On a cool crisp September fall night in Clarkston, Michigan Brooks & Dunn brought the country heat to Pine knob Thursday night. Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks, some 34 years later haven’t aged a bit delivering an epic 17-song set to their beloved followers. Entering the venue the parking lots were full of country tailgaters singing and doing a little boot scootin’ boogie while getting their bodies pre-warmed if you will. The evening kicked off with southern bell Willow Avalon who is known for her bold Southern voice, rebellious persona, and narrative-driven songs delivered a nice half-hour. Also, on tour with Brooks & Dunn David Lee Murphy followed with a one-hour set filled with songs he co-wrote for the likes of Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, and Justin Moore.
Country music legends Brooks and Dunn were welcome with a classic hit from the Rolling Stones “Start Me Up” before hitting the stage with the LED screen displaying orange stallions filled with lightning bolts and a thunderous roar. Brooks & Dunn hit you with a one-two punch right out of the gates with “Brand New Man,” and “My Next Broken Heart.” This was only the second time the band has played Pine Knob since 2014 and the crowd let, they have with a display of high energy along with joining in on backup vocals making one big, gigantic sing-along party Detroit style. Brooks made note of the Detroit style party along with mentioning “and the women here are pretty, good god.” The set was filled with #1 hits one that stood out with me was “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone” song by Brooks who may have lost a little kick but still packed a wallop at the age of 71 sending goosebumps up and down your body.
The honky tonk didn’t stop there playing hits like “Red Dirt Road,” along with “Lost and Found,” and “Hard Workin’ Man.” I always like to make note of highlights from a show and that highlight came during “Rock My World (Little Cowgirl)” with Brooks on harmonica with a beauty onstage performance a performance that made you step back and just take in the moment. “Neon Moon” became another highlight with the crowd on backing vocals, swaying side to side the hill filled with hands in the air with a country swag thrown in. 35 years of making iconic hits, to number one’s, their music has found their way into millions of people’s hearts and the 14,000 plus in attendance with “My Maria” a B.W. Steveson cover that closed the set with the biggest pop of the night before the iconic encore “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” The biggest dance floor from any concert this year in the 313 was taking place in Clarkston, somebody check the Guinness book of records and get back to me on that, holy hell what a way to end the night.
Brooks & Dunn the best-selling country duo of all time will celebrate 35 years of their debut album with a first-ever vinyl pressing of BRAND-NEW MAN 35th Anniversary edition, out October 23rd. The band will be making a second Michigan stop with a Friday show at the newly built Acrisure Amphitheatre in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The tour runs until October 10th with newly added 2027 dates so get out there and get your Honky Tonk on in a city near you. “Horns up, America! Keep rocking.”
