Brooks & Dunn still have more music they want to make. The reigning ACM Duo of the Year, who also won in the same category at the 2024 CMA Awards, reveal they are working on a new record, the follow-up to REBOOT II, out last November.
“We’re working on it, we’re pushing that row,” Ronnie Dunn tells Billboard, adding that their current label, Sony Music Nashville, has been encouraging them to make another project.
“We’ve got a label that we had a really great meeting with. They can’t make us make a record, but they would love to see us do it,” Kix Brooks adds. “They don’t want to put out a record that’s not a great record.”
Before Reboot II, Brooks & Dunn released Reboot in 2019. Their last album of new material was Cowboy Town, released in 2007.
“He’s not a country artist, but I love quoting Billy Joel,” Brooks says, “He said ‘I haven’t made a new record in [32] years and it’s working quite well.’”
Few, if any, country acts have had the resurgence that Brooks & Dunn have had, nor their longevity. Brooks just turned 70, and Dunn will be 72 next month. With more than enough success to retire, Brooks & Dunn are only looking ahead.
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“I still think we have the juice to be able to sell a new one,” Dunn says. “I just want to put one more through the goal posts.”
With their latest win, Brooks & Dunn beat their own record, with an astonishing 17 wins.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Dunn said backstage after their historic ACM Awards win. “We took a ten-year break. I don’t know how many tractors I have now.”
“Honestly, this wasn’t for a record breaker,” Brooks remarks. “But we worked really hard this year. We had a great tour, saw stuff sold out. We did our Reboot II album, and we came in here thinking, ‘You know, we’re actually back in business.’ So it feels legit to be sitting there when they call your name.”
Brooks & Dunn enjoyed their reign at the top from the beginning of their career, with their debut single, “Brand New Man,” becoming a No. 1 hit, and their first 17 singles landing in the Top 10. To be back on top again is almost more than either of them can comprehend.
“We had a heck of a run in the ’90s when we got together, and for a long time,” Brooks said (via Taste of Country). “Then we went and did solo projects and kicked around for a minute.
“Then we squeezed back together, and the chances of finding this audience that we have in the last couple of years is pretty minuscule,” he adds. “We’re looking out there now at crowds going, ‘I don’t know how y’all found us, but this is really cool.'”
Brooks & Dunn have several headlining shows on the calendar. They will also serve as the opening act for select dates on Morgan Wallen’s I’m The Problem Tour. Find all of their music and upcoming shows at brooks-dunn.com.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of ACM / Rich Polk