CLIVE DAVIS DIDN’T SING “NEON MOON.” BUT WITHOUT THE DOOR HE OPENED, COUNTRY MUSIC MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD IT THE SAME WAY. When Clive Davis helped build Arista Nashville, he was not trying to wear a cowboy hat or pretend he belonged in every honky-tonk room. He did something quieter. He trusted Nashville enough to give it a serious stage. Through that door came two men who had both spent years chasing music alone — Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn. Separately, they were talented. Together, under the Arista Nashville banner, they became something country music had never quite seen before. “Brand New Man” arrived in 1991 and changed everything. Then came “My Next Broken Heart,” “Neon Moon,” and “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” Four songs. Four doors kicked open. A duo became a dynasty. Clive Davis may be remembered for pop legends, rock icons, and superstar voices. But in country music, part of his legacy is simple: He helped create the house where Brooks & Dunn became Brooks & Dunn.
Introduction Clive Davis Didn’t Sing “Neon Moon,” But He Helped Create the World It Lived...