Ronnie Dunn

Last updated

Ronnie Dunn
Ronnie Dunn by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg
Dunn in March 2018
Background information
Birth nameRonald Gene Dunn
Born (1953-06-01) June 1, 1953 (age 71)
Coleman, Texas, U.S.
Origin Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. [1]
Genres Country
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1983–present
Labels
Member of Brooks & Dunn
Website ronniedunn.com

Ronald Gene Dunn (born June 1, 1953) 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.

Contents

In 2019, Dunn was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. [2]

Early life

Dunn was born in Coleman, Texas, and attended 13 schools in his first 12 years of school[ citation needed ]. He began school in New Mexico and finished his formal education at Abilene Christian University in 1975 as a psychology major. While playing bass guitar and singing with bands in clubs in the Abilene, Texas, area, the university gave him the choice of either quitting the band or the university [ citation needed ]. He left the university, then moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for a chance at the country music scene. He lived there for many years while drawing much inspiration from local honky tonks such as Tulsa City Limits, prominently-featured in the music video for Brooks & Dunn's hit "Boot Scootin' Boogie". While in college, he served as a music and youth minister at Avoca Baptist Church in Avoca, Texas [ citation needed ].

Musical career

Brooks & Dunn

Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks Ronnie Dunn & Kix Brooks by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks

Dunn began his musical career as a solo artist. He charted two minor singles with Churchill/MCA Records: in 1983, he released "It's Written All Over Your Face", and in 1984, "She Put the Sad in All His Songs". In 1990, he and Kix Brooks formed Brooks & Dunn. In 1991, they released their first album, Brand New Man , certified 6× platinum by the RIAA. Brooks & Dunn released 12 studio albums, two greatest hits albums, and a Christmas album. [3]

Brooks & Dunn sold over 30 million albums, [4] had twenty number-one singles on Billboard, and were one of the most-consistently successful acts on the concert circuit. In 2009, they announced they were temporarily disbanding in 2010.

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

2011–2012: Debut solo album and departure from Sony

Dunn in April 2010 RonnieDunnApr10.jpg
Dunn in April 2010

In late 2010, Dunn announced that he was working on a solo album. The album's first single, "Bleed Red", was released to country radio on January 29, 2011, and debuted at number 30 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week ending February 19, 2011, and ended as a Top 10, his first of his solo career. Dunn's self-titled album Ronnie Dunn was released on June 7, 2011. The second single from the album, "Cost of Livin'", was released on June 6, 2011, and debuted at number 56 on the country chart. It peaked at number 19, followed by "Let the Cowboy Rock" at number 31.

The album debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums, as well as number 5 on the Billboard 200, selling 45,000 copies in its first week in the US. [5]

In June 2012, Ronnie Dunn took to social media to ask his fans what the fourth single on the album should be. Shortly after, Ronnie got a call from the executives at Sony Music saying that his "fb post killed the "Let The Cowboy Rock" single. He then requested for radio to start playing "Once" as the next single. Before the song could be released to radio as a single, he was released from the label.

2013–2014: Little Will-E Records and Peace, Love, and Country Music

In March 2013, Ronnie Dunn previewed the song "Country This" on SoundCloud. On June 4, 2013, Ronnie released the two new tracks, "Country This" and "Kiss You There", exclusively on iTunes. The songs were each previewed for a month on The Highway on Sirius XM.

On July 9, 2013, Dunn announced his new record deal, a joint effort between HitShop Records and his own label Little Will-E Records with HitShop executing radio promotion while Dunn retains personal brand control. The lead-off single for his second solo album, "Kiss You There", was released to country radio on July 29, 2013. After an unsuccessful run with "Kiss You There", Dunn and HitShop Records parted ways.

On November 19, 2013, Dunn released the second single from the forthcoming album, "Wish I Still Smoked Cigarettes". In January 2014 Dunn also released "Grown Damn Man" as a promotional single from the second solo album. The album, Peace, Love and Country Music, was released on April 8, 2014. [6]

2014–2018: Nash Icon record deal and Tattooed Heart

Ronnie Dunn FPO-Ronnie Dunn-3909 PORTRAIT.jpg
Ronnie Dunn

On December 1, 2014, Ronnie Dunn began to speculate on his Facebook page that he had signed with the newest imprint of Big Machine Label Group, NASH Icon, but the label never confirmed nor denied. On January 12, 2015, President of Big Machine Scott Borchetta officially announced that Dunn had joined Reba McEntire and Martina McBride making him the third artist to join the roster. Borchetta stated in a press release "Ronnie Dunn has one of the smoothest, most-recognized and most-popular voices of the last twenty-five years in Country music. I'm truly honored to have him join us and take his rightful place as an Icon. Great music is on the way." Dunn also commented in the article saying "This is the best possible scenario that I can imagine. The Big Machine and Cumulus combination is a force, and I am proud to be included in this innovative venture". The press release went on to announce Ronnie Dunn was about to hit the studio to record what is now his third solo album and that the lead-off single of the album was released in early spring of 2015.

The lead single from Dunn's third solo album, "Ain't No Trucks in Texas", was released on July 17, 2015. On April 22, 2016, Dunn announced the second single, "Damn Drunk", on his Facebook page. The song was released August 5, 2016. On August 22, 2016, Dunn announced that the title of his third solo album was Tattooed Heart ; it was released on November 11, 2016.

2019–present: Reboot and Re-Dunn

In 2019, Brooks & Dunn returned to the studio for the first time since the release of their 2009 compilation, #1s... and Then Some . The result was a new album, Reboot, a collection of some of Brooks & Dunn's greatest hits re-recorded as duets between the duo and up-and-coming country music stars. The album was released on April 5, 2019. It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart.

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

Dunn announced in 2019 that he would be releasing a covers album in January 2020. Titled Re-Dunn , the album is a collection of twenty-four classic rock and country covers. A cover of "Amarillo by Morning" was released on September 6, 2019. [7]

Personal life

Dunn married his wife, Janine, on May 19, 1990; the couple have three children. [8] [9]

Awards

As a member of Brooks and Dunn, Dunn has 30 ACM awards, winning Top Vocal Duo every year since 1991, except for 2000 (the honor went to Montgomery Gentry) and 2008 (in which Sugarland won), before winning the award for the last time in 2009. The duo also won three Entertainer of the Year awards and Vocal Event of the Year in 2005, for their hit "Building Bridges" with Vince Gill and Sheryl Crow's background vocals, along with Single of the Year for the gospel song "Believe." That same year, Brooks and Dunn were part of a group of country artists presented with the new Triple Crown Award by the Academy of Country Music, which recognized the amazing feat of winning Top New Artist (or Duo/Group), Top Vocalist (or Duo/Group), and Entertainer of the Year. He is a member of the Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas Music Halls of Fame. With 18 won, Brooks and Dunn are tied for the most Country Music Association awards wins, sharing the honor with Vince Gill. They have the second-most Academy of Country Music awards with 30, surpassed only by Miranda Lambert with 35. Dunn was also the National Anthem singer before Game 3 of the 2011 World Series in Arlington, Texas. As a solo artist, Dunn has two Grammy nominations and over 23 Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) Million-Airplay awards. He was the BMI Country Music Songwriter of the Year in 1996 and 2001.

YearAssociationCategoryResult
2011Inspirational Country Music AwardsMainstream Inspirational Country Song - "Bleed Red" [10] Nominated
2013 55th Grammy Awards Best Country Song- "Cost of Livin'"Nominated
Best Country Solo Performance- "Cost of Livin'"Nominated

Discography

Studio albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positionsTitle
US Country
[11]
US
[12]
CAN
[13]
UK Country
[14]
Ronnie Dunn 15209
Peace, Love, and Country Music
  • Release date: April 8, 2014
  • Label: Little Will-E Records
  • Formats: CD, music download
Tattooed Heart
  • Release date: November 11, 2016
  • Label: Nash Icon
  • Formats: CD, music download
33390
Re-Dunn
  • Release date: January 10, 2020
  • Label: Little Will-E Records
  • Formats: CD, music download
17169
100 Proof Neon
  • Release date: July 29, 2022
  • Label: Little Will-E Records
  • Formats: CD, music download
49
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positionsAlbum
US Country
[18]
US Country Airplay
[19]
US
[20]
CAN
[21]
1983"It's Written All Over Your Face"59
1984"She Put the Sad in All His Songs"59
"Jessie"
2011"Bleed Red"106278Ronnie Dunn
"Cost of Livin'"1986
2012"Let the Cowboy Rock"31
2013"Kiss You There"60Peace, Love, and Country Music
"I Wish I Still Smoked Cigarettes"
2015"Ain't No Trucks in Texas"42Tattooed Heart
2016"Damn Drunk" (featuring Kix Brooks)4236
2017"I Worship the Woman You Walked On"46
"That's Why They Make Jack Daniels"51
"—" denotes releases that did not chart
YearSingleArtistPeak positionsAlbum
US Country
[22]
US Country Airplay
[23]
CAN Country
1994"Take These Chains from My Heart" Lee Roy Parnell 1721 On the Road
2007"I Don't Want To" Ashley Monroe 37Satisfied
2009"Garth Must Be Busy" Cledus T. Judd Polyrically Uncorrect
2014"Pray for Peace" Reba McEntire Love Somebody
2023"Rodeo Man" Garth Brooks 25 Time Traveler
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Other appearances

YearSongAlbum
2013"Baby, It's Cold Outside"
(Kelly Clarkson featuring Ronnie Dunn)
Wrapped in Red

Music videos

YearVideoDirector
2011"Bleed Red"Thien Phan
"Love Owes Me One"
"I Can't Help Myself" [24]
"How Far to Waco" [25]
"Cost of Livin'" [26]
2012"Let the Cowboy Rock" [27]
2013"Kiss You There" [28] Sherman Halsey
2014"You Don't Know Me"
2015"Ain't No Trucks In Texas" Peter Zavadil
2016"Damn Drunk" TK McKamy

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kix Brooks</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1955)

Leon Eric Brooks III, better known by his stage name Kix Brooks, 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.

<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">The Wreckers</span> American country duo

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This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1991.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Play Something Country</span> 2005 single by Brooks & Dunn

"Play Something Country" is a song recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn, co-written by Ronnie Dunn and Terry McBride. It was released in June 2005, as the first single from the duo's album Hillbilly Deluxe. In September of that year, the song reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, becoming the twentieth and final number one hit of the duo's career to date.

<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">Ain't Nothing 'bout You</span> 2001 single by Brooks & Dunn

"Ain't Nothing 'bout You" is a song written by Tom Shapiro and Rivers Rutherford and recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released on February 12, 2001 as the first single from Brooks & Dunn’s album Steers & Stripes. The song was nominated by the Country Music Association for Single of the Year. It spent six consecutive weeks as the No. 1 song on the US Country chart, and eventually ranked as the chart's No. 1 song of 2001. It also reached No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and ranked No. 71 for the year on that chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brooks & Dunn discography</span>

Brooks & Dunn is an American country music duo composed of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn. Signed to Arista Nashville, Brooks & Dunn has released 12 studio albums and seven compilation albums for the label. The duo has also charted 51 singles on the Billboard country charts, including 20 Number One hits. Two of their Number Ones have been declared by Billboard as the country single of the year: a cover of B.W. Stevenson's "My Maria" in 1996, and "Ain't Nothing 'bout You" in 2001.

<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">Terry McBride (musician)</span> American singer-songwriter

Terry McBride is an American country music artist. Between 1989 and 1994, and again from 2000 to 2002, McBride was the lead vocalist and bass guitarist in the band McBride & the Ride, a country music group which recorded four studio albums, received CMA and ACM Nominations for Vocal Group of the Year, and charted more than ten singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. The trio reunited a second time in 2021 and is currently touring throughout the country in support of their comeback EP, Marlboros & Avon. McBride continues to write and record solo music as well, including albums Hotels & Highways and Rebels & Angels. He is also the son of 1970s country singer Dale McBride.

<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.

"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">Husbands and Wives (song)</span>

"Husbands and Wives" is a song written and first recorded by American country music singer Roger Miller. Miller's original, from his album Words and Music, was released in February 1966 and was a crossover hit for him, reaching Top Ten on the U.S. country and Adult Contemporary charts, as well as Top 40 on the pop charts. Since the release of Miller's original, the song has been covered by several other artists, including The Everly Brothers, Ringo Starr, Neil Diamond, a duet between David Frizzell and Shelly West, Jules Shear, and Brooks & Dunn, whose version was a number-one country hit in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Believe (Brooks & Dunn song)</span> 2005 single by Brooks & Dunn

"Believe" is a song written by Ronnie Dunn and Craig Wiseman, and recorded by American country music duo Brooks & Dunn. It was released in October 2005 as the second single from their album Hillbilly Deluxe, and it won the Country Music Association's 2006 awards for Single of the Year, Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year. Rolling Stone ranked "Believe" No. 33 on its list of the 40 Saddest Country Songs of All Time in 2019.

<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>Ronnie Dunn</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Ronnie Dunn

Ronnie Dunn is the debut solo studio album by American country music artist Ronnie Dunn. It was released on June 7, 2011, by Arista Nashville. The album was Dunn's first release of solo music in nearly 25 years; he released three singles in the 1980s without issuing an album.

<i>Peace, Love, and Country Music</i> 2014 studio album by Ronnie Dunn

Peace, Love, and Country Music is the second solo studio album by country music artist Ronnie Dunn. The album was released on April 8, 2014 via Dunn's own record label Little Will-E Records. Peace, Love, and Country Music is Dunn's first solo release since 2011's Ronnie Dunn released on Arista Nashville.

References

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