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CMA Songwriter's Series at Joe's Pub in NYC
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7/18/2007 |
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Kix Brooks took time out of his busy schedule to travel to New York City and participate in the CMA Songwriter's Series at Joe's Pub.
Photo by: Susan Dietrick
CMA Songwriter's Series Website |
New Brooks & Dunn Album
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7/17/2007 |
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Brooks & Dunn's new album, "Cowboy Town" is scheduled to be released on October 2, 2007. The first single, "Proud of the House We Built" is already climbing the charts. Contact your local country stations and help this song climb the charts to #1.
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Arrington Vineyards Opens in Tennessee
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7/16/2007 |
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Arrington Vineyard & Winery Website
"Arrington Vineyards & Winery is owned and operated by Kix Brooks, Fred Mindermann, and Kip Summers. The onsite winery produces a number of outstanding california-style wines, and our unique Tasting Lodge, built of rustic timbers and Tennessee fieldstone, features a tasting area, gift shop, VIP room for special functions, and breathtaking deck views."
If you're going to be visiting the Nashville area take time out to visit Arrington Vineyard & Winery. Information and directions can be found on the Arrington Vineyard website. |
Kix Brooks Participates in the Andy Griggs Archery Tournament at the CMA Festival Sports Zone
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6/8/2006 |
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Kix Brooks surprised fans by making an unannounced visit to the CMA Festival Sports Zone on Thursday June 8th. He showed up in his ball cap ready to compete with fellow country stars in the Annual Andy Griggs Celebrity Archery Tournament. Kix signed autographs and posed for photos with a few lucky fans before he headed off to the coliseum to prepare for Brooks & Dunn's evening performance.
Photos of the archery tournament. |
Country duo announces two-year deal
at Las Vegas Hilton
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5/22/2006 |
By TOM GARDNER (Associated Press) |
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LAS VEGAS (AP) - They won't just be showing up for rodeo week in Las Vegas any more. Country music duo Brooks & Dunn announced a two-year contract Monday with the Las Vegas Hilton.
"It's really exciting. The Hilton has given us an opportunity to play more than once a year," Kix Brooks said at a news conference. "I'm really looking forward to a little more Las Vegas."
In addition to their National Finals Rodeo performance Dec. 4-6, Brooks said he and Ronnie Dunn would perform at the Hilton hotel-casino in March and July next year, then return for the rodeo in December 2007.
The announcement came on the eve of the 41st Academy of Country Music awards at the MGM Grand. Brooks & Dunn are nominated in five categories and have won 19 ACM trophies - more than any other artist. Their current album "Hillbilly Deluxe" peaked at No. 1 and has gone gold, selling more than 500,000 copies.
Asked if they would adjust their high-energy performance for Las Vegas, Dunn jokingly replied, "We're reading the Wayne Newton books now." Then quickly added, "Nah, we're going to do the Brooks & Dunn show."
Brooks noted shows range in Las Vegas from four Cirque du Soleil presentations to Newton, to Broadway ("Mamma Mia!" and "Hairspray"), to David Copperfield and Celine Dion.
"Audiences here come from all over the world. They're so hip, you can do your thing here," Brooks said.
The duo was introduced Monday by Reba McEntire, who performed at the Hilton earlier this month and will host Tuesday's awards show (8 p.m. PDT on CBS) for the eighth time.
"It is my great pleasure to introduce these guys to the Hilton family," McEntire said. |
Growing a Business
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4/19/2006 |
By MINDY TATE, Editor: Williamson Herald
mtate@williamsonherald.com
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The first time Fred Mindermann saw the 26-acre tract on Patton Road, it was eight-foot high in weeds, but this wine lover could see through the overgrown farmland to a vision for a new Williamson County winery.
That vision is continuing to grow at Arrington Vineyards, formerly known as Firefly Vineyards, where last Saturday dozens of friends and family gathered to help Mindermann and his partners, Kip Summers and Kix Brooks, plant acres of land with grapes for future vintages.
Summers is the winemaker at Beachaven Winery and Vineyards in Clarksville, where he has been for 12 years.
Arrington Vineyards stretches across 75 acres on both sides of Patton Road, cobbled together from the original 26 acres Mindermann bought about three years ago, Summers said, with two other sites that have become available since that time.
“Fred Mindermann found the site about three years ago in a little ad in The Review Appeal,” Summers said. “It was an estate sale and the man’s brother was selling it. Fred drove out to the property and at the time it was grown up with eight foot of weeds so he couldn’t see anything.
“Then the man took him to the top of a hill and Fred could see the Harpeth River valley, and he knew he wanted to get it,” Summers said of the property, which included a small farmhouse which has since been turned into vineyard office.
The property was expanded in fall 2003, when the property next door — which included a house and 15 acres — became available.
That’s when country music star Kix Brooks became involved, since he and Mindermann go to church together.
Mindermann has a vineyard at his Concord Road home and has bottled wine from that, according to previous news reports.
Summers said originally the winery was to be known as Firefly Vineyards, but they ran into a trademark issue with an Australian wine, now available locally.
“We chose the name Firefly Vineyards originally because the first spring we camped out on property there were trillions of fireflies on the property,” he said. “There is no point in us trying to keep the name Firefly because it will confuse everyone.
“We are just changing the name now to Arrington Vineyards,” he said, adding the trademark paperwork has been submitted. “It is where we are located, where we are and no other beverage brand out there that resembles it or sounds like it.”
Many Tennessee wines are sweet, but Summers and his partners want the wines from Arrington Vineyards to be different.
“First of all, we don’t want to be known for just one kind of wine,” he said. “We want people with different tastes to be able to come in and find something they like. We are not concentrating on sweet wines like many Tennessee wineries, but instead something more in the European and California-style wines.”
The six or seven types of grapes being planted are used in making some of the world’s familiar wines, such as chardonnay or merlot, Summers said.
“What we are doing is planting grapes that have a track record in North Carolina and Virginia, places that have similar climates, and do well in making classic European or California wines,” Summers said.
Arrington Vineyards actually has made its first wine, Summers said, but from grapes from other locations due to the immaturity of the vines on the property.
“The first vintage we made at Beachaven, we made last year and that was made from grapes that we purchased from the state and all over everywhere,” Summers said. “We made that for Arrington last year so we will have a vintage to bottle this fall. It won’t be made from grapes from there, although we will have a smaller crop next year from some of the older vines on the property.”
Other plans for 2006 include opening a temporary tasting room and office on the property, but Summers said since Arrington Vineyards was the first winery in Williamson County, they are working through the codes process with government officials.
“The winery is going to be built in phases,” he said. “The first phase will be the production facility that will house all wine-making facilities.” |
CMA announces
"Keep the Music Playing" charitable program
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4/12/2006 |
By PETER COOPER and LINDA ZETTLER
Tennessean Staff Writers
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The festival that brings music to the riverfront and The Coliseum each June soon will help bring music to area public schools.
At a press conference this morning at the Nashville School of the Arts, the Country Music Association announced a change in the way it handles charitable money generated through its annual CMA Music Festival.
CMA board member Kix Brooks of country super duo Brooks & Dunn was at the press conference, along with Mayor Bill Purcell and members of Nashville’s civic, education, business and music communities as the CMA laid out its “Keep the Music Playing” plan.
The charity program will funnel the festival’s annual charity donation to the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, which will help purchase instruments for students in public schools.
A projected $300,000 from the 2006 CMA Music Festival will go to the program.
The step is indicative of the CMA’s goal of making the annual country music festival more community-oriented.
“We felt like it was time, this being music city, to reach out to Nashville,” Brooks said during the press conference.
Marty Dickens, president of BellSouth in Tennessee, added, “It’s Music City for all kinds of music, but the heart, the headliner, is country music.” He appealed to the business community to be more supportive of the festival: “We’ve got to get behind this thing. We’ve got to step it up.”
CMA Music Festival, formerly named Fan Fair, this year will be June 8-11 in downtown Nashville. Among the many performers already announced for this year are Brooks & Dunn, Trisha Yearwood, Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes, Brad Paisley and Martina McBride. |
First TN Statue Memorializing Black Troops
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2/18/2006 |
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NASHVILLE -- In the Civil War's Battle of Nashville, fought over two wintry days in late 1864, U.S. Colored Troops joined their white Union colleagues in hard combat to repel one of the South's last desperate thrusts northward into Union-held territory.
Just over 141 years later, in a state where monuments to Confederate troops stand on scores of courthouse squares, Tennessee's first statue memorializing the U.S. Colored Troops was dedicated Saturday, Feb. 18.
The bronze statue overlooks the graves of 1,910 black Union troops at the Nashville National Cemetery, established in 1866 to inter more than 15,000 Union war dead.
Nashville's African-American Cultural Alliance spearheaded the fund-raising effort. Donations ranged from $1 donations from local school children to "substantial donations" from country music star Kix Brooks,
Oprah Winfrey's father, Nashville barber Vernon Winfrey, and others.
The Tennessee Historical Commission added $15,000.
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Brooks & Dunn Rock the Rolling Stones Crowd
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Duo Play Something Country as Stones' Opening Act in Omaha |
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1/30/2006 |
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| OMAHA, Neb. -- Don't let the jeans and cowboy hats fool you.
Brooks & Dunn know how to rock.
At first, it seems odd that a band synonymous with rock music would invite a country group to open for them. But after listening to the chart-topping country duo's 45-minute set at Sunday's (Jan. 29) sold-out Rolling Stones concert at the Qwest Center Omaha, it's clear that the pairing of Brooks & Dunn and the Stones is a combination that works.
Brooks & Dunn kicked off the night with a rousing version of "Red Dirt Road," which prompted a group of fans near the front of the stage to rise to their feet, dance and clap along to the music.
While many concertgoers were still finding their seats, Brooks & Dunn -- accompanied by an eight-piece band and three backing singers -- followed that first song with an upbeat "You Can't Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl."
As more fans filed into the arena, the duo fired off a string of hits even non-country music fans could appreciate, especially since some featured electric guitar solos.
There were solid renditions of "Ain't Nothing 'Bout You" and "She's Not the Cheatin' Kind." There was the lovely, lonesome "Neon Moon," which proved to be a crowd pleaser, evoking loud cheers and applause.
"That's pretty good for a Rolling Stones concert," Ronnie Dunn said. "Maybe we're crossing over."
While Dunn sang lead on most of the songs, Kix Brooks -- wearing a black cowboy hat and Western shirt -- handled vocal duties on "Mama Don't Get Dressed Up for Nothing."
During that song, Dunn -- clad in jeans, a white shirt and brown jacket -- banged a cowbell and tossed about a half-dozen drumsticks into the sea of fans.
Thankfully, no one's eye was put out.
During "Brand New Man," the lyric "Oh how I used to roam, I was a rolling stone" generated huge cheers from the audience.
The crowd's energy continued to rise during lively performances of "Play Something Country" and "Boot Scootin' Boogie."
"Sing it if you know it," Dunn told the crowd.
Most didn't but danced nonetheless.
Before launching into the final song of their set, "My Maria," Dunn told the audience he was "awfully proud" to share the stage with the Rolling Stones.
The 16,000 fans at the sold-out show paid as much as $350 each for premium seats to see the Stones, who offered a hit-filled set that lasted almost two hours. While Brooks & Dunn didn't win everyone over, it's a good bet the duo gained some new fans with the entertaining set they delivered.
Niz Proskocil is pop music writer for the Omaha-World Herald . |
Country's Kix Brooks Takes On Radio
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Half of Duo Brooks & Dunn will Host 'American Country Countdown' |
The Associated Press - 01/19/2006 |
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - No danger of Kix Brooks running out of material when he takes over as host of ABC Radio's “American Country Countdown” this week.
As half of the hit country music duo Brooks & Dunn, he sees a lot more behind-the-scenes stuff than most country-music experts.
Like this tidbit about John Rich of Big & Rich:
“John recently had his 32nd birthday party with six Playboy bunnies and a naked fruit lady,” Brooks said.
It's those insider stories that drew producers to Brooks, who's sold 28 million records and scored 23 No. 1 hits with his musical partner, Ronnie Dunn. He makes his debut on Saturday's program.
It helps that Brooks likes to talk. While taping an interview with singer Carrie Underwood, he couldn't keep from ribbing her about a disclaimer she included on her debut album, “Some Hearts.”
Underwood was worried fans might get the wrong idea about “Before He Cheats,” a dark song about a woman so angry with her boyfriend that she takes a key to the side of his car.
Brooks had a field day with it: “I like how you keyed somebody's car in that song — and you seem like such a nice person.”
“I never actually keyed anybody's car,” Underwood shot back, laughing.
Brooks: “I know, but ... you went on a little bit too long about it. ... By the time you got done I was like 'Wow, she really did key somebody's car.”'
The syndicated “American Country Countdown” runs down Billboard magazine's Top-40 country songs. ABC promotes it as the longest-running and most-listened to countdown show in the nation, with more than 400 radio stations broadcasting it.
Brooks replaces longtime host Bob Kingsley on the weekly, four-hour program.
“He knows the music. He knows the songs. He knows the people. He knows the life. But especially, he knows the stories — and the artists and fans just seem to take him places they wouldn't most other people,” said John McConnell, senior vice president of ABC Radio Networks.
This gig isn't completely new to Brooks. He has a degree in communications and once worked as an overnight disc jockey in Portland, Maine. Over the years, he and Dunn have been guests on many, many radio programs, including this one.
Brooks admits he was often envious of the hosts.
“It was a little frustrating doing those shows where you get to talk about your record and maybe one other and then you've got to leave,” he said. “I'd be sitting there looking at the list and thinking, 'Man, I wish I could talk about what we did on tour together back in '98'.”
But he promises to use some restraint as well. He says there's a fine line to tread and, as a performer, he has a pretty good idea where that is.
“Obviously, I don't want to delve into people's personal lives where I don't have any business, but at the same time there is a lot of stuff that goes on in the performance of it and things that happen that are a lot of fun and that people tell stories on all the time.”
People like Brooks.
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Kix Brooks adds DJ to his resume
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By Mark Price |
12/25/2005 |
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Kix Brooks has been named CMA's Entertainer of the Year four times as a member of Brooks & Dunn, so it's unexpected news that he'll replace Bob Kingsley next month on "American Country Countdown."
Granted, it's only four hours work a week, but Brooks is past needing the fame and fees associated with hosting a show heard round the world.
We recently spoke with him and asked if Brooks & Dunn fans need to worry.
Q. So, does this mean you're quitting Brooks & Dunn for a real job?
Yeah, I'm stopping everything else, but this (laughing). No, it's kind of a fun thing. Brooks & Dunn doesn't take a back seat to anything, no matter how busy I am. The show will be taping on Tuesdays and 90 percent of the time, Brooks & Dunn is out on the road on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For my schedule, this works out great.
Q. What were you doing on Tuesdays?
I was playing golf, hunting and going four-wheeling at the farm. This is cutting into fun time.
Q. How'd you get so lucky?
I'd never have sought this job. They came to me a couple of months ago. Bob Kingsley is a dear friend of mine. I'd never have competed with him. They assured me they wanted to move on and I was the person they wanted. I guess they think that I bring a peek behind the curtains, in terms of what it's like making and performing music on the road.
Q. What's your biggest worry?
I'm not traditionally what you think of as a countdown host. I have no experience at doing this. I feel like Dennis Miller going into "Monday Night Football" and I hope to be more successful.
Q. Who among your friends will be the first guest?
It will depend on which country artists are in the countdown. I've already talked to some celebrities, like Dr. Phil. I'm doing his show, so I told him, `We'll do your show if you'll do mine.' I'm going to interview James Denton from "Desperate Housewives," too. I met him at some award shows, and he's from Nashville, so I asked him. You know, he was once engaged to Deana Carter?
Q. Who in Nashville hasn't been engaged to Deana Carter?
Huh?
Q. Never mind. Think you'll eventually host a game show?
A game show? (Laughing). Please stop me. I don't see myself as a talking head, as much as sharing my life with people. I'm not into game shows.
Q. Not yet, anyway. (Silence)
Q. Never mind. So, what would lure you away from music?
I don't want to be lured away. We're already putting together next year's tour and I'm excited about both writing songs and getting ready for the next album. We can't rest on our laurels. I know our songs like "Brand New Man," "Neon Moon" and "Boot Scootin' Boogie" have aged well, but if we don't come up with something different, people will move on and buy someone else's CDs. I've thrown a lot of songs in the trash, not because they were bad, but because they sounded like something we'd done before. That's challenging and exciting for an artist. |
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