8 Songs You Didn’t Know Was Written By Ronnie Dunn
Born June 1, 1953, Ronnie Dunn is known for his distinct voice and incredible country songs that have won over fans since his career began in the early 1980s. Although he initially tried to break into the industry as a solo artist, his career skyrocketed shortly after joining the creative forces of Kix Brooks in 1990.
In 1991, Brooks & Dunn’s debut album brand new man became a massive hit, spawning four consecutive No. 1 singles and establishing them as one of the genre’s most impressive new acts. Since then, the duo has released 11 studio albums, earned 20 No. 1 hits and been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Now, with careers spanning over 30 years, the duo are back on the road. Brooks & Dunn’s 2022 Reboot Tour runs until the end of June and includes support from a rising lineup of country acts including Tenille Townes, Jordan Davis, Tyler Braden and Dillon Carmichael.
While most country fans know him simply as one half of that beloved country duo, Dunn has also released four solo albums since 2011 and even started his own label, Little Will-E Records. You may not know that Dunn is also an accomplished songwriter and has written or co-written the majority of Brooks and Dunn’s best-known hits including “Neon Moon”, “Red Dirt Road”, “She’s Not the Cheatin’ Kind” and “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” With so many incredible songs to his name, it’s no surprise that other country talents have been clamoring to record their own original tracks penned by the Texas native.
Let’s listen to 8 songs written by Ronnie Dunn and recorded by other country artists:
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“Wild Women and Whiskey”
Saved by Easton Corbin
This pop-country tune written by Dunn and Terry McBryde doubles down on the standard lyrical imagery of honky tonk. Easton Corbin cut the track from his third studio album About to get Real, which he released in 2015.
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“Don’t go, I think I love you”
Saved by Toby Keith
Toby Keith wrote the plea “Don’t Leave, I Think I Love You” with Ronnie Dunn and included it on his eighth studio album, Shock’n Y’allreleased in 2003.
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“I Keep Loving You”
Saved by Reba McEntire
Another Dunn and Terry McBride co-write, “I Keep On Lovin’ You” was released as the third single from Reba McEntire’s 2010 album keep loving you and became a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Chart of hot country songs.
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“Stable as She Goes”
Saved by Wade Hayes
Oklahoma native Wade Hayes included “Steady As She Goes,” which Dunn wrote with Kix Brooks and Don Cook, on his breakthrough 1955 debut album. Old enough to know better.
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“Darned If I Don’t (Danged If I Do)”
Saved by Shenandoah
Written by Dunn and George Strait hitmaker Dean Dillon, “Darned If I Don’t (Danged If I Do)” became a huge hit for country band Shenandoah in 1995. The second single from their album Close to the Heart peaked at No. 4 on the country charts and earned them a nomination for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 1995 Grammy Awards.
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“Our time is drawing near”
Saved by Wade Hayes
Written by Dunn and Kix Brooks, the hopeful track ‘Our Time is Coming’ was recorded by Wade Hayes for his hit 1996 album On a good night.
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“Drink Until I See Double”
Recorded by Ray Wylie Hubbard ft. Paula Nelson & Elizabeth Cook
Filled with lyrical imagery, this collaboration of Ray Wylie Hubbard, Paula Nelson and Elizabeth Cook was written by Hubbard and Dunn. The tune was recorded and included on Hubbard’s 2020 All-Star Collaborative Record Co-starred.
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“No U in Oklahoma”
Saved by Reba McEntire
McEntire told The Boot that her song “No U In Oklahoma” was first inspired by a pun she heard from a friend. It wasn’t until she shared the idea with Ronnie Dunn that the track finally came together and was eventually recorded for his 2019 album, louder than the truth.