Ronnie Dunn to be a part of BonfireJam 2012

Country music lovers can put their toes in the water and fanny in the sand on May 5 on Pensacola Beach.

Ronnie Dunn, one half of the legendary music duo Brooks & Dunn, the most successful country music partnership in history, will appear in a concert to be produced on Pensacola Beach by Bonfire Jam and sponsored by the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA).

“We’re extremely excited about landing someone of the stature of Ronnie Dunn for the first show we are promoting on Pensacola Beach,” said Joe Lewis, president of Bonfire Jam. “This guy is a true legend and epitomizes the kind of quality music we want to bring to Pensacola Beach.”

The show is planned for the Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach.

“The SRIA thinks this is a great way to bring attention to our beach and all the great attractions we have here,” said Buck Lee, SRIA executive director. “Working with a real professional like Joe Lewis gives us the confidence we are going to have a great show that will be wonderful for the locals and will attract visitors as well.”

Over two decades Dunn and his partner, Kix Brooks, performed as Brooks & Dunn, building a career that was the stuff of legend. They sold more than 30 million albums while collecting multiple CMA Awards, ACM Awards, CMT Award, Grammy’s, People’s Choice Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and America Music Awards.

“Kix and I were very honored in so many ways,” said Dunn. “We didn’t just accomplish everything we dreamed of as a duo. We accomplished a lot more than we ever expected. I have absolutely no complaints and no regrets.”

But after Brooks & Dunn retired in 2010, Dunn, considered one of country music’s finest vocalists and storytellers, turned his attention to a solo career. Seeing an opportunity to tell his story in the personal way he had never done before, thousands of hours of recording resulted in “Ronnie Dunn,” a personal and intense album that has met with critical and popular success.

“I have to say,” said Dunn, “I’m sure enjoying feeling `new’ all over again.”

Further concert information, including ticket prices and sale locations will be announced in the coming days.