14 Aug, 2009

Calling It Quits!

Brooks & Dunn are done.

Best-selling country duo Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn posted a message on their Website Monday saying they agreed to "call it a day" after 20 years of making music together.

"This ride has been everything and more than we could ever have dreamed ... We owe it all to you, the fans," they said in the message. "If you hear rumors, don't believe them, it's just time."

Brooks & Dunn will release a greatest-hits album on Sept. 8 and tour one last time in 2010.

The duo's many hits include "Boot Scootin' Boogie," "My Maria," "Red Dirt Road" and "Cowgirls Don't Cry" with Reba McEntire.

The men's label, Arista Nashville, said the group has sold more than 30 million albums.

Brooks, 54, and Dunn, 56, were struggling solo artists when Arista's Tim DuBois urged them to join forces in 1990. Together they've scored 23 No. 1 hits.

They've recorded 10 studio albums, the latest 2007's "Cowboy Town."

"They've been to the mountaintop and they've accomplished everything that two human beings joined together musically can do in a career," said Brian Philips, president of Country Music Television. "They've had every kind of hit. Literally, they've explored every musical texture and tempo and style and flavor."

CMT is scheduled to tape Brooks & Dunn performing and discussing their music Wednesday for an episode of the show "Invitation Only" to air in October.

Philips called the announcement of the split a complete surprise. He said he has no idea what they might do in the future, but he's certain it will involve music.

"The guys that I know, I can't imagine either of those two individuals walking away from music. That's unthinkable," Philip said.

The pair steeped itself in the mythical West (the duo's emblem is a sun-bleached steer's skull) and rode the charts with a driving honky-tonk sound. Brooks & Dunn took a turn with 2003's "Red Dirt Road" and often pay homage to their classic rock influences, including playing shows with the Rolling Stones and ZZ Top.

Brooks & Dunn won the Country Music Association's vocal duo of the year award every year between 1992 and 2006, except for 2000.

The CMA named the duo entertainer of the year in 1996.

Other country groups have called it quits only to reunite. The mother-daughter duo The

Judds split in 1991 but regrouped to tour and record years later.

Story and Photo: www.foxnews.com.

Acts 15:36-41 (English Standard Version)

Paul and Barnabas Separate

 36And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are." 37Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

What does God's Story scripture tell us about parting ways?

Most all of us have had friends with whom we've parted ways.  Some might have been due to a move.  Some might have been over a disagreement.  Some might have been simply because we started a new school year without any classes together.  Some might have simply grown apart because our interests changed.  It seems to be a reality of this life. 

In God's Story we see Paul and Barnabas part ways over a pretty serious disagreement.  But here's the cool part ... God multiplied the minsitry that would take place by divding the team of Paul and Barnabas.  After the division, there were two teams heading out to share Jesus with others.  God worked in the midst of their division.

How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
  • Read Acts 16 to see the ministry that God had in store for Paul and his new partner Silas.
  • Ask God if there might be another follower of Jesus in your life with whom you could partner this year at school.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
  • Have you parted ways with a friend in the past?  Did you part on good terms?  If you didn't, get in touch with them and make amends if you can.
  • Have you seen God work in new friendships when old ones faded?  Talk with those new friends about how God has worked in your friendship.
  • Begin praying for the new friendships that God might have in store for you when you head back to school.  Pray that God will give you a partner with whom you can, together, share God's Story with friends who need to hear it.
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