Brooks & Dunn Leave Crowd in Tears with Stunning Reba McEntire Tribute at Kennedy Center Honors
|In 2018, country duo Brooks & Dunn took the stage at the Kennedy Center Honors to celebrate their longtime friend and collaborator, Reba McEntire, with a spirited rendition of her uptempo hit “Why Haven’t I Heard From You.” Their performance instantly became one of the evening’s most vibrant and bluesy highlights.
Kix Brooks opened the song, taking the first verse while Ronnie Dunn accompanied on guitar. The two then joined forces for the chorus, breezing effortlessly through the second verse. In her seat, McEntire beamed with pride and joy. As the last tribute performance honoring Reba that night, it brought the segment to a lively close. Kelly Clarkson and Lady Antebellum—who had also performed earlier—returned to the stage to join Brooks & Dunn in a final bow to a cheering crowd. McEntire was among eight remarkable artists recognized that year by the Kennedy Center Honors for leaving “enduring and indelible marks on our culture,” celebrated alongside stars such as Cher and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Originally released in 1994 as the lead single from Reba’s album Read My Mind, “Why Haven’t I Heard From You” climbed to No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, solidifying its status as one of her biggest hits.
A Friendship That Endured Through the Years
Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn’s connection with Reba dates back several decades. The duo even served as her opening act in 1992, eventually co-headlining a successful two-year tour in the late ’90s. Among their collaborations, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” stands out as a fan favorite. They also joined forces for Reba, Brooks & Dunn: Together in Vegas, a Las Vegas residency that ran from 2015 to 2021—becoming the longest-running and most beloved country music residency in the city’s history.