There is undeniable chemistry among talented country singers. This can be seen when Lynn and Twitty exchange playful banter on stage or Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood interpret Patsy Cline’s classic hit in their performances.
Even on Music Row today, some pairings prove more successful than others.
Brooks & Dunn
Country music boasts an incredible breadth of talent, but few duos have had as profound an effect as Brooks & Dunn. Together they helped mold the sound of country music in the ’90s by marrying tuneful Nashville songcraft with arena rock sounds; topping charts with songs like “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” and “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You”, as well as selling out their debut album as one of the greatest selling country albums ever made.
Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn came to Nashville from distinct backgrounds. Brooks hails from Shreveport, Louisiana, having written songs for other artists before moving to Nashville in the early ’80s. Though his first solo recordings — small-label singles and an album under his own name — weren’t successful initially, winning a songwriting contest sponsored by Marlboro gave him his start in music business.
Tim DuBois, an executive from Arista Records, introduced two singers in 1990 while each were pursuing solo careers. DuBois was immediately won over by their chemistry, offering them record deals as Brooks & Dunn. Arista Records quickly went all-in on them as Brooks & Dunn soon went on to dominate charts with numerous hits released under this moniker.
After parting ways in 2010, this duo reunited in 2015 to perform at several Vegas concerts that marked a comeback. By 2019, Reboot, their latest album that revisited many of their biggest hits featuring younger country artists was out and available to stream or buy on digital download platforms.
Brooks and Dunn have made great strides beyond music to further their charitable causes. Through Keep the Music Playing initiative they helped enhance music education in Tennessee schools; additionally they have made donations to organizations like Monroe Carell Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and CMA Foundation.
While each artist has released solo albums, they both prefer performing together. At present they’re headlining the 2023 Carolina Country Music Festival, and starting 2021 will begin their residency at Las Vegas’ Palms Casino Resort. Their live shows are must-sees for country fans!
Big & Rich
Big Kenny and John Rich became Nashville legends by storming through its establishment like a freight train in 2004. While they didn’t appear from nowhere, their presence made it appear so quickly – all traces of Rich’s time in Lonestar and Big Kenny’s years as a professional songwriter vanished into two uncontrollable train wrecks with an abundance of humor and energy that became instantly irresistible to fans of country music.
Horse of a Different Color was an enormously successful debut album for the duo, rocketing them to the forefront of country music with its signature mix of country, old-school rap and other genres. Comin’ to Your City followed in 2005 before Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace came out two years later in 2007.
Big & Rich were more than just performers. They also served as writers and producers for other artists such as Gretchen Wilson, Martina McBride and country rapper Cowboy Troy – helping launch their careers along with others like them. Breaking rules during an era of conformity in Nashville, Big & Rich often pushed themselves and their Muzik Mafia toward avenues which may have put off more conservative acts.
Both members of Big & Rich released solo albums; Big Kenny’s 2009 release The Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farm Boy hit country charts while Rich released Son of a Preacher Man which also did. Both artists also wrote songs for other performers as well as released solo singles such as McBride’s “She’s a Butterfly” by Big Kenny and released “Long After I’m Gone”. In late 2018, however, Big & Rich announced they would be going on hiatus; making only select shows this year before retiring their musical identities altogether.
Florida-Georgia Line
Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley became one of the most recognized country music acts over the past decade following their breakout hit song “Cruise”. Since then, they’ve sold out arenas worldwide while creating their own festival.
Florida Georgia Line’s third album marked a notable departure, featuring high-profile collaborations such as Tim McGraw and Ziggy Marley, as it ventured in a different direction than their previous work. While reviving some classic bro-country cliches, the duo also explored more meaningful songs about love and life that made them even more lovable among country music fans.
Florida Georgia Line announced after releasing their fourth album, Can’t Say I Ain’t Country, that they would take a break to pursue individual projects and focus on live shows alone. Although taking this decision individually has proven challenging for both artists individually, Florida Georgia Line maintains that they will still play together during live performances.
Though many fans speculated that politics and social media squabbles played a part in FGL’s split, Tyler Hubbard disproved these claims during an interview on The Bobby Bones Show and was open to discussing any future reunion of Florida Georgia Line.
FGL’s debut single from their fifth album, Life Rolls On, features Jason Derulo as a guest artist. Although not drastically different from their typical sound, the addition of pop star detracts from FGL’s trademark country sound and makes the song feel disjointed from its surroundings – creating an awkward mix of genres that never quite works together.
Small Town is another powerful demonstration of how guest artists can alter a record’s tone and direction. FGL has always excelled at depicting small towns and dirt roads, but banjo brings in a touch of country soul that makes the track sound more like an old school hit than modern country music. Despite all of their bizarre musical choices, their vocals remain flawless; all in all this track makes an excellent ending track to an extraordinary album.
Southerland
Southerland, composed of Charleston native Matt Chase and Washington, GA resident Chris Rogers from Southerland has an authentic sound. Their music embodies traditional country storytelling with modern elements. After meeting during a songwriting session in 2016, and immediately going out on tour together after only one week together on tour – these two have found musical compatibility for more than three years, creating their signature style inspired by classic country artists such as Alan Jackson and Travis Tritt while remaining completely contemporary.
“We don’t try to fit any specific mold,” according to Rogers, “but rather try to create something that makes us feel good.” This approach pays off; Southerland’s songs showcase a wide range of genres; their debut EP Boot Up includes “Along Those Lines,” an ode to blue-collar workers, as well as its title track with its Brooks & Dunn influence and another ballad by them both titled Boot Up.
Apart from their writing and performing endeavors, the pair is dedicated to giving back. Through “Music Gives to St. Jude Kids” program they support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital while advocating for lessening antibiotic usage during livestock production through Southerland Animal Welfare’s non-profit initiative.
Southerland will make their Nashville debut with a headlining pop-up concert at Ole Red on November 3. Hailed by Forbes as “a new duo taking Country music back to its roots”, Southerland will perform songs from their May 2021 EP Boot Up as well as unreleased tunes – guaranteed to get fans singing along quickly! For updates, follow Southerland on social media such as Facebook or Instagram for announcements regarding future shows or releases!