Country music legends Brooks & Dunn brought their signature sound and undeniable stage presence to RodeoHouston, shaking off a rough start to deliver a crowd-pleasing performance.
The duo, known for their chart-topping hits and honky-tonk energy, had to reschedule a recent show in Lubbock due to an explosion at a Texas Tech substation. Reflecting on the incident, Ronnie Dunn recalled seeing “green fire and purple smoke blasting out of potholes.”
“They tried to blow us up,” Dunn joked to the crowd of 71,256, marking the largest audience of the season—edging out Parker McCollum’s record by just 38 attendees.
Texas native Dunn, who had been battling a sore throat after the explosion, later discovered he was also fighting both COVID-19 and strep throat. While his vocals sounded slightly strained during the opening songs, the energy and nostalgia carried the performance. Fans eagerly sang along to classics like “Brand New Man,” “My Next Broken Heart,” and “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone,” with each song greeted by cheers of recognition.
Kix Brooks expressed his excitement about returning to “the world’s biggest honky-tonk” for their 19th RodeoHouston appearance. The duo made history in 2008 as the first group inducted into the RodeoHouston Star Trail of Fame.
“Hard Workin’ Man” ignited the night, transforming from a honky-tonk anthem into a full-blown rock spectacle that had the entire band energized. Dunn made sure to include everyone in the lyrics, adding, “And women, too!”
The highlight of the night came with “Neon Moon,” one of the defining ballads of ’90s country, which turned into a heartfelt singalong.
“You sound better than we do,” Dunn admitted before hitting the song’s final note with gusto.
At one point, Dunn playfully asked, “They told us to play for an hour—should we make it two?” The audience roared in approval before he quipped, “We can barely sing an hour.”
Closing out the night, Brooks & Dunn powered through crowd favorites like “My Maria,” “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” and “Only in America,” keeping the energy high until the last note. After such a performance, they certainly earned a round of hot tea—and maybe a well-deserved shot of whiskey.
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