artists return to the limelight after a break-up only to be even better than they initially were. Just look at the Eagles, 14 years after they initially split up they reformed and released their first studio album in almost 30 years. That little effort had them topping record charts globally and had them on a lengthy, very lucrative tour indeed. Many people tend to think that Brooks & Dunn were taken for granted, basically thinking they would be around forever.
Fans in America and further a field are now reeling in shock. They will certainly be taking a sizable chunk of country music history with them, that’s a certainty. Their very last performance occurred on September 2nd 2010 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. When Brooks & Dunn first came into the world of country music, they were up against legends such as Paul Overstreet, Diamond Rio, Patty Loveless, Alabama, Ricky Van Shelton, The Oak Ridge Boys and Travis Tritt yet they certainly held their own. Now the only country artists who are still charting from that era are Reba, Alan Jackson and George Strait.
Looking back in time, one can see the irony in the fact that ‘Boot Scootin’ Boogie” had been recorded previously by the group “Asleep At The Wheel.” It just goes to show how unique Brooks & Dunn were. Brooks & Dunn dominated the country music charts for so long it will take quite some time to get used to the fact that they will no longer be around. Ronnie Dunn with his beautiful voice will be miss by all, what an amazing lead singer he is. Kik Brooks, you did such a wonderful job as a backup singer, guitarist, lead singer as well and a songwriter. Fans, don’t wallow in sadness, remember the good times and pray that they will return one day.