Julius
12-20-2005, 07:42 PM
http://www.comcast.net/entertainment/index.jsp?cat=ENTERTAINMENT&fn=/2005/12/20/287951.html
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - One of country's hardest rock bands will open for one of rock's hardest country bands. Brooks & Dunn will warm up for the Rolling Stones in Omaha, Neb., Jan. 29.
"We've thrown around the concept of opening for the Stones forever," singer Ronnie Dunn said Tuesday. "I can't believe we're doing it."
When the duo got word of the invitation from their manager, they were told not to call or tell anyone until it was final.
"Of course, we started calling our friends as fast as we could as soon as we walked out of the room," he said.
Though billed as the world's greatest rock and roll band, the Stones have drawn from country music over much of their storied career. Their early 1970s albums "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main Street," in particular, had strong country influences often attributed to Keith Richards' friendship with Gram Parsons of the Flying Burrito Brothers and previously of The Byrds.
Over the years, Richards has worked with George Jones and Willie Nelson, and the Stones _ individually or collectively _ have covered songs by Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, the Everly Brothers and others.
Country artists in turn recorded a tribute to the Rolling Stones in 1997 called "Stone Country," which had artists like Tracy Lawrence singing "Paint It Black," Sammy Kershaw "Angie" and Colin Raye "Brown Sugar."
Like many country performers, Kix Brooks said he and Dunn grew up listening to the Stones and performing their songs. Between them, they've seen the group in concert nearly a dozen times.
"We were influenced by classic country acts like Merle Haggard and George Jones and Hank Williams but also by Clapton and the Stones and all the rock acts like that," Brooks said. "I mean, what guitar player didn't start out with 'Satisfaction'?"
The roots rock influence is apparent in Brooks & Dunn's music, especially their recent albums. The songs are soulful, with slide guitar, horns, organ and soaring gospel choruses. Alongside straight ahead country numbers are songs that echo artists like Leon Russell, Tom Petty, Lynyrd Skynyrd and vintage Stones.
"I'm sure we've gotten as close to their licks as we can without ripping them off," joked Brooks.
The nod to '70s rock and soul is deliberate. After studying theology at Abilene Christian College in Texas, Dunn moved to Tulsa, Okla., where Russell's Shelter Records was based, and artists such as J.J. Cale, The Gap Band and, occasionally, Clapton visited or recorded.
"I soaked up all that stuff," Dunn said.
By opening for the Rolling Stones, Brooks & Dunn become an instant trivia question for obsessive Stones fans. The group's opening act announcements can be as anticipated as their set lists, with everyone from Metallica to the Black-Eyed Peas to Beck warming up the crowd in recent years.
Other than shortening their act to fit the opening slot, Brooks said the duo won't change much on Jan. 29.
"I don't think we should try to do what the Stones do," Brooks said. "Hopefully, it will be the best of what we do."
Yeeeeehaaaaawwwwwwww!
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - One of country's hardest rock bands will open for one of rock's hardest country bands. Brooks & Dunn will warm up for the Rolling Stones in Omaha, Neb., Jan. 29.
"We've thrown around the concept of opening for the Stones forever," singer Ronnie Dunn said Tuesday. "I can't believe we're doing it."
When the duo got word of the invitation from their manager, they were told not to call or tell anyone until it was final.
"Of course, we started calling our friends as fast as we could as soon as we walked out of the room," he said.
Though billed as the world's greatest rock and roll band, the Stones have drawn from country music over much of their storied career. Their early 1970s albums "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main Street," in particular, had strong country influences often attributed to Keith Richards' friendship with Gram Parsons of the Flying Burrito Brothers and previously of The Byrds.
Over the years, Richards has worked with George Jones and Willie Nelson, and the Stones _ individually or collectively _ have covered songs by Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, the Everly Brothers and others.
Country artists in turn recorded a tribute to the Rolling Stones in 1997 called "Stone Country," which had artists like Tracy Lawrence singing "Paint It Black," Sammy Kershaw "Angie" and Colin Raye "Brown Sugar."
Like many country performers, Kix Brooks said he and Dunn grew up listening to the Stones and performing their songs. Between them, they've seen the group in concert nearly a dozen times.
"We were influenced by classic country acts like Merle Haggard and George Jones and Hank Williams but also by Clapton and the Stones and all the rock acts like that," Brooks said. "I mean, what guitar player didn't start out with 'Satisfaction'?"
The roots rock influence is apparent in Brooks & Dunn's music, especially their recent albums. The songs are soulful, with slide guitar, horns, organ and soaring gospel choruses. Alongside straight ahead country numbers are songs that echo artists like Leon Russell, Tom Petty, Lynyrd Skynyrd and vintage Stones.
"I'm sure we've gotten as close to their licks as we can without ripping them off," joked Brooks.
The nod to '70s rock and soul is deliberate. After studying theology at Abilene Christian College in Texas, Dunn moved to Tulsa, Okla., where Russell's Shelter Records was based, and artists such as J.J. Cale, The Gap Band and, occasionally, Clapton visited or recorded.
"I soaked up all that stuff," Dunn said.
By opening for the Rolling Stones, Brooks & Dunn become an instant trivia question for obsessive Stones fans. The group's opening act announcements can be as anticipated as their set lists, with everyone from Metallica to the Black-Eyed Peas to Beck warming up the crowd in recent years.
Other than shortening their act to fit the opening slot, Brooks said the duo won't change much on Jan. 29.
"I don't think we should try to do what the Stones do," Brooks said. "Hopefully, it will be the best of what we do."
Yeeeeehaaaaawwwwwwww!