RONNIE DUNN

                                                              "Broken Neon Hearts" 

                                                              LWR, LLC.

Ronnie Dunn really needs no introduction or accolades listed, but only three words that will always instantly place him on every one of country music’s top tiers: Brooks & Dunn!

However, Dunn has also embarked on solo journeys over the past decade, finding success with songs such as “Bleed Red,” “Cost of Living” and “Damn Drunk.”

With the tease of a new project that he himself has said was purposely reaching into the late 80’s/90’s era of country music for its inspiration, he’s now unveiled our first look at it with “Broken Neon Hearts.”

The toe-tapping, honky-tonk rhythm instantly connects with the vibe that he was searching for and refreshingly takes the listener back to what many would consider to be the strongest era of country music the moment they hit play.

But where Ronnie Dunn has always excelled - besides his outstanding vocals – is in his strong, picture painting lyrics. This song is no exception to that as he sings of a local bar that could be in Anywhere, USA, inviting the listener inside through stark descriptions that connects to the familiarity of everyday people who they’ll instantly recognize from their own watering hole.  

He sings in the opening verse:

“There’s an old troubadour up on the barstool

Dim lit strangers out on the dancefloor.”

While later, he namechecks the great Keith Whitley as he mentions the band that’s playing:

“The boys in the band laying down Whitley

Late night slow dance to “Miami My Amy”.”

But the true meat of this lyric arrives in the chorus when Dunn sings straight to the heart of many country music listeners by describing the place as if it’s an old friend that the lost and lonely can count on to heal their broken hearts with the songs they need to hear while sitting underneath the neon lights.

We all have our place like this, which is why this song connects upon first listen. I have a Saturday night hangout spot that you’d swear Dunn has been to before when you hear these lyrics, and I totally expect to hear the DJ’s voice calling out a dance this weekend while this song plays over the speakers and people move in rotation around the hardwood floor.

(Review Written By: Jeffrey Kurtis)