Brooks & Dunn | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von

Brooks & Dunn's Career and New Album

• Brooks & Dunn have new tour dates coming up in various cities, including Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Lafayette, Louisiana, with tickets available at theo.com (0s)
• The duo is considered iconic in the world of country music, with many hits like "Neon Man," "Maria," and "Me and My Gang" (32s)
• Brooks & Dunn had solo careers before joining together to create one of the most popular tandems in country music history (41s)
• Their new album, "Reboot 2," comes out on November 15th, featuring new takes on their classic songs with artists like Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll, and Laney Wilson (58s)
• Brooks & Dunn were paired together by a mutual friend, Tim DuBois, who thought they might be a good match, and they started writing songs together, including "Brand New Man" and "Broken Heart" (3m22s)
• The duo didn't feel pressure to be successful, but rather were motivated by being broke and hungry, with none of their previous endeavors working out well (4m19s)
• Brooks & Dunn have been riding a bus together for 30 years, trying to figure out how to get off, despite not being brothers growing up (3m52s)
• Brooks & Dunn had success as songwriters, with Ronnie Dunn writing great songs like "Neon Moon" and "Boot Scoot" despite not being in Nashville to study the craft, and Kix Brooks having written a couple of hits, showing that it's possible to write songs without being in a co-writing town, but now it's becoming more common to have multiple writers on a song, with some having as many as nine writers (4m31s).
• The duo's partnership didn't feel like they had to be best friends, but rather a long ride that they didn't know how long it would last, and they didn't take the pressure to heart (5m26s).
• Tim DuBois had heard Kix Brooks playing in a bar in Oklahoma and wanted to sign him, and he already had Allan Jackson and Diamond Rio on his label, and was looking to sign a duo, which led to Brooks & Dunn being formed (5m50s).
• The duo didn't realize at first that they were part of a plan to fill a specific slot on the label, but they found out later that they were part of a list of artists that Clive Davis and Tim DuBois were putting together (6m13s).
• Brooks & Dunn walked out with Morgan Wallen at the CMAs, which was a cool experience, and they didn't know much about what was going on beforehand, but they knew that Morgan Wallen was selling out stadiums and crashing websites (6m34s).

Early Success and Challenges of Fame

• Kix Brooks had previously done a walk-on with Morgan Wallen at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville a couple of years ago, and also did a walk-on with DeAndre Hopkins, a player for the Tennessee Titans (7m16s).
• Brooks & Dunn had an experience where they walked out with a famous person, and it was chaotic, with people rubbing on him and getting aggressive, and they were told to just walk fast and it would be fine (7m59s).
• The situation was bizarre, and they didn't know what was going on, but the famous person seemed to be used to it and was just heading to work (8m51s).
• Brooks & Dunn mentioned that when they got to the stage, they couldn't go out, and the cameras followed the famous person, making it feel like it wasn't their show (9m4s).
• One of the tougher things that came with fame for Brooks & Dunn was dealing with the sudden success, as their first four songs were number one hits (9m51s).
• They started playing honky-tonks and bars, despite their manager telling them not to, and eventually formed a tight band to perform in front of large crowds (10m1s).
• One of their coolest memories was playing clubs everywhere, from their hometown to California, and experiencing the energy of a fired-up crowd (10m21s).
• They recalled the contrast between playing small clubs with few people and suddenly having a full parking lot and a enthusiastic audience (10m56s).
• Brooks & Dunn's success was unexpected, and they were just enjoying the experience of playing music and performing in front of a crowd (11m27s).
• Brooks & Dunn did not know each other before they started working together, and they learned about each other through interviews and as they gained fame (11m33s).
• Once fame started to happen, it was hard to put their lives back to normal, and they couldn't plan for it, even if they had grown up around it (11m49s).
• Brooks recalls going home after their first tour and his wife and mother-in-law telling him that he had changed, which he didn't feel was true, but people's perception of him had changed (12m9s).
• Brooks thinks that fame can be uncomfortable, and he wishes he could go back to normal life, especially at home, but it's hard to do so when people have a certain perception of him (12m48s).
• Brooks mentions that he and Ronnie Dunn were 36 and 38 years old when they met, which is old to start a career, and they didn't think they would have a 30-year run (13m36s).
• Their philosophy was to maximize their time in the spotlight, which they thought would be three to five years, and make as much money as they could (14m1s).
• Brooks and his wife Janine had a goal to make a million dollars, live off the interest, and live comfortably, with interest rates being 10% at the time (14m10s).
• Brooks recalls buying a house in Nashville, thinking they would only be there for a little while, and saving their money (14m29s).
• Brooks and Ronnie Dunn were known to be goofy and talk to people like they were friends, even when they were just starting out, and they would often sign autographs and talk to fans (14m47s).
• A fan approached Brooks & Dunn, stating that their friends told them the duo said something negative, which led to the fan getting rid of all their CDs, although Brooks & Dunn have no recollection of the conversation (15m16s).
• This incident made Brooks & Dunn realize that a brief interaction can greatly impact someone's impression of them and how they will share that impression with others (15m47s).
• Brooks & Dunn compared this situation to a job interview, where they have to quickly prove themselves to be likable (16m21s).
• Touring was challenging for Brooks & Dunn, especially when they had families, as they would often be away from home for extended periods (16m42s).
• Brooks & Dunn had just gotten married when they started touring, and they would often receive faxes from their wives while on the road, which sometimes led to misunderstandings (16m56s).
• Brooks & Dunn's wives did not have their cell phone numbers, as the phones were mainly used for ordering beer and pizza (18m46s).
• The cell phones used by Brooks & Dunn on tour were expensive and not easily accessible, with a cost of $18 per minute (18m35s).
• Brooks & Dunn had to sort out their marital issues, which included going to therapy, after the faxing incidents (18m8s).
• Brooks & Dunn's friend, Chenal, also had a similar experience with a cell phone on tour, which was a bulky device with a high cost per minute (18m20s).

Impact of Fame and Early Career

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• Brooks & Dunn's early success allowed them to get their own buses, with 13 people on one bus for a year, including merchandise and a guitar player who slept in the back with the merchandise (23m26s).
• The band's early days were chaotic, with one member, Geral, sleeping in the back of the bus surrounded by extra-large t-shirts (23m41s).
• Brooks & Dunn had a wild time on tour, with their crew being compared to the movie Animal House, and one member, nicknamed Fred Sanford, who would buy unusual items at truck stops, such as CB radios and chips, and make noise at night with his purchases (24m16s).
• The band had a phase where they would play pranks on each other on the road, and Faith Hill, who was opening for them, was also involved in the pranks (25m44s).
• One of the band members bought a frozen eel at a truck stop in Canada, thinking it could come in handy for pranks, and it was considered a very Canadian thing to do (25m33s).
• The eel was eventually used in a prank on Wade Hayes, who had just gotten off stage, by putting it in Faith Hill's hotel room bed, after she had put salt in his drink and water on stage (26m23s).
• The prank was set up by microwaving the eel, which made it slimy, and then placing it in Faith's bed, but she didn't say anything about it until they were going through customs to get back into the states (26m45s).
• Brooks recalls a time when he was accused of stealing jewelry by Faith Hill, and a lady approached him to investigate, but it turned out to be a joke (27m22s).
• Brooks reflects on the past, saying that the world was more fun and simple back then, and it was harder to capture moments, so they had to enjoy them as they happened (28m8s).
• Brooks mentions that when they weren't performing, they would often get into trouble, and it was a challenge to balance creativity with destructive behavior (28m25s).

Brooks & Dunn's Early Touring Experiences

• Brooks & Dunn's early success allowed them to get their own buses, with 13 people on one bus for a year, including merchandise and a guitar player who slept in the back with the merchandise (23m26s).
• The band's early days were chaotic, with one member, Geral, sleeping in the back of the bus surrounded by extra-large t-shirts (23m41s).
• Brooks & Dunn had a wild time on tour, with their crew being compared to the movie Animal House, and one member, nicknamed Fred Sanford, who would buy unusual items at truck stops, such as CB radios and chips, and make noise at night with his purchases (24m16s).
• The band had a phase where they would play pranks on each other on the road, and Faith Hill, who was opening for them, was also involved in the pranks (25m44s).
• One of the band members bought a frozen eel at a truck stop in Canada, thinking it could come in handy for pranks, and it was considered a very Canadian thing to do (25m33s).
• The eel was eventually used in a prank on Wade Hayes, who had just gotten off stage, by putting it in Faith Hill's hotel room bed, after she had put salt in his drink and water on stage (26m23s).
• The prank was set up by microwaving the eel, which made it slimy, and then placing it in Faith's bed, but she didn't say anything about it until they were going through customs to get back into the states (26m45s).
• Brooks recalls a time when he was accused of stealing jewelry by Faith Hill, and a lady approached him to investigate, but it turned out to be a joke (27m22s).

Reflecting on the Past and Balancing Creativity

• Brooks reflects on the past, saying that the world was more fun and simple back then, and it was harder to capture moments, so they had to enjoy them as they happened (28m8s).
• Brooks mentions that when they weren't performing, they would often get into trouble, and it was a challenge to balance creativity with destructive behavior (28m25s).
• Brooks and Dunn had a comedian, Gary Muer, open for them on several occasions, including in Vegas, and they consider him a good friend (28m36s).
• Gary Muer is a talented comedian and musician who can play guitar and has a Johnny Cash-like voice, often performing songs like "Ring of Fire" (28m55s).
• Brooks praises Gary Muer's unique comedy style, describing him as a straight-faced joke teller who can break down his audience (29m16s).
• Brooks recalls a time when Gary Muer performed a song with 20 verses, which was a country music analog that took the audience on a journey, and everyone was impressed (29m34s).
• Brooks notes that Gary Muer has performed at many shows, and he's seen him multiple times, but one particular performance stood out where he sang a real song without telling any jokes (29m52s).
• Brooks mentions that Gary Muer is a great comedian and a historian of Roger Miller's jokes and stories, and he's toured with him in the past (30m14s).

Competition and Friendships in the Country Music Industry

• Brooks reflects on being a duo and how there were other duos in the music industry that reached out to them for advice on navigating their partnership (30m40s).
• The country music industry is highly competitive, with artists competing for the best songs and trying to outdo one another, despite appearing friendly on TV (31m0s).
• Dolly Parton once said in an interview that there's room for everybody, but in reality, there's not, and artists want to be the best (31m19s).
• The competition in the industry is driven by the desire to get the best songs and have number one hits (31m28s).
• Artists often feel a competitive dynamic, especially at the beginning of their careers, and it can be fueled by the desire to catch up with others and have more number one hits (31m48s).
• Despite the competition, artists can form real friendships, such as the one between Brooks & Dunn and David Lee Murphy, who have collaborated on songs and toured together (32m10s).
• As artists gain success, the competition may become less ferocious, and they may focus more on creating good music rather than just trying to succeed (33m3s).
• Brooks & Dunn's career was marked by desperation and self-doubt, with the duo always trying to do something special because they thought it might be their last song or video (33m34s).
• As a musician, it can feel like success is out of one's control, with luck playing a significant role in getting the right songs and achieving success (34m3s).

Role of Luck and Timing in Success

• Brooks & Dunn estimate that luck accounts for 60-70% of their success, and while they can try to do more, a lot of it is indeed luck (34m11s).
• Hard work and luck play a significant role in achieving success, and being prepared when opportunities arise is crucial for capitalizing on them (34m25s).
• As songwriters, the duo believes that the quality of the song is the most important factor, and they have had the opportunity to work with people who pitch them good songs (34m47s).
• Timing is also a critical factor in success, and it can be considered a form of luck (34m58s).
• Both members of the duo had solo record deals before forming their partnership, and Ronnie Dunn was already an established singer before meeting his partner (35m11s).
• Aging in the music industry can be challenging, and it's difficult to know when to stop or how to end a career gracefully (35m30s).

Aging in the Music Industry and Encounters with Famous People

• The duo looks up to artists like Willie Nelson and Paul McCartney, who are still active and performing at an advanced age (36m18s).
• One of the duo members had a chance encounter with Paul McCartney in a bathroom, but he froze and didn't make a big deal out of it (36m30s).
• The same member has also had encounters with other famous people, including Montel Williams and Kid Rock, in a bathroom, which he describes as a "danger zone" (37m35s).
• Johnny Cash was asked a strange question, and he shared a story about a paper slipping under the wall in an airport stall with a message saying "we're good, don't touch it," and another paper slipped under saying "paper likes men" (38m6s).

Stories about Johnny Cash

• Johnny Cash was initially quiet and stoic, but as people got to know him, he was like a 17-year-old kid, funny, and crazy (38m31s).
• The song "One Piece at a Time" was about building a car, and Johnny Cash's friends, who owned a coal strip mine in Oklahoma, decided to build the car as a joke (38m58s).
• The friends, including the wife's ex-husband, were well-acquainted with Johnny Cash and traveled the world together (39m32s).
• When the narrator was introduced to Johnny Cash, he was nervous, but Johnny was quiet and welcoming, wearing jeans and casual clothes (40m8s).
• Johnny Cash was glad to see the narrator's wife, but the narrator felt like the "new kid on the block" and was initially shy and quiet (40m29s).
• The narrator believes that being in a band often comes with a certain reputation, and Johnny Cash was aware of this and had a sense of humor about it (40m46s).
• Johnny Cash was looked up to as an idol, but he was also down-to-earth and had a sense of humor, often joking with his friends (41m11s).
• June Carter Cash helped the narrator and his wife by offering them a place to live in a log cabin, which she had initially offered to the wife as a gesture of goodwill (41m22s).
• June Carter Cash told Janine that the odds of making it in the music industry were a million to one, and even if they did, it wouldn't last long, and that many musicians from that era, such as Jennings, Willie Nelson, Hank Jr, and Larry Gatlin, were "wild boys" who put their families through hell (41m55s).
• When Janine and June left the house to go shopping, Johnny Cash was left alone with the narrator and John, and he spent at least a minute in the bathroom before coming out and sitting in a leather recliner to watch TV (42m58s).
• The narrator felt unwelcome and didn't know what to say to Johnny, who didn't talk much, but eventually broke the silence to explain how TV works and how he used to watch it for days while high (43m35s).
• Johnny Cash explained to the narrator that he was an addict and used to watch TV for days until the news loops ended, and then a new cycle would start (43m58s).
• After Janine and June returned from shopping, Janine seemed pale and shaken, and the narrator later found out that June had read her the "riot act" about the music industry and how they wouldn't last (44m50s).
• Despite June's initial warnings, Johnny Cash and his family turned out to be very supportive, and Johnny even took an interest in the narrator's image and wardrobe for the CD cover shoot for "Brand New Man" (45m25s).
• Brooks & Dunn received a black suit from Johnny Cash, which was made by Manuel in 1972, and was given to them during a visit to Cash's home, with the condition that they not tell June Carter about it (45m45s).
• The suit was worn by Brooks & Dunn on the back of one of their CD covers, and it still belongs to them today (46m20s).
• During the visit, the parties at Cash's home were strictly sober, with only lemonade and iced tea being served (46m32s).
• June Carter was described as wearing the pants in the relationship and being the one who cared for Johnny Cash (46m46s).
• The visit occurred during a weekend when Johnny Cash was on furlough from rehab, and he was supposed to return on Sunday, but he came down with the flu (46m58s).
• June Carter refused to talk to Johnny Cash and instead asked Brooks & Dunn to drive her to the hospital to take him to get checked out (47m42s).
• Johnny Cash drove to the hospital, but was nodding off at the wheel, and was eventually taken in a wheelchair (48m2s).
• At the hospital, it was discovered that Johnny Cash's doctor was also in rehab, which added to the chaos of the situation (48m43s).

Substance Abuse and Recovery

• Brooks & Dunn also shared a story about Ric Flair, a famous wrestler, who was in a rehab center with a doctor who was also a patient (49m7s).
• Brooks & Dunn discuss their experiences with recovery meetings and how many of their friends deal with substance abuse issues, with Ronnie Dunn admitting to taking pills in the past, but Kix Brooks claims to have never been tempted by drugs or alcohol (49m25s).
• Kix Brooks attributes his lack of substance abuse to having allergies, which he claims to have never seen in anyone else (50m12s).
• Ronnie Dunn started drinking at a young age, having grown up in Louisiana, but it's unclear if this led to any significant struggles with substance abuse (50m23s).
• The duo discusses how they never had to be each other's caretaker, but they do appreciate the unique dynamic of their relationship, which allows them to avoid nonsense and focus on their work (50m37s).
• They admit to having been overserved on stage before, but have never raised their voices to each other, despite being hardheaded and having disagreements (51m14s).
• Brooks & Dunn believe that achieving success at an older age has been a blessing, as it allowed them to appreciate their accomplishments more, having experienced a time when there was no plan B (52m10s).
• The duo reflects on their career, acknowledging that they have been fortunate to have maintained a positive relationship despite the challenges of the music industry (52m31s).

Brooks's Louisiana Roots and Local Events

• Brooks & Dunn were on the floor during a performance, with the front of their body sweating profusely, while the band was on stage (53m7s).
• Their new album features collaborations with notable artists, including Ernest, Hardy, Morgan, and Lainey Wilson, who is from Louisiana and grew up close to Brooks' farm (53m40s).
• Lainey Wilson is a Louisiana girl from right up the road from where Brooks' farm is, with Brooks stating they are literally 18 miles apart (53m50s).
• Brooks grew up in Covington, Louisiana, where there is a statue of Ronald Reagan, which had its arm stolen but was later recovered (54m12s).
• The arm was stolen from the bronze statue, and it is unclear which arm was taken, but it can be researched online (54m33s).
• The statue is located in Covington, Louisiana, an area known for having many welders, which led to speculation about how the arm was removed (54m50s).
• The thief attempted to recycle the arm, but was caught when they tried to sell it to a local aluminum recycling center (55m5s).
• A similar incident occurred in Poland, where a copycat arm thief stole a statue's arm, but it was later recovered (55m28s).
• Brooks' grandparents are from El Dorado, Arkansas, and he has fond memories of the area, describing it as beautiful country (55m52s).
• The town of Shreveport, Louisiana, has undergone changes, including the demolition of its tallest building, which was a bank building (56m5s).
• The building was brought down through a controlled implosion, which was recorded and shared on social media platforms like TikTok (56m12s).
• The reason for the building's demolition is unclear, but it is speculated that it may have been due to the decline of the area or the building's condition (56m43s).
• Louisiana is considered a haunted place, with many locations and objects being described as haunted, and it's common for people to try to sell items with supposed ghostly connections, such as "ghost Jam" or haunted biscuits (57m8s).
• According to an online article, Louisiana was ranked as the number one least desirable state to live in, which is surprising given its unique culture and attractions (57m43s).
• The state's reputation for being haunted might be a turn-off for some people, but for others, it's a part of the charm, and they enjoy the idea of living in a place with a rich history and supernatural legends (57m51s).
• Louisiana is known for its natural beauty, with many areas being perfect for outdoor activities like duck hunting, and the state's unique environment and climate make it an ideal place for wildlife to thrive (58m35s).
• The person being discussed has a farm in Louisiana and enjoys duck hunting in the marshes, and they're planning to go on a duck hunting trip soon (58m41s).

Duck Hunting Trip and Other Anecdotes

• Duck hunting is preferred over turkey hunting because it's more enjoyable and requires a different set of skills, and the person being discussed has shot their share of turkeys but doesn't find it as exciting anymore (58m49s).
• The person being discussed has a friend, Jim Flores, who owns a place called Little Pan Island in Louisiana, which is a popular spot for duck hunting and is known for its natural beauty and abundant wildlife (59m44s).
• The ducks that can be found in Little Pan Island are mostly green heads and malards, and they migrate from the north and stop in the area to eat and rest, especially in places like Arkansas flooded timber and rice fields (1h0m31s).
• Brooks & Dunn went on a duck hunting trip in a marsh where they saw various types of ducks, including teal and mallards, and compared the environment to Africa (1h0m37s).
• Each person had their own guide and boat, and they used a blind to hide while hunting, which was covered in natural materials like straw (1h1m0s).
• The guides would check the blind for snakes, alligators, and other animals before the hunters got in, and they would use scuba tanks and shotguns to hunt (1h1m8s).
• Brooks & Dunn mentioned that they had eaten various types of game, including ducks and turkeys, but not all of them were good to eat (1h1m50s).
• Ronnie Dunn claimed that he had eaten owl, but later denied it, saying that his sister had grilled two owls (1h2m27s).
• The conversation turned to a news article about Vladimir Putin urging Russian citizens to have sex during work breaks to address the country's low birth rate (1h3m52s).
• A humorous discussion about a Pizza Hut promotion where they put resumes on pizza boxes to help people get jobs, with the idea that it's a unique way to promote oneself and potentially get hired (1h5m5s).
• The conversation leads to the idea of using Amazon boxes as a promotional tool, suggesting that it could be a good way to advertise and reach a wide audience, with the potential to put logos or messages on the boxes (1h5m38s).
• The topic shifts to the music industry, with a question about a new album and what inspired the artists to come back and make more music, with the response that it wasn't their idea, but rather their manager's, who had a good idea for the first time in years (1h6m52s).
• The manager's role and compensation are discussed, with a humorous anecdote about the manager's response to complaints, saying that he gives the artists 85% and takes 15%, but the artists joke that 15% of nothing is still nothing (1h7m49s).
• The conversation also touches on the artists' history, mentioning that they are 30-something years into their career without a new album, and that their manager's idea was to reboot their sound and style (1h8m12s).

Sponsors and Album Collaboration

• Brooks & Dunn have a contract with Al, who speaks fluent Brooks and has done great work, and they couldn't do it without him (1h8m15s).
• Today's podcast is sponsored by Boot Barn, America's largest Western retailer, which supports the cowboy and country lifestyles (1h8m27s).
• Boot Barn opened their first store in 1978 and now has over 400 stores nationwide, located throughout 48 states, and they open one new store a week across the United States (1h8m38s).
• Cody James Black 1978 boots are only available at Boot Barn, crafted with premium exotic skin, hand-laid cording detail, and classic Western stitching (1h8m52s).
• Listeners can visit bootbarn.com and use code Theo for 15% off one item through October 30th (1h9m17s).
• Today's episode is also brought to you by BetterHelp, an online therapy platform designed to be convenient, flexible, and suited to one's schedule (1h9m31s).
• BetterHelp allows users to fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist and switch therapists at any time for no additional charge (1h10m6s).
• Listeners can visit betterhelp.com/Tho to get 10% off their first month (1h10m34s).
• Brooks & Dunn worked with 18 artists who picked their own songs, and the duo had artistic creative license to do whatever they wanted with the songs (1h11m2s).
• Brooks & Dunn have not worked with these artists before, and everyone showed up with their own version of the song (1h10m52s).
• Brooks & Dunn have performed with various artists, including a tour in Afghanistan with Robin Williams, Lewis Black, and Kathleen Madigan (1h11m45s).

Performing with Comedians and Downtime

• Robin Williams impressed Brooks & Dunn with his energy and preparation before going on stage, pacing back and forth with a piece of paper containing notes (1h12m12s).
• Brooks & Dunn admire Lewis's professionalism and the way he makes his performances look easy, and they have learned a lot from him, who is also very entertaining and smart (1h12m26s).
• Lewis is known for being very funny, and his way of talking is humorous, making it enjoyable to listen to him (1h12m46s).
• Lewis has a giant bag full of airport Scotch bottles, which he carries around, and Brooks & Dunn find it amusing (1h13m3s).
• The duo thinks that being able to laugh and having a sense of humor has helped them over the years, especially in their line of work (1h13m33s).
• Many comedians have a dark side, and their humor often stems from anger or difficult experiences (1h13m47s).
• The duo acknowledges that there is a lot of downtime in their profession, which can be scary and affect people's mental health (1h14m8s).
• Brooks & Dunn recall their own experiences with Greyhound buses, which they describe as unpleasant and sometimes frightening (1h14m22s).
• One of them shares a story about a French woman who came to visit Nashville and ended up at the Greyhound bus station, where they had to rescue her due to the unsavory environment (1h14m47s).
• A person had a friend who took a Greyhound bus and Amtrak to travel, but the experience was vastly different between the two, with the Greyhound bus being rough and having people doing unusual things like testing pills on each other and selling 40-proof bath water, which the person tried and said had a peppermint snaps vibe (1h16m15s).
• The person mentions a comedian named Jerry Clower, who was a favorite of theirs, and another comedian named Brother Dave Gardner, who was known for his dark humor and was often referred to as the country Lenny Bruce (1h17m0s).
• Brother Dave Gardner was a comedian who used real dark humor and was very inappropriate, but without using a lot of foul language, and was admired by the person's dad (1h17m27s).
• The person never got to meet Jerry Clower, but did get to see Brother Dave Gardner perform, and has an album of his that is torn up from a dog chewing on it (1h17m47s).

Merle Haggard and Other Memories

• The person mentions going to the hospital with June Carter, who had a heart attack, and not being able to attend Merle Haggard's service, but did get to meet him and perform with him on tour in 2010 (1h18m20s).
• Merle Haggard was not very talkative and would often just smoke and observe people before opening up to them, but he did let the person know that he liked them (1h19m7s).
• Merle Haggard agreed to go on tour with the person, but only if they performed with him every night, which was a huge honor, but also challenging as he would often throw curveballs by choosing obscure songs to perform (1h19m17s).
• The person remembers one time when Merle Haggard chose a song called "Pitbull" to perform live, and they had to quickly learn it, and also recalls visiting Merle Haggard's bus one afternoon and finding him burning one down (1h19m42s).
• Brooks & Dunn have decided to quit after 20 years of working together without taking a break, and they think it's the best thing for them at this point in their lives (1h20m54s).

Brooks & Dunn's Decision to Quit and Future Endeavors

• Ronnie Dunn mentions that Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard made one album together, and Willie joked that they only had one hit (1h21m5s).
• Brooks & Dunn's decision to quit is not because of a lack of success, but because they feel it's time for a change, and they're at a point in their lives where they need to move on (1h21m28s).
• Ronnie Dunn has started exploring other interests, including acting, and has done some bit parts in movies, which he enjoys (1h21m57s).
• He also mentions that he started a vineyard 20 years ago, which has become an important part of his life (1h21m45s).
• Ronnie Dunn's son has studied film and has become a screenwriter, and Ronnie has collaborated with him on some projects (1h23m11s).
• Ronnie Dunn has also worked with Ernie Hudson, an actor from the original Ghostbusters movie, on a western film (1h23m20s).
• Acting and screenwriting have become enjoyable pursuits for Ronnie Dunn, and he's grateful to have had the opportunity to explore these interests (1h23m55s).
• Quentin Tarantino now writes movies for Hallmark, and it's impressive that Hallmark still produces a lot of movies despite many studios hardly making any movies anymore (1h24m2s).
• Brooks has been working on a movie with David Spade, who is known for his roles in Tommy Boy and Ghostbusters, and they plan to start filming on January 6th (1h24m22s).
• Brooks is feeling scared but also excited about the movie project, which is a normal feeling when trying something new (1h24m48s).
• Billy Bob Thornton, who wrote and directed Sling Blade, is an inspiration, and Brooks thinks it would be great to talk to him about his experiences (1h25m8s).
• Billy Bob Thornton and Dwight Yoakam worked together on Sling Blade, and Thornton edited the film in a small apartment in LA using old-school editing machines (1h25m31s).
• Brooks has been working with Dwight Yoakam on a Taylor Sheridan series and has also collaborated with him on some music projects (1h26m15s).
• Billy Bob Thornton has a band, and Brooks is interested in seeing them perform live (1h26m25s).
• Brooks' band opened for ZZ Top in the past, and Thornton's band, the Boxmasters, will be performing in the area soon (1h26m51s).
• Ronnie Dunn enjoys spending his free time writing songs, tinkering on his farm, and photography, and has been working with a photographer friend who used to work for Sports Illustrated (1h27m3s).
• A recent visit to the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) event was mentioned, with a discussion on how rodeos are great events to take family to, as there's always something to do (1h27m53s).

Brooks and Ronnie's Post-Music Career

• Ronnie Dunn has started exploring other interests, including acting, and has done some bit parts in movies, which he enjoys (1h21m57s).
• He also mentions that he started a vineyard 20 years ago, which has become an important part of his life (1h21m45s).
• Ronnie Dunn's son has studied film and has become a screenwriter, and Ronnie has collaborated with him on some projects (1h23m11s).
• Ronnie Dunn has also worked with Ernie Hudson, an actor from the original Ghostbusters movie, on a western film (1h23m20s).
• Acting and screenwriting have become enjoyable pursuits for Ronnie Dunn, and he's grateful to have had the opportunity to explore these interests (1h23m55s).
• Quentin Tarantino now writes movies for Hallmark, and it's impressive that Hallmark still produces a lot of movies despite many studios hardly making any movies anymore (1h24m2s).
• Brooks has been working on a movie with David Spade, who is known for his roles in Tommy Boy and Ghostbusters, and they plan to start filming on January 6th (1h24m22s).
• Brooks is feeling scared but also excited about the movie project, which is a normal feeling when trying something new (1h24m48s).
• Billy Bob Thornton, who wrote and directed Sling Blade, is an inspiration, and Brooks thinks it would be great to talk to him about his experiences (1h25m8s).
• Billy Bob Thornton and Dwight Yoakam worked together on Sling Blade, and Thornton edited the film in a small apartment in LA using old-school editing machines (1h25m31s).
• Brooks has been working with Dwight Yoakam on a Taylor Sheridan series and has also collaborated with him on some music projects (1h26m15s).
• Billy Bob Thornton has a band, and Brooks is interested in seeing them perform live (1h26m25s).
• Brooks' band opened for ZZ Top in the past, and Thornton's band, the Boxmasters, will be performing in the area soon (1h26m51s).
• Ronnie Dunn enjoys spending his free time writing songs, tinkering on his farm, and photography, and has been working with a photographer friend who used to work for Sports Illustrated (1h27m3s).
• A recent visit to the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) event was mentioned, with a discussion on how rodeos are great events to take family to, as there's always something to do (1h27m53s).
• The Prison Rodeo in Angola was discussed, with one person sharing their experience of attending the event and even performing there (1h28m11s).
• The Prison Rodeo features events such as "Busting Out," where six prisoners ride PBR bulls, and "Pinball," where prisoners stand in hula hoops and try to avoid bulls (1h28m25s).
• The Prison Rodeo is a unique event that happens twice a year, with 96 volunteers participating, and features a 20,000-seat arena (1h29m35s).

Global Reach of Brooks & Dunn's Music

• The event is open to the public, and the warden of the prison is a fascinating person who could be interviewed to learn more about the event (1h30m13s).
• Another rodeo event was mentioned, where breeders bring in rodeo stock, and local cowboy kids ride the horses to test their bucking ability, with auctions held throughout the day (1h30m51s).
• The event in Montana City features over 300 horses being ridden by the kids, with the day ending with the kids socializing and drinking whiskey (1h31m10s).
• Brooks & Dunn's music has been a fixture in many people's lives, and they wonder what other ethnicities and people have heard of them, as they have performed in various countries and languages (1h33m8s).
• The duo once recorded a promotional message for their song "Rock My World" in multiple languages, including Japanese, as part of a record company's idea to promote their music globally (1h33m40s).
• Ronnie Dunn's brother-in-law witnessed a commercial for Brooks & Dunn's song in a bar in Italy, where the patrons were captivated by the music, even though they didn't understand the lyrics (1h33m58s).
• Brooks & Dunn's music has reached a wide audience, including a young Vietnamese kid, which is what matters to them (1h34m26s).
• The duo is releasing a new album, which will come out on the 15th, and they will start touring heavily in February, March, and April, with a break in between (1h34m45s).
• After the initial tour, they will stop for a minute, and then pick up the tour again in June, with plans to perform in various locations, including the Congo (1h35m0s).
• Brooks & Dunn's music has been popular in many countries, including those in Asia, such as China, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, Korea, and Malaysia (1h32m32s).
• The duo's music has been a part of many people's lives, and they are curious to know how far their music has reached and what other people have heard of them (1h33m8s).
• Brooks & Dunn are selling their record and reboot, and they appreciate the support, expressing that it will change people's lives (1h35m28s).
• They feel lucky to have a job and appreciate the opportunity to talk, considering this one of their favorite episodes due to the easy conversation and good sense of humor (1h35m41s).
• Sometimes musicians don't talk much, and there's a reason they were handed an instrument, as seen with Tom Petty, who would often just want to play music during interviews (1h36m2s).
• Bill Blasser, a drummer, initially wanted to be a piano player but was given a drum set as a kid, which he played relentlessly until his parents replaced it with a bicycle (1h36m27s).
• Brooks & Dunn appreciate their fans and the years of support, and they invite them to come see their shows on tour (1h37m4s).
• The conversation ends with an appreciation for the fun time and the opportunity to talk, with Brooks & Dunn expressing their gratitude (1h37m15s).