Introduction
“Only in America” is a signature song by country duo Brooks & Dunn, originally released in June 2001 as the second single from their album Steers & Stripes . Co-written by Kix Brooks alongside Don Cook and Ronnie Rogers, it quickly rose to become a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in late October 2001 . With its upbeat melody in keys of E and F major and evocative lyrics painting slices of American life—school bus drivers, newlyweds from different backgrounds—the song celebrates the vast possibilities and dreams uniquely accessible in the U.S. .
A few years later, on September 7, 2003, Brooks & Dunn delivered a powerful live rendition of “Only in America” at Farm Aid 2003, held at the Germain Amphitheater in Columbus, Ohio . Farm Aid, founded in 1985 by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young, is an annual benefit concert designed to support family farmers across America . The 2003 festival featured an eclectic lineup including longtime board artists and new faces like Brooks & Dunn, Sheryl Crow, Hootie & the Blowfish, Emmylou Harris, and Los Lonely Boys.
This specific performance of “Only in America” resonates with Farm Aid’s mission—spotlighting rural America and family farmers—bringing together patriotic sentiment and grassroots concern. Included on the compilation Playlist: The Very Best of Brooks & Dunn (released in December 2008), this live recording further cemented the song’s status and showcased the duo’s commitment to Americana heritage .
Over the ensuing years, the song was used on a non‑partisan basis in political campaigns from both George W. Bush in 2004 and Barack Obama in 2008, underscoring its wide appeal and resonance across political lines .
Through its vivid storytelling and spirited delivery, the live Farm Aid 2003 performance of “Only in America” captures the optimism and pluralism at the heart of the song—making it not only a country hit but a cultural emblem of American identity when performed for a cause-driven audience.
Let me know if you’d like to explore particular lyrical details or the broader context of the Farm Aid event or Brooks & Dunn’s live touring during that period!