12 August 2026

Brooks & Dunn will celebrate 35 years of their highly-influential, culture-defining debut album with a first-ever vinyl pressing of “BRAND NEW MAN”, out Oct. 23. The announcement arrives as the Country Music Hall of Famers prepare for a special Grand Ole Opry appearance tonight. The show honours the album’s 35th anniversary and the enduring legacy of the record that launched one of country music’s most celebrated careers. The watershed album didn’t just introduce the world to Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, but set a new bar for showmanship and songwriting. Thirty-five years after its release, the album’s songs remain fixtures of country culture, continuing to connect with longtime fans while finding new audiences around the world. Yet since it was first released in the cassette era, listeners have never heard it like this. The album that started it all Originally released on August 13, 1991, “BRAND NEW MAN” featured 10 self-penned standouts from a distinctive pair of young singer-songwriters. The pair went on to become Country Music Hall of Famers and one of country music’s most beloved duos. Matching revved up rock ‘n’ roll swagger with pure-country song craft and vocal originality, it sparked a career filled with chart-topping hits, sold-out tours and even a line-dance revival, underpinning three-plus decades as the most iconic duo in country history. “When we released “BRAND NEW MAN”, we were two songwriters trying to make the best record we could and hoping people would connect with it,” Kix Brooks shares. “To see those songs still finding their way to new fans 35 years later is something we never could have imagined. Getting to finally put this album on vinyl and celebrate where it all started is pretty special.” “We never set out to make a record that would still be talked about 35 years later. We were just two crazy guys chasing the Nashville dream,” Ronnie Dunn says. “The fans are the reason these songs have lasted. Seeing the younger generation connect with them is what keeps it exciting. “BRAND NEW MAN” will always be a special part of our story.” Four Number One hits and a lasting legacy Produced by Don Cook and Scott Hendricks, “BRAND NEW MAN” dominated the country charts through the early ‘90s with four consecutively-released Number One hits, “Brand New Man,” “Neon Moon,” “My Next Broken Heart,” and “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” As a testament to the duo’s artistic quality, the 10 tracks were all penned or co-penned by at least one Brooks & Dunn member. The album landed in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Country Album chart and inside the Top 10 on the all-genre Billboard 200. This was before going on to become RIAA certified 7X PLATINUM. It inspired legions of fans and multiple generations of country artists, who still cite Brooks & Dunn’s influence today. Reaching a new generation of country fans That influence remains as visible as ever. Going on to release 12 studio albums, Brooks & Dunn remain one of country’s most vital acts. In recent years, the duo has embraced collaboration with a new generation of artists through the trailblazing REBOOT and REBOOT II projects. They continue the tradition with upcoming features on rising star Zach John King‘s debut album and Riley Green‘s anticipated new album. Fresh off a series of stadium dates alongside Morgan Wallen on the Still The Problem Tour 2026, the duo shows no signs of slowing down. More than three decades after its release, songs from “BRAND NEW MAN” continue to reach new audiences. Songs such as “Neon Moon” have been regularly resurfacing through viral social media trends and fan-driven moments online. The NEON MOON TOUR continues Looking ahead, Brooks & Dunn has extended their headlining NEON MOON TOUR with nationwide dates beginning Sept. 10 through Oct. 9. The duo continue to see the real-time impact of their work. Earning the CMA Vocal Duo of the Year trophy for the last two years running, and ACM Duo of the Year honors for the last two years as well, Brooks & Dunn are now the most-awarded artists in CMA history. They have also taken home 18 ACM awards.