Brooks & Dunn brought 35 years of country music history to Charleston, delivering a night built on timeless songs, nostalgia, and undeniable energy.
Caylee Hammack opened the evening with a 25-minute set that blended traditional country character with a fiery, distinctive vocal style. Backed by a three-piece band, Hammack occasionally strapped on a guitar herself while working through a compact seven-song performance. Her voice carried shades of Tanya Tucker’s grit mixed with Dolly Parton’s unmistakable country twang, giving her songs an immediately familiar feel without sounding derivative. She also put her own spin on Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” before introducing “Small Town Hypocrite,” a deeply personal song she explained had been written about the heartbreak everyone seems to experience at least once. Hammack closed with “Family Tree,” the song that helped introduce her to country music audiences, turning the final moments into an energetic crowd singalong.
David Lee Murphy brought an old-school country feel to the stage, leading a five-piece band through an hour-long set filled with his own hits and songs he had written for others. Playing acoustic guitar, Murphy mixed storytelling with a relaxed stage presence while showcasing the depth of his songwriting catalog. “Big Green Tractor,” “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,” “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” and “Pirate Flag” were among the familiar hits scattered throughout the set. “Anywhere with You,” recorded by Jake Owen, had the crowd growing noticeably louder and more involved before Murphy and the band ripped through “The Only Way I Know,” recorded by Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church. Murphy then took things back to the ’90s with “Party Crowd,” bringing nearly 9,000 fans to their feet for a massive singalong. He closed the hour with “Dust on the Bottle,” sending the crowd into one final, deafening singalong.
Brooks & Dunn hit the stage at 9:05 PM and immediately had nearly 9,000 fans on their feet. Backed by seven musicians, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn commanded a massive stage setup with guitars, bass, piano, pedal steel, fiddle, and drums, creating a full, remarkably well-balanced sound. More importantly, the duo’s vocals remained powerful, with their signature harmonies sounding as strong as ever.
“Brand New Man” and “My Next Broken Heart” opened the night, fitting choices as Brooks later reflected on the 35th anniversary of Brand New Man. He recalled writing “Brand New Man” and then following it just a week later with “My Next Broken Heart,” two songs that helped launch a career spanning more than three decades.
“Burn That Bridge” featured a scorching guitar solo and excellent harmonies, while the crowd erupted for “Ain’t Nothing ’Bout You.” “Red Dirt Road” took the response even higher as thousands sang the opening verse and chorus back to the stage.
Brooks paused to grab a beer, joking with the crowd before sincerely thanking fans for essentially paying his rent for the past 35 years. That easygoing personality carried into “Lost and Found,” which briefly turned into a hyped-up acoustic jam before the band stopped and restarted it properly. “Hard Workin’ Man” followed and sent the energy soaring again.
The hits continued with “Cowgirls Don’t Cry,” “Neon Moon,” “Rock My World (Little Country Girl),” and “My Maria,” four staples of the Brooks & Dunn catalog that kept the arena singing along. With each familiar opening note, the crowd response reinforced just how deeply those songs had become ingrained in country music over the past three decades.
By the time the duo returned for the encore, the crowd was ready for one of country music’s most recognizable party songs. “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” had the arena moving before “Only in America” closed the night.
With an exceptional mix, outstanding musicianship, and two unmistakable voices, Brooks & Dunn showed that 35 years later, their songs hadn’t simply survived—they still commanded an arena.
