JOPLIN, Mo. —
Separating from a well-known duo has seemed to work for Ronnie Dunn.
Formerly one half of the popular duo Brooks & Dunn, Dunn decided to end his “boot scootin’ ways” in 2010 and go solo, reinventing both himself and his musical career. He will perform at 8 p.m. tonight at Downstream Casino.
“I have to say,” Dunn said in a recent interview, “I’m sure enjoying feeling ‘new’ all over again.”
To that end, the Texas native released his self-titled debut album last year. The album’s first single, “Bleed Red,” reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Other singles, “Cost of Livin’” and “Let the Cowboy Rock,” quickly followed. In its first week, the album sold 45,000 copies in the U.S.
“Yeah, you really could say that I have been waiting my whole life to make this album,” Dunn said of the album that took more than two years to piece together. Many of the songs seem to serve as a road map of Dunn’s professional singing career. “Like one of the songs on the album says, ‘We all bleed red,’ and frankly, there’s a whole lot of my blood all over these particular tracks.”
Ironically, Dunn launched his musical career as a solo artist. He charted two minor songs in 1984 with “It’s Written All Over Your Face” and “She Put the Sad in All His Songs.” Six years later, Dunn met up with Kix Brooks to form Brooks & Dunn, and country music history was made.
The duo’s first album, “Brand New Man,” quickly followed in 1991. Between then and 2010, the band sold more than 30 million records and had 20 No. 1 singles on Billboard. It is looked upon by country music fans as one of the most consistently successful acts on the concert circuit.
Dunn’s live experience includes a mix of songs both new and old, including former hits like “Rock My World (Little Country Girl),” “That Ain’t No Way to Go,” “Red Dirt Road” and “How Long Gone.”
Fundraising concerts
This year’s special summer concert series, featuring legendary and current country and rock acts, will wrap up in September when legendary rock band Boston and ventriloquist and stand-up comedian Jeff Dunham take the stage.
For every ticket sold to the remaining concerts, $5 will go directly to the Joplin Tornado First Response Fund. This fund was established by the City of Joplin and the Community Foundation of Southwest Missouri to aid the continuing short-term and long-term rebuilding efforts in the wake of last year’s tornado.
Sean Harrison, Downstream’s public relations manager, said they haven’t added up a total yet and likely won’t until the summer concert series is over. He said a couple of the previous shows had lower-than-anticipated ticket sales, possibly because the extreme heat in late July and early August.
On the other hand, some shows have generated great excitement, particularly the July 19 concert showcasing the classic rock band Chicago.
“I hope that with the release at the end of the (concert) season that I’ll have some cool stuff to tell you,” Harrison said.
The total donation is expected to be anywhere from $60,000 to $90,000, an amount similar to what Downstream would have spent being a venue sponsor for such shows.
Enjoy
Related Photos
-
Ronnie Dunn
Discussion
Lone singer: Dunn finds success in solo career
- Enjoy
-
-
Raised voices: Trio brings energetic, spiritual show to Branson
From singing in church and at their mother's bedside following her near-fatal accident, Michael, Avery and Nadia Cole, the Voices of Glory, have had an effect on people.
-
Glass instruments featured in special program
Dennis James' obsession started when he was 6 years old. During a visit to the Franklin Museum in 1956, he spotted a glass armonica and was transfixed.
-
Farm Girl Fest to hold spring event at school
A group that re-creates historic farm life at Red Oak II in Carthage will take their event to school this weekend.
-
Historic ghost tour features Victorian-era seance
Now the spring season of the historic ghost tours has a new stop: Caldone's After Dark Speakeasy at 218 S. Main.
-
Rummage sale to benefit foster parents
A rummage sale this weekend will help raise funds for foster parents dealing with cancer.
-
Benji Tunnell: Outside of the theater, movies are still entertaining
Every once in a while, I like to take a break from the weekly movie grind and explore some other entertainment avenues. Being a movie geek, I often gravitate toward film-related stuff.
-
Jeremiah Tucker: New Vampire Weekend album has shades of 'Pet Sounds'
The New York band's third full-length release, "Modern Vampires of the City," an instant classic and the best album of the year, feels like a sequel to that song. It is a record about being on the cusp of real, out-of-your-20s, unromantic adulthood and the terror that accompanies the narrowing of your options.
-
Joe Hadsall: Grilling cookbook packed with inspiration
With a healthy supply of flat irons, I've been able to experiment with a new grilling cookbook that has turned out to pretty handy and comprehensive.
-
Dave Woods: Exotic animals provide adventure in Branson
I didn’t know what to expect when I walked into Branson’s Wild World. Neither did Denita Brooks.
-
Dave Woods: Hamner-Barber veterans tribute raises bar
Dave Hamner and Jim Barber's variety show is filled with magic, music, ventriloquism and, near the end of the show, a veterans tribute like none I had seen before. It brought me to tears and raised the Branson veterans tribute bar for me.
- More Enjoy Headlines
-
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
