Ronnie Dunn
PENDLETON — A familiar voice in country music will take the stage at the Round-Up & Happy Canyon Concert on September 10. Ronnie Dunn, who made his mark as half of the duo Brooks & Dunn will be the starring act at the concert that kicks off a week of festivities. Tickets will go on sale to the public on May 19.
“We are excited that we’re able to bring such a high quality star to the Happy Canyon Arena,” Happy Canyon Director Michael Corey said in announcing the entertainment. “I am sure people will line up to buy tickets for an event like this.”
His concert committee co-chairman, Round-Up Director Tygh Campbell agreed.
“We are excited to offer people a chance to enjoy a giant star’s music in the intimate, outdoor setting of the Happy Canyon Arena,” he said.
Dunn was born in Coleman, Texas to a truck-driving, country-music-loving father and a conservative, church-going mother, according to his biography. Music remained a constant in a youth that was more like a winding road from west Texas to New Mexico, Arkansas and Oklahoma. In a 12-year span he attended a total of 13 schools.
Ronnie Dunn’s musical history speaks for itself. He has twice been named BMI country songwriter of the year and was Billboard magazine’s best country songwriter in 1996. In addition, he was named the Gospel Music Association songwriter of the year for “Believe.” He has received 23 BMI Million Airplay awards for songs he wrote that have attained 1-million or more plays on radio stations. He has also been inducted into the Arkansas Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2006.
The partnership that was Brooks & Dunn has seen the duo living at the top of the country music singles charts 23 times for songs that are now classics like “Boot Scootin Boogie,” “Only In America,” and “Brand New Man.” They are the industry’s most award-winning pair and have been named entertainers of the year four times. They have garnered 20 Country Music Association awards and 28 Academy of Music, more than any other artist in ACM history, having surpassed Merle Haggard’s total in 2005. Brooks and Dunn said goodbye to their fans during the 2010 Last Rodeo Tour. They are both pursuing careers as solo artists.
Tickets for the concert will be available at the Round-Up and Happy Canyon office on Southwest Court Avenue at 8:30 a.m. May 19. They will also be available at all Ticket Master outlets, with a major credit card by calling 800-457-6336, 541-276-2553 or 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices will be announced closer to the sale date.
Written by Terry Murray
