Watch the video at the end of this article.
Introduction
The phrase “Dissolving at the peak and reuniting unexpectedly” perfectly encapsulates the career trajectory of the iconic country duo, Brooks & Dunn.
Here’s why:
- Dissolving at the peak: Brooks & Dunn were incredibly successful throughout their career, racking up numerous awards, No. 1 hits, and selling millions of albums. They announced their split in August 2009, after over 20 years together, and embarked on a farewell tour that concluded in 2010. While there had been creative tensions and disagreements over the years, from an outside perspective, they were still at the top of their game when they decided to go their separate ways. Ronnie Dunn even famously said they would “never” reunite, joking “when hell freezes over.”
- Reuniting unexpectedly: After pursuing successful, but not quite as impactful, solo careers, the duo surprised fans by reuniting in 2015 for a Las Vegas residency with Reba McEntire, titled “Reba, Brooks & Dunn: Together in Vegas.” This residency was incredibly popular and was extended multiple times. This led to further collaborations, including their 2019 album “Reboot,” which featured re-recordings of their hits with younger country artists, and a subsequent tour.
Their reunion was indeed unexpected, especially given Ronnie Dunn’s earlier strong statements. It demonstrated that despite their past differences, their musical chemistry and the demand from fans were powerful enough to bring them back together, solidifying their legacy as one of country music’s most enduring and beloved duos.