Kix Brooks

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Kix Brooks
Kix Brooks by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg
Brooks in March 2018
Background information
Birth nameLeon Eric Brooks III
Born (1955-05-12) May 12, 1955 (age 69)
Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres Country
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician, radio personality, producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, piano
Years active1983–present
LabelsAvion, Capitol, Arista Nashville
Member of Brooks & Dunn
Website kixbrooks.com

Leon Eric Brooks III, better known by his stage name Kix Brooks (born May 12, 1955), is an American country music artist, actor, and film producer best known for being one half of the duo Brooks & Dunn and host of radio's American Country Countdown . Prior to the duo's foundation, he was a singer and songwriter, charting twice on Hot Country Songs and releasing an album for Capitol Records. Brooks and Ronnie Dunn comprised Brooks & Dunn for twenty years, then both members began solo careers. Brooks’ solo career after Brooks & Dunn includes the album New to This Town .

Contents

In 2019, Brooks was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame as a member of Brooks & Dunn. [1]

Early life

Brooks grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana. He has a sister, a half-sister, and a half-brother; his father also adopted a son of his third wife. After graduating from the former Sewanee Military Academy, an Episcopal school in Sewanee, Tennessee, Brooks attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston as a theatre arts major. He moved to Alaska to work with his father on an oil pipeline for one summer, then returned to Louisiana Tech to finish his education. After graduating, he moved to Maine to write advertising for a company owned by his sister and brother-in-law.

Musical career

Brooks in April 2010 KixBrooksApr10.jpg
Brooks in April 2010

Brooks' father urged him to pursue his desire to become a musician, and he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in the early 1980s. His then-girlfriend (now wife Barbara, with whom he has a son and daughter) followed shortly thereafter. He worked for Tree Publishing as a staff songwriter. He recorded his first solo single, "Baby, When Your Heart Breaks Down", for Avion in 1983, but returned to songwriting after it only reached number 73 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Brooks and Dan Tyler co-wrote "Modern Day Romance", released by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in June 1985; it became the band's second No. 1 hit on the country chart.

Brooks released an album, Kix Brooks , in 1989 on Capitol Records. This album also featured the song "Sacred Ground" which became a No. 2 country hit for McBride & the Ride in 1992.

He was one half of country music duo Brooks & Dunn. Their 1991 debut album, Brand New Man , generated four number-one hit singles on the country charts. Brooks usually provided backing vocals on their songs and singles. The singles featuring Brooks on lead vocals include, "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone" (the only Brooks & Dunn single featuring Brooks on lead vocals to reach No. 1), "Lost and Found", "Rock My World (Little Country Girl)", "Mama Don't Get Dressed Up for Nothing", "South of Santa Fe", and "Why Would I Say Goodbye".

On August 10, 2009, Brooks & Dunn announced to their fans, via their website they intended to disband after twenty years of touring. According to the short statement released on their web site, Brooks & Dunn intended to release a greatest hits album, tour during the rest of 2009, and have a farewell tour in 2010.

Brooks resumed his solo career in 2012, releasing a new 12-track album on September 11, 2012. New to This Town features nine songs co-written by Brooks, including the album's first single, the title track. [2] He followed his second album with the soundtrack to the western film Ambush at Dark Canyon in 2014. Brooks composed the majority of the musical score as well as starring in the film. [3]

On December 3, 2014, Brooks & Dunn reunited, and along with Reba McEntire, performed a series of concerts in Las Vegas, Nevada, throughout the summer and fall of 2015.

Brooks performed at the 2019 Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum Concert and Induction Ceremony.

Awards

In 2005, Brooks, along with timber industrialist Roy O. Martin Jr., and the Louisiana State University sports legends Paul Dietzel, and Sue Gunter were among those named a "Louisiana Legend" by Louisiana Public Broadcasting. [4]

Other achievements

Brooks (right) performing with Bob DiPiero for U.S. troops in Afghanistan on behalf of the USO in December 2010 BobDiPieroKixBrooksDec10.jpg
Brooks (right) performing with Bob DiPiero for U.S. troops in Afghanistan on behalf of the USO in December 2010
Brooks' No. 81B legends car Richard Childress Racing Museum October 2022 54 (Kix Brooks' No. 81B legends car).jpg
Brooks' No. 81B legends car

Since January 2006, Brooks has hosted American Country Countdown , a syndicated radio countdown show based on Mediabase (originally was BILLBOARD, from 2006 to August 2009), country charts. Brooks succeeded the show's former host, Bob Kingsley. Brooks is also co-owner of Arrington Vineyards, a Nashville winery with winemaker Kip Summers and businessmen John Russell. [5]

In 2013, Kix launched the film company Team Two Entertainment along with Eric Brooks. The company makes independent films Kix produces, and Kix occasionally appears as an actor.

In 2015, Brooks contracted with Cooking Channel to host Steak Out with Kix Brooks, in which he travels around America in search of the best steakhouses.

Discography

Albums

TitleDetailsPeak positions
US Country
[6]
US
[7]
Kix Brooks
New to This Town 1053
Ambush at Dark Canyon
(soundtrack)
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

YearSinglePeak positionsAlbum
US Country Songs
[9]
US Country Airplay
[10]
1983"Baby, When Your Heart Breaks Down"73Non-album single
"Make a Little Hay" [11]
1988"I'm On to You" [12] Kix Brooks
1989"Sacred Ground"87
"She Does the Walk On By" [13]
2012"New to This Town" (featuring Joe Walsh)31New to This Town
"Bring It On Home"3944
"Moonshine Road"4245
2013"Complete 360"49
"There's the Sun"48
"—" denotes releases that did not chart
YearSinglePeak positionsAlbum
US Country Songs
[9]
US Country Airplay
[10]
1990"Tomorrow's World" [a] 74Non-album single
2016"Damn Drunk"
(Ronnie Dunn with Kix Brooks)
4236 Tattooed Heart

Music videos

YearVideoDirector
2012"New to This Town"Team Two Entertainment
"Bring It On Home"Dustin Rikert
"Moonshine Road"Aaron Thomas

Filmography

Film

YearFilmRoleNotes
1994 8 Seconds HimselfBrooks and Dunn
2013A Country ChristmasDuke the horseExecutive Producer/Music Producer
2013Dug UpProducer OnlyExecutive Producer
2014Ambush at Dark CanyonDuke DonovanExecutive Producer
2014Born WildWade LocklinExecutive Producer
2016 Timber the Treasure Dog Timber (voice)
2016A Horse StoryChampion (voice)
2016You're Gonna Miss MeElmer MontanaExecutive Producer
2018 Home by Spring ArthurTelevision film (Hallmark)
2020A Nashville Christmas CarolSpirit of Christmas PastTelevision film (Hallmark)

Television

YearFilmRoleNotes
2000 King of the Hill HimselfSeason 4, Episode 24
2015Steak Out with Kix BrooksHostAlso co-executive producer

Notes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brooks & Dunn</span> American country music duo

Brooks & Dunn is an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, both of whom are vocalists and songwriters. The duo was founded in 1990 through the suggestion of songwriter and record producer Tim DuBois. Before their formation, both members were solo recording artists, having charted two solo singles apiece in the 1980s. Brooks also released an album for Capitol Records in 1989 and wrote hit singles for other artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronnie Dunn</span> American singer-songwriter

Ronald Gene Dunn is an American country music singer-songwriter and record executive. Starting in 2011, Dunn has worked as a solo artist following the temporary dissolution of Brooks & Dunn. He released his self-titled debut album for Arista Nashville on June 7, 2011, reaching the Top 10 with its lead-off single, "Bleed Red". After leaving Arista Nashville in 2012, Dunn founded Little Will-E Records. On April 8, 2014, Ronnie Dunn released his second solo album, Peace, Love, and Country Music through Little Will-E Records. On November 11, 2016, he released his third album Tattooed Heart on NASH Icon label. His fourth album Re-Dunn was released on January 10, 2020.

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 2005.

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 2006.

<i>Tight Rope</i> (album) 1999 studio album by Brooks & Dunn

Tight Rope is the sixth studio album by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn, released in 1999 on Arista Nashville. Their least successful album commercially, it was the first album of their career not to receive platinum certification from the RIAA; furthermore, only one of its three singles reached the top ten on the country charts. The album's lead single was a cover of John Waite's 1984 number-one pop hit "Missing You". This cover peaked at No. 15 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Following it were "Beer Thirty" and "You'll Always Be Loved by Me". "Goin' Under Gettin' Over You" reached No. 60 from unsolicited play as an album cut.

<i>Kix Brooks</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Kix Brooks

Kix Brooks is the first solo studio album by American country music artist Kix Brooks. It was released on Capitol Nashville in 1989, a year before he joined Ronnie Dunn in the duo Brooks & Dunn. The album was re-released in 1993 on compact disc via Liberty Records. It includes the single "Sacred Ground," which was a minor hits for Brooks on the country charts, and a new version of "Baby, When Your Heart Breaks Down", which was originally released as a single in 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Dirt Road (song)</span> 2003 single by Brooks & Dunn

"Red Dirt Road" is a song written and recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released in April 2003 as the first single and title track from their album of the same name. "Red Dirt Road" serves a summation of small-town values and the experiences that shape you. The song was a domestic chart-topper; it scored the duo their eighteenth number one hit on Billboard's Hot Country Songs ranking; it was also a top-25 single on the all-genre Hot 100, and ranked as one of its top overall hits for 2003. The duo performed the single at the tribute concert for Dale Earnhardt at the Daytona International Speedway in July 2003. In 2019, Brooks & Dunn re-recorded "Red Dirt Road" with American country music artist Cody Johnson for their album Reboot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sacred Ground (song)</span>

"Sacred Ground" is a country music song, co-written and originally recorded by American country music singer Kix Brooks, prior to his joining Ronnie Dunn in the duo Brooks & Dunn. Brooks' version was issued in 1989 as a single, and was included on his 1989 self-titled debut album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brand New Man (song)</span> 1991 single by Brooks & Dunn

"Brand New Man" is a song recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn, written by Kix Brooks, Don Cook and Ronnie Dunn. It was released in June 1991 as their debut single, and was served as the first single and title track from their debut album of the same name, and their first Number One single on the country charts, thus making them only the second country music band in history to have its debut single reach Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You See Him/If You See Her</span> 1998 single by Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn

"If You See Him/If You See Her" is a song written by Terry McBride, Jennifer Kimball and Tommy Lee James, and recorded by American country music artist Reba McEntire, along with the duo Brooks & Dunn. It served as the title track to each artist's respective 1998 albums, both released on June 2 of that year. The song was concurrently promoted and distributed by both artists' labels: MCA Nashville and Arista Nashville, then the respective labels for McEntire and Brooks & Dunn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock My World (Little Country Girl)</span> 1993 single by Brooks & Dunn

"Rock My World " is a song written by Bill LaBounty and Steve O'Brien and recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released in December 1993 as the fourth single from their album Hard Workin' Man. It is also their second single to feature Kix Brooks on lead vocals instead of Ronnie Dunn. The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Next Broken Heart</span> 1991 single by Brooks & Dunn

"My Next Broken Heart" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released in September 1991 as the second single from their debut album Brand New Man. The song was their second straight Number One single on the country charts. It was written by Kix Brooks, Don Cook and Ronnie Dunn.

"Lost and Found" is a song written by Kix Brooks and Don Cook and recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released in September 1992 as the fifth and final single from their debut album, Brand New Man. It peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Additionally, it was the first single to feature Kix Brooks on lead vocals instead of Ronnie Dunn, and the first single of their career to miss the No. 1 spot.

"You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released in June 1995 as the fourth single from their third album Waitin' on Sundown. The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. This is the third single to feature Kix Brooks on lead vocals instead of Ronnie Dunn, and the only single of such that was one of Brooks & Dunn's 20 Billboard No. 1 hits. The song was written by the duo along with Don Cook.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mama Don't Get Dressed Up for Nothing</span> 1996 single by Brooks & Dunn

"Mama Don't Get Dressed Up For Nothing" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released in September 1996 as the third single from their album Borderline, and their 18th single overall. The song received moderate success on the US Country chart, where it peaked at number 13, while it was a number 8 hit in Canada. It was the first single the duo released that missed the US country top 10, breaking a streak of 17 straight top 10 entries; the next eight singles Brooks and Dunn released after this would also make the country top 10. This is the fourth single to feature Kix Brooks on lead vocals instead of Ronnie Dunn. Kix and Ronnie wrote this song, along with Don Cook.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honky Tonk Truth</span> 1997 single by Brooks & Dunn

"Honky Tonk Truth" is a song written by Ronnie Dunn, Kim Williams and Lonnie Wilson, and recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released in August 1997 as the first single from their first compilation album The Greatest Hits Collection. It peaked at #3 on the US Country chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only in America (Brooks & Dunn song)</span> 2001 single by Brooks & Dunn

"Only in America" is a song recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released in June 2001 as the second single from the album Steers & Stripes. Kix Brooks, one-half of the duo, co-wrote the song with Don Cook and Ronnie Rogers. "Only in America" was also the second of three consecutive Number One hits from that album, reaching its peak on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts for the week of October 27, 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cowgirls Don't Cry</span> 2008 single by Brooks & Dunn featuring Reba McEntire

"Cowgirls Don't Cry" is a song written by Ronnie Dunn and Terry McBride of McBride & the Ride and recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released in October 2008 as the fourth and final single on their studio album Cowboy Town. One month after its chart entry, it was re-recorded and re-released as a duet with Reba McEntire. The song is Brooks & Dunn's 41st and most recent Top 10 hit on the Billboard country charts and McEntire's 56th.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Summer (Brooks & Dunn song)</span> 2009 single by Brooks & Dunn

"Indian Summer" is a song by the American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was written by the duo's members, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, along with Bob DiPiero. As Brooks & Dunn's 49th single, it was released in May 2009 and was the lead-off single to the duo's third greatest hits album #1s… and Then Some, released on September 8, 2009, via Arista Nashville.

<i>New to This Town</i> Album by Kix Brooks

New to This Town is the second solo studio album by American country music artist Kix Brooks. It was released on September 11, 2012, via Arista Nashville. It is Brooks' first album after his split as one half of Brooks & Dunn. Brooks produced the album and co-wrote nine of its twelve tracks. Its first single, the title track, features Joe Walsh on guitar and was co-produced by Jay DeMarcus, one third of Rascal Flatts. This album was followed by the soundtrack to Brooks' film Ambush at Dark Canyon, for which he composed most of the musical score and also starred in.

References

  1. "Brooks & Dunn, Ray Stevens to join Country Hall of Fame - Portland Press Herald". Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  2. Kix Brooks to Release Debut Album September 11. Taste of Country. Retrieved 2012-07-05
  3. "Kix Brooks Takes Turn as Leading Man in 'Ambush At Dark Canyon'". Billboard. November 11, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  4. "Roy O. Martin, Jr. obituary". The Shreveport Times . March 24, 2007. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  5. "1995". Clemson World. Spring 2008. p. 36.
  6. "Kix Brooks - Chart History (Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  7. "Kix Brooks - Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  8. "Kix Brooks Takes Turn as Leading Man in 'Ambush At Dark Canyon'". Billboard. November 11, 2013.
  9. 1 2 "Kix Brooks - Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Kix Brooks - Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  11. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. December 10, 1983.
  12. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. September 3, 1988.
  13. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. April 22, 1989.
  14. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN   978-0-89820-177-2.