Kix Brooks goes solo on 'New To This Town'

Kix Brooks left his native Louisiana for Nashville, Tennessee in the early 1980s to pursue a solo career in Country music. That idea was sidelined when producer Tim DuBois teamed him with Ronnie Dunn to form the duo Brooks & Dunn. Brooks’ career has come full circle with his return to being a solo act.

The title track to Kix Brooks’ new solo album “New To This Town” features Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh. Brooks also brought in Rascal Flatts member Jay DeMarcus to co-produce the collection.

Brooks recorded his first solo album in 1989. The following year, he began a 20-year partnership with Ronnie Dunn in one of Country music’s most popular duos, Brooks & Dunn. In 2009, Brooks and Dunn announced they were going their separate ways after performing a farewell tour in 2010.

Brooks played lead guitar and sang harmony vocals in Brooks & Dunn. Although he was ready to rediscover his own sound, he admits he was nervous about performing solo for the first time in more than two decades and the response he’d get from the millions of Brooks & Dunn fans. Brooks happily reports that he sees many familiar faces at his concerts.

“She Knew I Was A Cowboy” is one of only two ballads Brooks included on “New To This Town.” The rest of the album leans toward blues and Country-Rock. Brooks describes the collection as having a barroom feel.

"I made an album that really is close to my heart, and it's a whole lot of fun. For the most part, the music is kind of fun and games and thinking about getting to play again," he said. "People come to enjoy themselves, and I think this album in a lot of ways is about that.”

Brooks recently made his solo debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville.

Upcoming shows include an appearance at Dierks Bentley’s “Miles and Music For Kids” benefit in Nashville. The annual motorcycle ride and concert raises money for children’s hospitals. Brooks will also perform at the Veteran’s Day “Salute To Soldiers” event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.