Ronnie Dunn's interview was included in two of my books, because I was so impressed with his talent and his journey.
He was born in Coleman, Texas to a musical family, but eventually moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was natural for him to begin performing in his dad's band. His dad had always aspired to make it big in the music business, but it was through the influence of his father that the dream finally became a reality for Ronnie.
But before fame, there were decisions and challenges he had to work through. Even though he desperately wanted to be in the music business he was a little fearful to pursue it since his dad wasn't able to break through in Nashville.
So Ronnie enrolled in college pursuing a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Bible. But the burning desire to sing just wouldn't go away - he knew he had to make a decision. For years he played in nightclubs all over Texas and Oklahoma hoping to get a big break. For a while his band became the house band for a local dance club in Tulsa called "Duke's Country" where all the two-steppers hung out in their spare time. Ronnie was beginning to think that he was getting too old for a recording contract, so he moved to a small town not far from Tulsa and began working in a liquor store just letting life happen.
However, one year later in 1988 a friend signed him up for the Marlboro Cigarette Talent Search, which Ronnie and his band won. That one split decision his friend made to sign a form in a convenience store when Ronnie wasn't even around - changed Ronnie's life. Winning the competition led to recording sessions with Nashville Producer Scott Hendricks. That relationship resulted in his first three demo songs - Boot Scootin' Boogie, You Don't Know Me and The Dean Dillion Song. Scott Hendricks began to brag about Ronnie to another Nashville Producer Tim DuBois who at the time was head of the Arista label. Tim flew to Tulsa to meet Ronnie and listen to him perform. He was so impressed that he encouraged him to move to Nashville, but since he didn't offer him a contract Ronnie was hesitant to make the move for fear he wouldn't be successful. Two years passed when he finally decided to take a chance and move to Nashville with the encouragement of his wife Janine.
It just so happened that Kix Brooks was working on forming a duo under the leadership of Tim DuBois. Ronnie was asked to try out for the position and the rest is "Country Music" history. Ronnie's song Boot Scootin' Boogie went number one. Quickly they produced four number one hits in a row, which in 1992 garnered them the Duo of the Year category for the Country Music Awards.
Ronnie told me his success didn't just come by chance - he believes it was God's plan for his life. I guess the old saying "the proof is in the pudding" sure played out for Ronnie.
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