Health Concerns Raised for Ronnie Dunn After Recent Show
Fans both in attendance at Thursday night’s (4-3) show in Indianapolis at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and others online are showing concern for Ronnie Dunn of the Hall of Fame duo Brooks & Dunn. The 71-year-old spent a portion of the Thursday show sitting on the steps of a stage riser while performing, and walked off near the end of the show during the encore not to return, clearly looking ill and/or out-of-breath.
Though Brooks & Dunn otherwise played a full show and Kix Brooks stepped up at moments to make sure the songs were completed (Ronnie Dunn sings most, though not all the lead parts), as video has circulated online, and “prayers” have been asked for, some are worried about the health of the country legend.
@maloneradio Feel better, Ronnie!!! Thanks for giving us all you could!! #brooksanddunn #concert #country #countrymusic ♬ original sound – Matt Malone
Though neither Ronnie Dunn nor Brooks & Dunn had addressed the concerns at the time of this post, Ronnie has been suffering from respiratory issues lately. On March 22nd, the duo played the massive Rodeo Houston, drawing the largest crowd of the season (71,256). At that time, he was apologizing for his heavy breathing and some “dust” in his delivery.
Brooks & Dunn was supposed to perform at Texas Tech on March 13th, but it was rescheduled until March 20th due to an explosion at a electrical substation on campus that included green fire and purple smoke coming out of potholes. Dunn initially thought that was the issue. However, after visiting the doctor, he was diagnosed with COVID and strep throat.
Dunn likely was still recovering from these ailments, or their lingering effects when he took the stage in Indianapolis. Dunn is usually pretty open and communicative with his fan base. Though the videos do look concerning, there is no reason to believe there is some major issue with Ronnie Dunn as some have been alluding to online.
Instead, we should wait for Dunn to address any underlying issue himself, if he decides to. Otherwise, he was probably just continuing to recover from his recent illness.
The duo recently released Reboot II, and is scheduled to play the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL on Saturday, April 5th.
April 5, 2025 @ 8:29 am
Green fire and purple smoke coming out of potholes in Texas isn’t out of the ordinary, right?
April 5, 2025 @ 11:38 am
I figured that’s more of a California occurrence.
April 5, 2025 @ 3:55 pm
except it’s regulated in California
April 5, 2025 @ 2:08 pm
Might be some voodoo.
April 6, 2025 @ 6:19 am
My daughter goes to Tech and had tickets to the show that was canceled, left early for spring break since they canceled classes. The show was supposed to be rescheduled, but she wasn’t going to be there for that. Wonder if the show ended up going on.
As for the green gas coming out of the manholes is was apparently a reaction with copper pipes That made the flames that color. Always fun in Lubbock!
April 5, 2025 @ 8:46 am
Despite having both COVID and strep throat, he sounds amazing. Prayers for a quick recovery!
April 5, 2025 @ 11:28 am
He was amazing at the Houston rodeo / wks ago.
April 5, 2025 @ 11:30 am
I hope this is just a brief setback and he will get well soon soon.
In my opinion, Ronnie Dunn is the greatest male singer ever, and I hope he makes a few more albums.
April 5, 2025 @ 12:58 pm
Mr Dunn is a fine Singer And he Is in our thoughts
April 5, 2025 @ 1:51 pm
“diagnosed with COVID and strep throat.”
Can be serious for a 71 year old. Don’t rush the recovery.
April 5, 2025 @ 3:19 pm
Just saw him in Peoria on 4-4… he made a comment about being out of breath… holding long notes and that after Indy concert he had numerous emt/dr on the bus. Was a Great concert and he sounded good. I wish him a speedy recovery. Playing for 90+ minutes,high intensity concerts multiple nights in a row con be very taxing at 71.
April 5, 2025 @ 11:21 pm
That’s why Bruce Springsteen is one of a kind…75 years old and still plays very high intensity concerts for 3+ hours…but Ronnie still has a natural better singing voice.
April 5, 2025 @ 2:03 pm
I just saw the Oak Ridge Boys in Lancaster a couple of weekends ago. They’re in their 80’s (except of course for the new kid, Ben). Duane’s voice is shot, but they still go through all the big songs–and they’ve made “Elvira” and “Bobbie Sue” into a hootenany or audiece-sing-along with the house lights on full. Golden still tries to love two women and still thanks God for kids–alas, without getting down on his knees– and Richard still plays the tambourine and “Oom papa mau-maus” for Elvira and still wants to -marry B-b-b-b-bobbie Sue. The crowd is just happy and excited that the world’s oldest “boys” are still healthy, able and wanting to be out on the road and is totally forgiving of any lapses in quality or effort. And tickets–four rows from the stage were under $100.
I’m guessing that B&D charge considerably more for tickets and that Ronnie is not at the Duane Allen stage where just being there and making an effort and thanking the audience and talkin up the talent of the backing band are 90% good enough.
April 5, 2025 @ 4:16 pm
A lot of the same can be said for Billy Gibbons.
At Tuesday night’s show on 1 April, knew immediately to relax & be quite tolerant.
Very muddy sound, at a venue with a world class sound system.
We clapped, cheered, danced, & had a good time.
Doing this at 75 years old can Not be easy.
But boy, did we love it
April 5, 2025 @ 6:33 pm
Prayers for our man Ronnie.. I will always love you🙏🏻💕
April 5, 2025 @ 2:48 pm
I just love Ronnie Dunn he is a fantastic singer. I will say a prayer and hope that he gets better real soon. He’s one of my favorites.
April 5, 2025 @ 3:07 pm
Prayers my friend ! I’m sure the fans can relate to any health issues, take your time Ronnie you are a Legend !! I’m pretty sure it’s not the money, and he doesn’t have to preform but instead wants to preform !! Goodluck to all involved and Godbless!!!
April 5, 2025 @ 3:14 pm
I never cared for his voice. For my money Lee Roy Parnell has a similar tone and about 100 times more talent. He was outstanding on guitar too something Mr. Dunn is not.
April 6, 2025 @ 5:41 am
Why even comment? It’s rude and unnecessary. Ok so you aren’t a fan. This is about possible health issues. People like you are just out there to stir the pot and get attention. Well I’m calling you out with negative attention. I happen to like them and have fond memories of seeing them on mother’s day in Toledo many years ago. There was just something special about being told ” Happy Mothers Day” by the famous Brooks & Dunn.
So you can take your troll comments and know that they are inappropriate and karma is a bitch.
April 5, 2025 @ 4:27 pm
I Love Brooks and Dunn Music 🎶🎶🤠
April 9, 2025 @ 4:14 am
Good one! It’s surprising how many albums they sold for having “not a good voice”!
April 5, 2025 @ 5:20 pm
One of the greatest country music singers of all time.
April 5, 2025 @ 6:00 pm
Our family sends our thoughts and prayers.
I just went through all of the same issues and I’m 72 very active and doing something all the time. And the second time put me in bed for ,11 days But take your time jumping back in to quickly.. I didn’t and Covid had a way of knocking you back down.worse than first time.Please take time prayers and thoughts.
April 5, 2025 @ 6:17 pm
Dear God please heal his Respiratory System .
April 5, 2025 @ 7:11 pm
Prayers an Hugs for Ronnie Dunn .
Hope you get well soon .
Get lots of rest an stay hydrated.
Covid is aweful.
Prayers for everyone.
I’ve had the 2 shots an still got Covid 3 times .
An the last time was very servere.
Please Please get lots of rest .
Take care .
Love you an Kix an your my No one favorite Country Music ❤️ Duo.
Love you all.
April 5, 2025 @ 9:10 pm
Beautiful music, set on stone
April 6, 2025 @ 10:14 pm
Kathy – don’t get another shot!
April 5, 2025 @ 7:38 pm
Oh,crud.I’m a huge B&D fan,and Ronnie’s five weeks older than I. Hope he recovers in a hurry.
April 5, 2025 @ 9:12 pm
He has made every effort to perform through his COVID and pneumonia setbacks, however it would not have been unheard of to cancel some shows in order to get that full recovery. True fans would have understood. At our age we don’t kick this as well as we used to. I wish him well.
April 5, 2025 @ 10:48 pm
We attended the Indianapolis (4/3/25) concert. Ronnie went off stage a few times and he was honest about feeling winded and out of breath. Ronnie and Kix sounded phenomenal. Kix apologized that Ronnie was sick and couldn’t return for the encore of “Boot Scootin Boogie”. The crowd sung along and it was fantastic. Prayers for Ronnie to heal up quickly and feel better soon. Thanks for an AWESOME show.
April 6, 2025 @ 1:55 am
…fact is, ronnie dunn is almost 72 years old – in most families these guys are called grandpa. he injured a leg when skiing not too long ago, which did not help keeping up a general level of fitness. his singing style puts a lot of pressure on the diaphragm. again, that is not something that works in favour of old singers. basically, he is just too old and not in good enough shape for the undertaking, since a brooks & dunn show done right would require a good level of energy. mind over matter is a helpful state of mind at times, but when it comes to natural deterioration it does not work anymore in most cases. ronnie dunn is just a case in point. most likely, things will not get better, or only marginally at best.
April 6, 2025 @ 5:31 am
One of the hardest things about getting older is realizing you can’t do now what you did 30 years ago and when it’s time to hang it up. I’m going through that now at 63. My mind wants to do what I did when I was 23, but my body keeps saying “think again”.
April 6, 2025 @ 1:32 pm
Get well soon Ronnie of “Brooks And Dunn”
Love from a George Strait Fan Club Member.
April 6, 2025 @ 10:09 am
Even not being at 100%, Ronnie has a better voice than 99% of the world. Wish him a continued recovery.
April 6, 2025 @ 1:51 pm
He could always ask Randy Houser to stand in for him.
April 8, 2025 @ 4:49 am
Where IS Randy Houser today ?