It is almost a year since another piece of country music history was made.
On the second of September 2010 Multi Award winning duo Brooks and Dunn (Kix and Ronnie) decided after twenty years at the top of the hitmakers ladder that they would quit their duo association and revert back to their solo interests.
On their website in 2009 they announced, “After 20 years of making music and riding this trail together, we have agreed as a duo that it’s time to call it a day. This ride has been everything and more than we could ever have dreamed …. We owe it all to you, the fans. If you hear rumors, don’t believe them, it’s just time. We will release our “#1′s and Then Some” on September 8th and come see you all one more time in 2010, with The Last Rodeo Tour”.
Ronnie Dunn has persued his writing and singing career whilst Kix Brooks opted to work in radio and presents his own show in the States.
Ronnie Dunn who has twiced been named as the BMI Country Songwriter Of The Year has just released his first solo album since the split, simply entitled ‘Ronnie Dunn.
The first and second single ‘Bleed Red’ and ‘Cost Of Livin’ have already gained prominent positions in the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart and having had a listen to the entire album, I am certain there is solo number one hits on the way.
He blends a thoughtful mix of gentle ballad style offerings with raunchy hard hitting country rockers that perhaps reflects a good part of musical his career so far.
As he explains,” When I started this album, right from the first song, every track that I wrote or co-wrote or picked was autobiographical in a way. I began with a song called ‘Singer In A Cowboy Band’…which is definately a big part of my story, and went on from there, and on and on”.
In total the album perhaps expresses thoughts , feelings and stories that as a duo he could not do.
From now on all roads lead on to a successfull solo recording career which may bring him as many awards and accolades as he has already experienced as part of one of the greatest country music duos in history.
If this first release is anything to go by, he will have no problems at all.
It’s a first ever solo album release from a first class artist, and deserves a place in your CD collection.
Ronnie Dunn Ronnie Dunn Humphead Records Cat No HUMP109