Kix Brooks is an American country music singer, songwriter, radio host, actor and film producer who has an estimated net worth of $45 million. He built much of his wealth through his career as one half of the country music duo Brooks & Dunn, alongside Ronnie Dunn.
Brooks & Dunn became one of the most successful partnerships in country music after forming in 1990. The duo recorded a long list of major hits, including “Brand New Man,” “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “Neon Moon,” “Little Miss Honky Tonk,” “My Maria” and “Ain’t Nothing ’bout You.”
In addition to his work with Brooks & Dunn, Brooks has pursued a solo music career and has earned income through songwriting, radio, television, acting and film production. He has also been involved in business ventures outside music, including a winery in Tennessee.
| Kix Brooks Net Worth | $45 Million |
| Date of Birth | May 12, 1955 |
| Place of Birth | Shreveport, Louisiana |
Early Life
Kix Brooks was born Leon Brooks III on May 12, 1955, in Shreveport, Louisiana.
He grew up with a sister, a half-sister and two half-brothers. As a young man, Brooks attended Sewanee Military Academy, an Episcopal school in Tennessee.
He later enrolled at Louisiana Tech University, where he studied theater. During one summer while in college, Brooks worked with his father on an oil pipeline in Alaska.
After graduating from Louisiana Tech, Brooks moved into advertising. He worked for a company in Maine owned by his sister and brother-in-law before eventually returning to music.
Kix Brooks and Brooks & Dunn
Brooks spent several years pursuing a solo career and working as a songwriter before forming Brooks & Dunn with Ronnie Dunn in 1990.
The duo signed with Arista Nashville and released its debut album, “Brand New Man,” in 1991.
The album became an immediate success and produced four No. 1 country singles: “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “My Next Broken Heart,” “Neon Moon” and “Brand New Man.”
Brooks & Dunn followed with “Hard Workin’ Man” in 1993. The album produced more successful songs, including “Rock My World (Little Country Girl),” “She Used to Be Mine” and “That Ain’t No Way to Go.”
Their 1994 album “Waitin’ on Sundown” became their first record to reach No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart. It also produced three No. 1 country singles: “She’s Not the Cheatin’ Kind,” “Little Miss Honky Tonk” and “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone.”
The duo remained commercially successful throughout the 1990s. Their 1996 album “Borderline” reached No. 1 on the country chart and included “My Maria,” a cover of the B. W. Stevenson song.
“My Maria” became one of their signature recordings and earned Brooks & Dunn a Grammy Award for Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
The duo continued releasing albums with “If You See Her” in 1998 and “Tight Rope” in 1999.
Brooks & Dunn’s Biggest Hits
Brooks & Dunn experienced another major commercial period in the early 2000s.
Their 2001 album “Steers & Stripes” reached No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart and No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
The album produced three No. 1 country singles: “Ain’t Nothing ’bout You,” “Only in America” and “The Long Goodbye.”
“Ain’t Nothing ’bout You” became the duo’s biggest hit. It spent six consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the country chart and reached No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Brooks & Dunn later released the Christmas album “It Won’t Be Christmas Without You” in 2002, followed by “Red Dirt Road” in 2003.
The duo returned to the top of the country albums chart with “Hillbilly Deluxe” in 2005. Their 2007 album “Cowboy Town” reached No. 4 on the country chart.
Brooks & Dunn continued performing until 2010, when the two musicians announced that they were going their separate ways.
They later reunited for performances, including concerts with Reba McEntire in 2014 and 2015.
In 2019, Brooks & Dunn released “Reboot,” their first studio album together in 12 years. It debuted at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart and No. 8 on the Billboard 200.
The duo released “Reboot II” in 2024, extending their partnership and returning to the recording studio together.
Solo Career
Brooks began his solo music career in the early 1980s while working as a staff songwriter for Tree Publishing in Nashville.
In 1983, he released his first solo single, “Baby, When Your Heart Breaks Down.” Although the song achieved only moderate commercial success, Brooks continued developing his songwriting career.
In 1985, he co-wrote “Modern Day Romance” for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The song became a major country hit and reached No. 1 on the country chart.
Brooks released his self-titled solo album toward the end of the 1980s. The album included the single “Sacred Ground.”
After Brooks & Dunn initially separated, Brooks returned to his solo career. In 2012, he released “New to This Town.”
The album reached No. 10 on the Top Country Albums chart. Its title track, which featured guitarist Joe Walsh, reached No. 31 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
Brooks later released “Ambush at Dark Canyon,” a soundtrack connected to the film of the same name. He executive-produced and starred in the movie.
Radio Career
Brooks expanded his career beyond recording and touring when he became the host of “American Country Countdown” in 2006.
He succeeded longtime host Bob Kingsley and remained associated with the nationally syndicated country music countdown program.
Radio gave Brooks another major platform within the country music industry while providing an additional source of professional income.
Television and Film Career
Brooks has also worked in television and film.
In 2015, he hosted “Steak Out with Kix Brooks,” a food and travel program on the Cooking Channel.
He also became involved in film production. In 2013, Brooks founded the production company Team 2 Entertainment with his son Eric.
The company has produced independent films including “Dug Up,” “Ambush at Dark Canyon” and “Born Wild.” Brooks has acted in some of the company’s productions.
He also provided the voice of the title character in the 2016 family movie “Timber the Treasure Dog.”
Business Ventures
Brooks has expanded his interests beyond entertainment.
He is a co-owner of Arrington Vineyards, a winery located near Nashville. The business gives him a presence in the hospitality and wine industries in addition to his long career in music.
He and his family also maintain a large farm in Williamson County, Tennessee.
Personal Life
Kix Brooks married Barbara in 1981. They have two children, Molly and Eric.
Brooks and his wife live on a 550-acre farm in Williamson County, Tennessee.
His son Eric later joined him in the film business through Team 2 Entertainment, giving the family another connection to the entertainment industry.
Also Read: Ronnie Dunn Net Worth
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