Introduction
Brooks & Dunn’s rendition of “My Maria” (Live at Cain’s Ballroom) brings renewed vigor to a song that bridges eras—from its 1973 pop‑country roots to a 1990s country milestone. Originally penned by Daniel Moore and B.W. Stevenson, the song debuted in August 1973 and became Stevenson’s signature hit, climbing to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping Canada’s AC chart .
Fast‑forward to 1996: Brooks & Dunn, with Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn at the helm, chose “My Maria” as the lead single for their album Borderline, marking a bold departure—it was the duo’s first cover amidst a catalogue of original hits . Ronnie Dunn was initially hesitant, admitting he feared those iconic falsetto notes and the song’s rock‑leaning melody . Still, his powerful performance transformed the track into a three‑week No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and the top country song of 1996 . The duo’s version also earned them a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group .
The legacy of “My Maria” endures. Brooks & Dunn performed it as their grand finale at the 2010 ACM Awards and reprised it at the 50th ACM Awards in 2015 . In 2019, they recorded a fresh take with Thomas Rhett for Reboot, reaffirming its role in their musical identity .
Documenting this storied past, the Live at Cain’s Ballroom rendition captures both nostalgia and fire. Cain’s Ballroom, built in 1924 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is itself steeped in music history—from western swing to punk rock legends . Brooks & Dunn’s live performance bookends that legacy, delivering a rendition that pulses with authenticity and pays homage to the venue’s storied stages.
For both longtime fans and new listeners, this version is not just a concert recording—it’s a celebration of a song that has transcended time, genre, and expectation, firmly cementing “My Maria” as a country‑music classic.