At the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors, country music legends Brooks & Dunn paid a lively and heartfelt tribute to longtime friend and collaborator Reba McEntire with her hit “Why Haven’t I Heard From You.” The performance quickly became one of the evening’s standout moments, blending energy, bluesy flair, and genuine admiration for the country icon.
Kix Brooks opened the song with the first verse while Ronnie Dunn played guitar, setting the stage for a dynamic duet. The pair effortlessly moved through the chorus and second verse, filling the room with vibrant energy while Reba herself beamed from her seat, clearly touched by the homage.
This performance capped off the evening’s series of tributes to McEntire, joining performances by Kelly Clarkson and Lady Antebellum, who later joined Brooks & Dunn onstage to acknowledge the roaring applause. It was a perfect celebration of Reba’s decades-long impact on country music.
McEntire, one of eight extraordinary artists honored that night, was recognized for her lasting contributions to American culture alongside Cher, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Alex Lacamoire, and others. “Why Haven’t I Heard From You,” released in 1994 as the lead single from Read My Mind, remains one of her most beloved hits, reaching No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
The connection between Brooks & Dunn and Reba runs deep. The duo first opened for her in 1992, later co-headlining a two-year tour in the late 1990s. Their collaborations include memorable tracks like “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” and the acclaimed Las Vegas residency Reba, Brooks & Dunn: Together in Vegas, which ran from 2015 to 2021 and became the longest-running country music residency in Vegas history.
Brooks & Dunn’s Kennedy Center tribute wasn’t just a performance—it was a heartfelt celebration of friendship, legacy, and the enduring power of country music.
