by Marla Hansen

Created on: September 07, 2010

Fans everywhere are having a hard time believing that the twenty year reign of one of Country Music’s most popular duos, Brooks and Dunn, has come to an end. Much like an amicable divorce, the country star greats simply stated when asked why now, “It’s just time to call it a day.” There were no irreconcilable differences or other noteworthy reasons given, much to the chagrin of the ever present tabloids looking for blood. It was simply time. Brooks and Dunn confronted the all too real possibility of rumors swirling over their breakup. “Don’t believe them,” said Ronnie Dunn. “There have been rumors about us since the beginning. They just aren’t true.”

When the country favorites started out in the music business over twenty years ago, it was not as a duo but as solo song men looking for that big break. Then Arista Nashville executive, Tim DuBois, brought the two together as a duo. From there on in, it was a fast climb to the top of the charts for the pair including twenty-three number one hits.

The first song Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn would ever sing together, Brand New Man, also turned out to be the last song performed together. On September 2nd, 2010, the final night of their Last Rodeo Tour at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, the country duo bid farewell to their fans and thanked the country music industry at the sold-out show by donating the nights proceeds to the Country Music Hall of Fame. After joking about the split and pushing each other onstage, much like brothers, they walked offstage together for the last time.

So, now that the split is final, what’s next for the pair individually? Well, Ronnie Dunn has been seen on the racing circuit lately enjoying one of his long-time loves of driving the courses. When asked if that’s his next career move, he denies it and says he thinks he will stick to singing. So, does that mean a possible solo career? Only time will tell. As for Kix Brooks, he is looking forward to spending his time in the vineyards he owns with three other investors. When asked by CNN if his investment in Arrington Vineyards had anything to do with the breakup, Brooks answered, “It does give you something to look forward to, but yeah, that was the plan. When you've got a hillbilly band, unless you're Willie Nelson, it's probably not going to last forever. When I'm 70 years old, it'll be really great to come out here, and play in these fields, and check on these grapes, and check on this wine and see how it's doin'.”

No matter what these two individually great music stars decide to do with their futures, it was fun while it lasted. Fans everywhere are sure to be singing one of Brooks and Dunns hits, Missing You, for a long time.

Learn more about this author, Marla Hansen.
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