Hoppy Birthday Kix.  You look great for 56.

Kix Brooks was born Leon Eric "Kix" Brooks III in Shreveport Louisiana on this day in 1955.  He's best known for being half of Brooks & Dunn for more than twenty years before they announced their split. 

Kix graduated from a military academy before going on to get his theater arts major.  He spent one summer in Alaska with his father working on a pipeline before returning to school.  He's also written advertising before deciding to move to Nashville in 1979.  While he and Ronnie Dunn tried their hands at solo careers,  it wasn't until 1989 they were paired together.  The duo had an amazing run, with a plethora of hit songs, tours covering the entire country and winning more ACM and CMA awards than any other act in country music history.

Kix has been hosting American Country Countdown since January 2006 and owns Arrington vineyards.  He just finished filming a small role in the movie "Thriftstore Cowboy" and will begin work on his lead role in "The Last Ride."  On the musical side, he's currently working on a new solo album and is about half done.  There no word on what it will be called or when it will be out.

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