The Catskill Chronicle

Story by Carol Montana, Photos by Leni Santoro

BETHEL, NY – It didn’t take long to realize that Sunday, August 29 was going to be a special night at Bethel Woods.

The site that made history in 1969, was the venue for the last ever Brooks & Dunn road concert. Originally scheduled for June 27, the concert was postponed due to Ronnie Dunn’s need to rest his voice.

Opening for the duo was Tyler Dickerson, a young man with a big voice. The 16-year-old has been on tour with Brooks & Dunn since April. Dickerson began performing when he was 11 years old, and won the 2005 Florida Male Vocalist and Male Entertainer of the Year awards for his age group. He signed a recording contract with Lyric Street Records and was mentored by John Rich of Big & Rich. You can find out more about Dickerson at his website on My Space.

Also opening was outlaw Merle Haggard who sauntered onto the stage in his inimitable way. The 73-year-old legend performed his classic “Okie From Muskogee” and “Mama Tried,” and jokingly told the audience that he was going to play a song he wrote “during the last depression.” He later joined Brooks & Dunn onstage for a couple of songs, and signed Ronnie Dunn’s guitar with a flourish.

Somehow, it seems strange, but yes, Merle Haggard has a website where you can get more information.

Brooks & Dunn took the stage to thundering applause, performing “Play Something Country” loud enough that you could feel the kick-drum in your heart. Following that were “Put a Girl In It,” “Neon Moon,” “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone,” “I Believe,” and many more of their favorites. Giant screens behind the stage alternated a montage of scenes from their career, lyrics, titles or really cool graphics.

A special treat was the duo’s rendition of “Only in America.” Five armed forces members walked to the edge of stage and saluted. And the crowd went wild.

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn thanked their crew, and they thanked their fans for “paying our rent for the last 20 years.”

They shot t-shirts into the crowd, Kix danced with a little girl, and tons of steamers rained down on their fans. And they blew the audience away with their rendition of “My Maria.”

Leaving the stage to thunderous applause without having done what is probably their biggest hit, left no doubt as to the title of their encore song. “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” was a 1992 hit for the duo, and served as their first crossover hit. It reached #50 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. A fitting ending for their last song.

To see more photos from Tyler Dickerson, Merle Haggard or Brooks & Dunn Last Rodeo Tour at Bethel Woods, visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.