It was 25 minutes after Gretchen left the stage when Brooks & Dunn started their show with "You Can't Take The Honky Tonk Out of the Girl."
Brooks & Dunn's show is similar to what I've seen to a point. They sang a mixture of old hits like "Ain't Nothin' About You," "Brand New Man," "My Heart Is Lost To You," and new stuff like their latest single, "That's What It's All About."
During the show, there is always a section where Kix takes over the stage and talks to the audience, ending with performing one of the songs he sings lead on, "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone." This time, Kix told the story of being in Indianapolis and being challenged by the head of the Fair to ride in a donkey cart race. Kix thought, "Well, I have a farm, I know about horses, I ride. Sure thing, I'll do it." He said they had footage of it, and on the screen they played the race with him in a small cart being pulled by a miniature donkey. He seemed to be in the lead and crossed the finish line when the donkey decided he wasn't going to stop, even though Kix was pulling on the reins to stop him. The donkey veered off the track and ran underneath a rope separating the track from the side, and Kix tumbled out of the cart, nearly underneath a normal size horse who was hitched up to a wagon, who then proceeded to kick his foot behind him, narrowly missing Kix laying there on the ground. Everyone laughed, and Kix replayed it again, saying "Woah" at the appropriate time, and then "Don't kick!" He ended up fine after the incident, but kidded everyone that they were hurting his feelings about getting beat up by a 2 ft donkey.
The other part of the show that is something that is done all the time is my favorite part. This is when Ronnie straps on his "Neon Moon" guitar and sings the song. At this time the lights are lowered at first so everyone can see the neon moon lighting up on his guitar.
As Kix has his part of the show where he talks to the audience, Ronnie has his part as well. He told the story of forgetting Valentine's Day, and he was out on the road, and called his Secretary and she said "I know, I know.. you forgot again." He says "Yeah.. buy her a car. If the car doesn't work, stop by the jewelry store and buy something."
Ronnie then said his wife called Dr. Phil, and Dr. Phil gave him some books to read, and cds to listen to. He said he gives them to Kix to read and then has him hand him notes. Kix then replies "Bullshit." This was the lead in to "That's What It's All About."
Another part of the show that is unchanged is when they sing "Rock My World (Little Country Girl)" with the blow up cowgirls. They are about 15 ft tall and riding on some saddles while the guys sing. They split the audience down the middle and Ronnie's side sings "Rock My World," and Kix's side sings "Little Country Girl," each side trying to be louder than the other side. It's great fun. I always seem to be on Kix's side when I go. I don't think I've ever been on Ronnie's side in the six times I've seen them.
That closed out the show, but the guys came back for their encore, which was the wonderful patriotic song "Only in America." I think the best part is when they have the Marines marching up on the stage during the song, then of course it's confetti and streamers all over. I don't envy the cleaning crew after the Brooks & Dunn show. It's messy but so much fun. I'll always see them whenever they come around.
Here is the full set list:
- You Can't Take The Honky Tonk Out Of The Girl
- Ain't Nothin' About You
- Brand New Man
- She's Not The Cheating Kind
- Feels Good Don't It
- Mama Don't Get Dressed Up For Nothin'
- How Long Gone
- You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone
- My Heart Is Lost To You
- Neon Moon
- Hard Workin' Man
- That's What She Gets For Loving Me
- That's What It's All About
- Red Dirt Road
- My Maria
- Boot Scootin' Boogie
- Rock My World (Little Country Girl)
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Encore:
- Only In America
Gretchen Wilson's show -- Brooks & Dunn's show