While spending years trying to break into country music, Morgan Wallen, like many before him, continuously stumbled along the way. But unlike most, Wallen never quit pursuing the spotlight. Eventually, he found himself standing on stage in front of thousands thanks to hit songs like “Whiskey Glasses” and “Thinkin’ Bout Me.” Proud of what he accomplished over the last few years, the country singer looked ahead to 2025 and kicking off the Sand In My Boots music festival. Not wanting to perform alone, it appears that Wallen welcomed Brooks & Dunn to the festival lineup. And according to Brooks & Dunn, Wallen is just “one of the guys.”
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With Wallen new to country music, Brooks & Dunn spent decades exploring the music industry and working with stars like Sheryl Crow, Reba McEntire, Billy Gibbons, and even Vince Gill. But when speaking to American Songwriter, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks couldn’t help but shower Wallen with praise. Dunn insisted, “Wallen couldn’t be any nicer. He’s one of the guys.” Pausing for a moment, Dunn added, “That’s it.”
As for Brooks, he focused on Wallen’s talents as a songwriter. “I love those songs. I won’t say every song kills me, but he has a handful of songs that kill me.”
Following that same thought, Dunn declared, “As a songwriter, he has our attention for sure. In a good way.”
Brooks & Dunn on Morgan Wallen’s Image
With a rich understanding of what it’s like to be in the spotlight, Brooks also discussed Wallen’s legal troubles. While making headlines over the last few years, in April, Wallen found himself on the wrong side of the law when he threw a chair off the rooftop of a bar in Nashville. And looking back over the years, in 2016, he was arrested and charged with a DUI. Although not a great look for Wallen, Brooks noted, “He’s gotten himself in trouble like young people who probably had this kind of fame poured all over him. He probably got overserved and did some stuff he probably regrets.”
Not wanting Wallen to feel alone, Dunn interjected, revealing that other country legends like Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings also found trouble when dealing with the spotlight, “Like Johnny Cash, Waylon?” Dunn stated. Sharing a laugh together, he declared, “It runs through the business.”
Adding his own stories to the conversations, Brooks joked, “There’s been plenty of nights that I woke up the next day and went ‘what did we do? I’m glad we’re on a bus and 400 miles away.’”
Excited about the Sand In My Boots music festival, Brooks & Dunn will travel to Gulf Shores, Alabama on May 16 to perform alongside other artists like Post Malone, Diplo, T-Pain, 3 Doors Down, and many more.
(Featured Image via American Songwriter)
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