Introduction
“Play Something Country” was originally released by legendary country duo Brooks & Dunn in June 2005 as the lead single from their Hillbilly Deluxe album . Co‑written by Ronnie Dunn with longtime collaborator Terry McBride (of McBride & the Ride fame and Brooks & Dunn’s touring bassist), the track became the duo’s twentieth—and to date final—#1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, hitting the summit in September 2005 . Inspired, in part, by Gretchen Wilson—who was touring with Brooks & Dunn’s Deuces Wild package at the time—the song portrays a bold, bar‑storming female character demanding that the DJ “play something country!” .
Fast‑forward nearly two decades, and Brooks & Dunn revisited the song as part of their Reboot II project: a 2024 collection of reimagined hits featuring guest collaborators across genres . Released on September 27, 2024, their re-recorded version features contemporary country star Lainey Wilson, whose fiery delivery and Louisiana swagger bring new electricity to the classic tune . According to press statements, Wilson arrived in the studio “head‑to‑toe in flames,” complete with flame‑adorned bell‑bottoms, and infused the track with ZZ Top–style guitar grit and honky‑tonk attitude . Kix Brooks remarked that “she came… and added that Louisiana swagger like only she could,” and Wilson herself credited Brooks & Dunn as “the soundtrack to my childhood” .
The resurgence of “Play Something Country” through Reboot II, released November 15, 2024, celebrates Brooks & Dunn’s enduring influence, blending nostalgia with present‑day flair . The collaboration received acclaim not only for honoring the spirit of the original, but for its bold reinvention—bridging country’s past and future through Wilson’s powerhouse vocals and Brooks & Dunn’s timeless energy.
This intro captures the song’s origins, chart success, creative inspiration, and the modern reinterpretation with Lainey Wilson—all based on verified sources. Let me know if you’d like to expand on lyrics, critical reception, or the broader Reboot II album context!
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