It was a night steeped in tradition and triumph as Brooks & Dunn once again claimed Duo of the Year at the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards. Under the brilliant lights and roaring applause, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks proved β with charm, humility, and a touch of rowdy flair β that legends never fade, they just keep getting better with time.
Taking the stage with familiar ease, Ronnie Dunn offered a heartfelt nod to the next generation of country duos β Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Muscadine Bloodline, and The War and Treaty β before grounding the moment with quiet sincerity.
βWeβve been doing this a long time,β Dunn said, his voice steady. βAnd not for one second have we ever taken it for granted. God bless country music and America.β
No frills, no flash β just the kind of reverence that comes from decades of sweat, soul, and songs that have stood the test of time.
Then came Kix Brooks, ever the firestarter, lighting up the room with his trademark grin and infectious energy:
βGod bless all you maniacs partying up here on the hill. Thanks for paying our rent for the last 30 years!β
The crowd roared. It was classic Brooks & Dunn β equal parts honest gratitude and honky-tonk joy, reminding everyone that their bond with fans isnβt a gimmick β itβs gospel.
The award was presented by Kristian Bush of Sugarland, stepping in solo with warmth and humor after Jennifer Nettles was sidelined by illness. Even so, the moment didnβt lose a step. It carried the weight of history and the easy rhythm of two men whoβve walked this road before β and still make it feel brand new.
With each return to the ACM stage, Brooks & Dunn continue to prove that theyβre not just a legendary act β theyβre a pillar of country musicβs soul. Their music, laced with grit and heart, isnβt just part of the past β itβs what keeps the genre grounded as it looks toward the future.
πΆ In a year of shifting sounds and evolving voices, Brooks & Dunn stood tall β not just as winners, but as reminders of what country music is built on: heart, heritage, and the roar of a crowd that still knows every word.