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Introduction
In a heartfelt and revealing conversation, country music legends Brooks & Dunn have opened up about how their relationship has changed over the decades — from business partners to something much deeper.
Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, the duo that defined the ’90s country sound, first joined forces in 1990. Although both were solo artists before being paired by Arista Records, their chemistry was instant — at least musically. Personally, however, it took time.
“We weren’t instant best friends,” Brooks admitted. “We had respect for each other’s talent, but we were very different people with different ways of doing things.”
For years, that difference meant they kept a professional distance. “There were times we didn’t even speak much offstage,” Ronnie Dunn recalled. “We’d show up, play the show, and go our separate ways. But the music always kept us together.”
Over time, especially after their brief split in 2010 and eventual reunion in 2015, the walls began to come down. “That time apart helped us appreciate what we had,” said Dunn. “We started talking more, listening more. It wasn’t just about getting the harmonies right anymore. It became about supporting each other as people.”
In recent interviews and stage appearances, fans have noticed a warmer, more brotherly connection between the two. They joke more, reminisce openly, and often exchange looks on stage that speak volumes.
“We’ve both been through a lot in life — marriages, kids, loss, success, failure,” Brooks added. “You come to realize that someone who’s been by your side through all of it is more than just a bandmate. He’s family.”
Their relationship today is marked by gratitude. “We don’t take any of this for granted,” said Dunn. “Every time we step on stage together now, it’s a celebration.”
As Brooks & Dunn continue to tour and record new music, their bond has become as much a part of their story as their songs. And for fans who’ve grown up with them, watching that evolution has made the music mean even more.