Introduction
“Born and Raised in Black and White” was written by Don Cook and John Barlow Jarvis. Its origin traces back to The Highwaymen—Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson—who recorded the original version for their 1990 album Highwaymen 2, with Jennings on lead vocals . The song found an immediate resonance, topping Billboard’s Country Radio Breakouts chart, capturing listeners even without entering the main Hot Country Songs rankings .
In 1991, country artist Mark Collie covered and lent the song’s title to his album Born and Raised in Black & White, offering his own take on the haunting narrative . Then, in March 1998, country duo Brooks & Dunn recorded their rendition—marking a first in their career by having both Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn share lead vocals on the same track—for their fifth studio album If You See Her, released on June 2, 1998 .
The song tells a gripping tale of two brothers born into the same stark moral landscape—“black and white”—yet destined for vastly different paths: one becomes a preacher devoted to faith, while the other drifts toward violence and crime . Brooks & Dunn’s version preserves this dual-perspective storytelling, with each half of the duo embodying one brother’s voice—an artistic choice that deepens the emotional weight and nuance of the narrative .
Situated on If You See Her, an album that yielded five singles and solidified Brooks & Dunn’s status in late-90s country music, “Born and Raised in Black and White” stands out as a dramatic centerpiece. Though not released as a single, its raw portrayal of divergent destinies within a single family demonstrates the duo’s willingness to explore darker, morally complex themes beyond their typical honky-tonk hits.
This track thus acts as a bridge between the legendary origins of The Highwaymen and Brooks & Dunn’s mid-career evolution—melding powerful storytelling with a unique vocal arrangement that highlights their artistic range and respect for the song’s storied history.