I didn’t feel better when McDonald’s did away with the “McLean Deluxe” or when Bath and Body Works quit making the “Daffodil Fields” scent. And I sure didn’t like it when LeBron James took off for Miami. Yeah, and I’m still a little bitter about the demise of Zima and the loss of Levis 555 jeans.
As a result, through the years I’ve adopted a “Nancy neutrality” attitude. If I don’t make my favorite things public knowledge, they may survive the “curse of Nancy” and therefore not disappear.
Now, I’m not taking the blame for everything. Vinyl records, glass pop bottles and Riverfront Stadium were beyond my control. And I’m a little scared that because I’ve openly admitted my “cougar crush” on Dierks Bentley, his career could suffer.
But it makes me wonder about Brooks and Dunn. Years ago, I publicly acknowledged them as my favorite country duo and they seemed to have avoided the “curse” until this year. A week ago Thursday, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn ended their 20-year collaboration as a duo at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on the final stop on their “Last Rodeo” tour.
I can’t help but fe el sort of responsible. Upon hearing “Brand New Man” in 1991, I became a B&D junkie. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen them in concert and the few times I’ve spoken with them, they graciously serenaded me with “Happy Birthday” in the harmonious way that is trademark Brooks and Dunn. Or, I mean, was.
Maybe I shouldn’t have made those earrings out of guitar picks? Maybe I shouldn’t have framed that autographed T-shirt. Ronnie mysteriously “lost his voice” before their last ever scheduled appearance at Country Concert at Hickory Hills, forcing the duo to miss some dates.
Seriously, I know I’m not really responsible for the breakup of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn and the “curse of Nancy” bypassed them. They’re just two talented guys who have decided to hang up their twin spurs and turn them in for solo pairs. Plus, there’s the promise of future solo albums from both of them. So, there’s that to look forward to.
But I’m going to say now for the record, out loud, I won’t like it. Just in case.
Contact Nancy Wilson, a Clark County native and morning-radio personality at WHKO-FM (K99.1), by e-mail through the website at k99online.com.
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