Brooks & Dunn Build A Stage on Camp Pendelton's Beach For Troop Appreciation
Rascal Flatts, Steve Holy & the Coors Twins Join the Celebration Aug 6th

San Diego, CA: When 4-time Entertainers of the Year Brooks & Dunn decide to tell the Marines how much they appreciate the sacrifice they're making in the name of freedom, you can figure they'll do it in the biggest way possible. So this Monday, Aug 2, a crew will break sand on the beach at Camp Pendleton to build a stage from the ground up and out -- complete with video walls -- to let 30,000+ Marines and their families know how grateful the honky tonk heros are for all their efforts.

"These folks put their butts on the line for the values this country believes in every day," says whirling dervish guitar slinger Kix Brooks. "They don't complain or make a deal out of serving this country, they just suit up and do what's asked of them, expecting nothing. To me, people who can make a sacrifice like that are people we should be thanking as loudly and powerfully as we can."

In addition to the usual confetti cannons, t-shirt launchers, 28 foot blow-up dolls and their own larger than life personalities, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks have enlisted a few of their favorite friends to join them for this celebration for the American defenders of freedom. Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Vocal Group of the Year Rascal Flatts will be joined by Texas ladies man Steve Holy for this once in a lifetime show on the sands of Camp Pendleton -- and even the General Commander will be on hand for the music.

"We're lucky that our friends at Coors get the kind of things we like to do and support us in it," explains singer/songwriter Ronnie Dunn with a little incredulity. "When we said we wanted to build a stage on the beach that could handle our full show, they didn't try to reason with us. explain why that was a crazy idea. pretend they didn't hear us! All they said was 'Well, when would you like to do this?' -- and then they got in there, and started helping figure out how to make it happen, which is a pretty cool way to be."

"There's nothing there but sand, so we ARE having to build it from the sand up," reports Coors National Producer Roger Huskey, "but it's the only way we're going to be able to accommodate the whole Brooks & Dunn production. Sure, it's a one time only deal -- but for the 30,000 or so Marines and their families who're either on their way over to Iraq or just coming back from combat, it's the least we can do. and we're just glad to support Ronnie and Kix in this."

Beyond the music, there will be a full flyover -- and America's favorite pair will be joined in true Bob Hope tradition by the Coors Twins, who've re-arranged their schedules to be available to emcee the concert. Knowing the high-energy, big-fun nature of the 27-million-selling duo, there are more than likely a few more surprises in store. but unless you're a member of the Marines, chances are you're going to be reading about them in the paper.

"This is our way of saying 'thank you'," offers Dunn quietly. "These men and women are doing something for all of us as Americans. We don't necessarily see or think about that, but it's a pretty major sacrifice they're making, so this is a small thing we can do. But Kix and I can't wait."

What's An Extra 10,000 Between Friends?

Having Coors build a special one-time only stage on the beach at Camp Pendleton to entertain 35,000 Marines on their way to or from active duty in Iraq seemed like the least Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks could do to salute the men and women serving our country. But when you get an act like Brooks & Dunn -- along with their special guests Rascal Flatts and Steve Holy -- doing something big and unprecedented, you can always count on it getting even bigger than anyone imagined.

"You know, there were another 10,000 Marines and their families who wanted to come to the show," says Kix Brooks as if it were just picking up another dozen eggs. "And when you consider what they're doing for this country, you figure, 'What the heck?! It'll be a little tight, but it'll be okay… we'll just get real friendly is all."

So with the Coors Twins in camouflage mini skirts as emcees, Brooks & Dunn blew it up B&D style for what ended up being 45,000 people. And given how high emotions were running for the troops and their families, it was an emotional night for the men whose "Only In America" went into #1 the week after Sept. 11.

"All those troops really want to know is that we support them and what they're doing," says Ronnie Dunn solemnly. "You know, they're the ones at risk… So it was a good thing to let them know we ARE behind them as they put their lives on the line for all of us. My only regret was that we didn't think to film the show, because when we did 'Only In America' and that color guard came out, it was pretty powerful stuff."

Brooks & Dunn continue moving up the charts with "That's What It's All About," a sweeping Jessie Collin Young meets Poco in a back alley celebration of savoring the simple realities that make life sweet. Currently barnstorming across North America and getting back to the fairs -- in the same spirit as the Red Dirt Road Tour earlier this year -- B&D are gearing up for a more hardcore honky tonk road show with former Neon Circus supporters Montgomery Gentry and redneck woman Gretchen Wilson.

"It's all about how you light these people up," adds Brooks. "You wanna show'em a good time. Man, when the wind started blowing off the Pacific and sent all those red, white and blue streamers all over the stage -- instead of in the audience -- it was one of those moments that could've been a drag, but wasn't! When the audience is into it, they carry you -- and we've always been lucky that way."