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New kid Kix Brooks readies debut single

Friday, February 17, 2012 – Kix Brooks will release his first Arista Nashville solo single, New To This Town to radio on March 19. After spending 20 years as one half of Brooks & Dunn, the most successful duo in country music history, Brooks is heading in his own direction.

"It's a freedom of sorts," said Brooks about Brooks & Dunn coming to an end. "It's not a bitter freedom by any means, just sort of a 'well that was fun, now what?' Sort of like being at a theme park and looking around after riding the same roller coaster you finally say, 'Ok I think I'll try that one over there.'"

The single features Joe Walsh and was co-written by Brooks and friends Marv Green (Brooks & Dunn's Proud Of The House We Built) and Terry McBride (Brooks & Dunn hits If You See Him/If You See Her and Play Something Country).

"After a couple phone calls, and the sending of a music file across the internet, the man himself put his stamp on New To This Town like only Joe Walsh could."

"It paints the powerful emotion we've all known, of lost love and the uncomfortable situation of running in to that person again," Brooks said.

Dunn released his first solo CD since the break-up last year.

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CD reviews

New to This Town CD review - New to This Town
With no disrespect to Kix Brooks, but back when he was half of the super successful Brooks & Dunn, this diminutive one sometimes seemed to be Andrew Ridgeley to George Michaels; he was Oates to Hall. Hopefully, though, the wonderful new "New to This Town" will put that stereotype to rest. Brooks was also the humorous, gregarious side of Brooks & Dunn, which starkly contrasted Ronnie's many times uptight, shy stage presence. There's little that's overly serious on »»»
#1s ... and then some CD review - #1s ... and then some
Brooks & Dunn are the most popular duo in country history racking up lots of hits and awards, but they amicably called it a career with plans to go their separate ways after a farewell 2010 tour. This two-CD set contains 30 songs, but aside from 2 new songs, there's not much reason to buy this set. The quality certainly is there as 20 of the songs reached the top of the chart. The new songs - both were released as singles - were Honky Tonk Stomp, featuring ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, and Indian Summer. »»»
Cowboy Town CD review - Cowboy Town
If your idea of a cowboy is Cowboy Troy and the guys from Big & Rich, then sure, this new Brooks & Dunn album is named appropriately. For it's the city-bred hat crowd that the majority of these songs are aimed at or at least the women that married them. Their last couple of albums saw them gain some critical acclaim with songs like the stirring "Believe," but there's nothing that immediately memorable here. Instead, we get the fuzzy current events theology of, "God Must Be »»»
Editorial: Walking the talk – When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: Size doesn't matter to Winslow-King – Luke Winslow-King may have a fine new CD out ("The Coming Tide") on a long respected indie country/roots label (Bloodshot), but that didn't mean the throngs were going to fill the club. In fact, in a second night of shows in the Boston area, Winslow-King drew a handful of people. Well, make that literally two handfuls of people. As in 10 people.... »»»
Concert Review: McGraw has plenty of fight left – Despite the fact that Tim McGraw is five years sober, fit as a triathlete and touring behind a number one album, he is still in an unenviable position. As he approaches 50, McGraw has to stay a step ahead of the current crop of young country hunks with TV shows, cross format radio airplay and wider appeal. But as he proved at First Niagara's... »»»
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