Kix Brooks

Out on his own now as a solo act, Kix Brooks is half of the all-time best-selling country music duo, Brooks & Dunn. Together, they sold more than 30 million records, garnered 23 No. 1 hits, and recently set a new record as the group with the most Top 10 country singles.

Back in 1990,  Brooks teamed with Ronnie Dunn to form Brooks & Dunn, eventually winning more than 75 major industry awards and setting  a new record with their 41st top 10 single.  The release broke a tie with Alabama as the duo or group with the most Top 10 country singles in the 19-year history of Nielsen BDS-monitored airplay.

Brooks began performing at age 12, then continued performing in clubs and at other venues throughout high school. He also began writing songs at that time. Eventually he landed in Nashville, where he joined Tree Publishing Company. Shortly thereafter, artists like the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Conlee and Highway 101 all scored #1’s with Brooks’ songs.

Never one to let the grass grow under his feet, Brooks ventured into the world of radio in 2006 when he took over the hosting reins of the long-running syndicated radio program, American Country Countdown. He recently reflected on his reason for joining ACC as host, “I really enjoy what I do for a living. I love this business. I love the characters and personalities in this business. At the end of the day, it’s all about sharing those stories.”

The broadcast industry took note, and in 2009, honored him with the National Broadcasting Personality of the Year award, making Brooks the first person to ever win a CMA in both the artist and broadcast categories.

Kix Brooks. November 6 at The Palladium

In additions to performing as a solo artist, Brooks served as President, in 2004, and Chairman, in 2005, of the Country Music Association (CMA). He remains an active board member of the CMA and served as part of the Blue Ribbon Committee. He serves on the boards of Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and Avenue Bank, and previously served on the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau. He is the local spokesperson for Monroe Harding Children’s Home and is a founding partner of Arrington Vineyards in Arrington, TN.