YMMV / Brooks & Dunn

• Audience-Alienating Era: Tight Rope, their first album not to go platinum. It was poorly received for its tired production and poor song choices (including a tepid cover of John Waite's "Missing You"). It seems even B & D themselves didn't like it, as "You'll Always Be Loved By Me" doesn't appear on their second Greatest Hits Album, even though it was a Top 5 hit.
• Covered Up: This has gone both ways.
  • One of Kix Brooks' pre-B&D solo singles was "Sacred Ground", later a #2 hit in 1992 for McBride & the Ride. Incidentally, McBride & the Ride's Lead Bassist Terry McBride would later co-write several of Brooks & Dunn's songs and play bass in their road band.
  • "Boot Scootin' Boogie", although written by Ronnie Dunn, was first recorded by Asleep at the Wheel.^note Barry Martin's parody, "Butt Scootin' Doggie" is based on this version.
  • Their version of "My Maria" is far better known than the B.W. Stevenson original.
  • Same with their version of "Husbands and Wives" vs. Roger Miller's original.
  • ...and, at least stateside, their 2001 version of "The Long Goodbye" vs. Paul Brady's original or Ronan Keating's subsequent cover (Brady and Keating wrote the song).
  • "Every River" was previously recorded by Kim Richey. Zig-zagged in that Kim sang backing vocals on Brooks & Dunn's version.
  • "Building Bridges" had been released by its co-writer, Larry Willoughby (Rodney Crowell's cousin), and later by Nicolette Larson. Neither version cracked the 40, while Brooks & Dunn's was a Top 5 hit.
  • Country fans will name them when they're asked who sang "Missing You". Everyone else will say John Waite.
• Critical Dissonance: The most commercially successful duo of all time, but critical reception for their 1990s work was mixed. Averted in the 21st century, with Steers & Stripes and Red Dirt Road being commercially successful albums that also resonated well with critics and fans.
• Older Than They Think: "Only in America" tends to get lumped in with the wave of patriotic country songs released after 9/11. However, it was released in June 2001.