--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was freaking out when Brooks & Dunn…" description: "\"I was freaking out when Brooks & Dunn were breaking up. I thought 'We play a ton of rodeos, and I thought this was such a cowboy deal, and I don't wear..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e31/ronnie-dunn-19148_brooks_i-was-freaking-out-when-brooks-dunn-were_1908920.jpg" --- # I was freaking out when Brooks & Dunn were breaking up. I… ![“I was freaking out when Brooks & Dunn were breaking up. I thought 'We play a ton of rodeos, and I thought this was such a cowboy deal, and I don't wear a hat. They might not think I'm a cowboy. That might sound ridiculous to a lot of people, but apparently, it meant something to me. I wound up…” quote by Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e31/ronnie-dunn-19148_brooks_i-was-freaking-out-when-brooks-dunn-were_1908920.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e31/ronnie-dunn-19148_brooks_i-was-freaking-out-when-brooks-dunn-were_1908920.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e31/ronnie-dunn-19148_brooks_i-was-freaking-out-when-brooks-dunn-were_1908920.jpg) > “I was freaking out when Brooks & Dunn were breaking up. I thought 'We play a ton of rodeos, and I thought this was such a cowboy deal, and I don't wear a hat. They might not think I'm a cowboy. That might sound ridiculous to a lot of people, but apparently, it meant something to me. I wound up with a cowboy tattoo from my elbow to my wrist.” [Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A personal crisis sparked a symbolic tattoo, reflecting identity and belonging. **In simple terms:** Crisis led to a meaningful tattoo. Key Takeaway Embrace symbols that affirm self. Themes identity belonging self‑expression Mood introspective nostalgic determined Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - tattoo decisions - personal branding - self‑acceptance - cultural rituals Key Concepts symbolism personal narrative cultural identity Questions to Reflect On - What symbols define you? - Can you evolve beyond them? A Different Perspective Symbols may become limiting if they lock you into a fixed image. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brooks/) [Cowboy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cowboy/) [Cowboy Deal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cowboy-deal-2862865/) [Cowboy Tattoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cowboy-tattoo-2862861/) [Deals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deals/) [Elbows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elbows/) [Hats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hats/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Ridiculous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ridiculous/) [Rodeo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rodeo/) [Rodeos Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rodeos-thought-2862863/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) [Tattoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tattoo/) [Think Cowboy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-cowboy-2862864/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thought Cowboy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-cowboy-2862862/) [Wounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wounds/) [Wrists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrists/) ## Related quotes > [Rodeo riders are the last of the true chivalrous groups of people. It's a place where the competition is really pure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-glenn/rodeo-riders-are-the-last-of-the-true-chivalrous-groups-of-people-it/) [Scott Glenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-glenn/) > [I had so much horse I knew I could wait until something opened up. I was in a good position and could see where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosie-napravnik/i-had-so-much-horse-i-knew-i-could-wait-until-something-opened-up-i/) [Rosie Napravnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosie-napravnik/) > [I don't think rodeo is cruel at all. Bullriding is the only man-animal event that makes sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-glenn/i-don-t-think-rodeo-is-cruel-at-all-bullriding-is-the-only-man-animal/) [Scott Glenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-glenn/) > [I raise quarter horses. Mine are mostly thoroughbred cross horses, a little bigger horses than some people like. I sell them or use them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilford-brimley/i-raise-quarter-horses-mine-are-mostly-thoroughbred-cross-horses-a/) [Wilford Brimley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilford-brimley/) > [I guess like most people I'm a bargain-hunter. I love a bargain. I found out there's two prices on everything. There's the Rodeo Drive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liberace/i-guess-like-most-people-i-m-a-bargain-hunter-i-love-a-bargain-i/) [Liberace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liberace/) > [“In high school I barely made the rodeo team. But I wasn’t good enough to start, so I just rode the bench.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/in-high-school-i-barely-made-the-rodeo-team-but-i-wasn-t-good-enough/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [I hit Black Friday up like you won't believe. From Rodeo to Barneys to Saks to Neiman's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-marcille/i-hit-black-friday-up-like-you-won-t-believe-from-rodeo-to-barneys-to/) [Eva Marcille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-marcille/) > [When the riots happened in L.A., they didn't go to Beverly Hills to trash Rodeo Drive. They trashed their own neighborhoods. It's one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-l-jackson/when-the-riots-happened-in-l-a-they-didn-t-go-to-beverly-hills-to/) [Samuel L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-l-jackson/) > [If riding bulls was easy we would call it roping and if wrestleing was easy we would call it basketball and if country was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-riding-bulls-was-easy-we-would-call-it-roping-and-if-wrestleing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've been on lots of film sets. I've produced films and written films and been around, so it wasn't my first rodeo in terms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mazer/i-ve-been-on-lots-of-film-sets-i-ve-produced-films-and-written-films/) [Dan Mazer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mazer/) > [I studied trumpet for almost 15 years and was performing with a professional concert marching band in parades and rodeos. I was headed back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-carlos-nakai/i-studied-trumpet-for-almost-15-years-and-was-performing-with-a/) [R. Carlos Nakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-carlos-nakai/) > [I didn't volunteer for the rodeo. I got roped into it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/i-didn-t-volunteer-for-the-rodeo-i-got-roped-into-it/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [The mind of a pleasure horse, the ability to work like a cutting horse, and run like a racehorse, is what my horse is.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ps/the-mind-of-a-pleasure-horse-the-ability-to-work-like-a-cutting-horse/) [Ps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ps/) > [You might be a redneck if your sophisticated show-biz cousin is a rodeo clown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-foxworthy/you-might-be-a-redneck-if-your-sophisticated-show-biz-cousin-is-a/) [Jeff Foxworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-foxworthy/) > [“Don't fuck with me, fellas. This ain't my first time at the rodeo.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-crawford/don-t-fuck-with-me-fellas-this-ain-t-my-first-time-at-the-rodeo/) [Joan Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-crawford/) ## More by Ronnie Dunn > [I do have to step out and take time to let people know that I'm Ronnie Dunn and not Brooks and Dunn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-dunn/i-do-have-to-step-out-and-take-time-to-let-people-know-that-i-m/) [Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) > [When I get all focused on songwriting, I get into all the marketing and promotion that we do to make it happen. Then the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-dunn/when-i-get-all-focused-on-songwriting-i-get-into-all-the-marketing/) [Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) > [What I've learned by going out and playing smaller venues and being more in touch with people is getting feedback, just by virtue of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-dunn/what-i-ve-learned-by-going-out-and-playing-smaller-venues-and-being/) [Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) > [I pay less attention to my hair then probably anybody that I know. I get out of the shower, I towel dry it. I,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-dunn/i-pay-less-attention-to-my-hair-then-probably-anybody-that-i-know-i/) [Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) > [My preference is 3,000, maybe 5,000-seat venues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-dunn/my-preference-is-3-000-maybe-5-000-seat-venues/) [Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) > [I grew up in trailer houses in New Mexico, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-dunn/i-grew-up-in-trailer-houses-in-new-mexico-arkansas-texas-and-oklahoma/) [Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) > [My own grandmother went to great lengths to make sure I knew simple things like how and when to open the door for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-dunn/my-own-grandmother-went-to-great-lengths-to-make-sure-i-knew-simple/) [Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) > [I grew up very modest, and I never forget that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-dunn/i-grew-up-very-modest-and-i-never-forget-that/) [Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) > [The music has to drive you. That's just it. You follow it. You follow the songs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-dunn/the-music-has-to-drive-you-that-s-just-it-you-follow-it-you-follow/) [Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) > [A great epiphany: I found out that I'm totally confused and I'm good with that. I'm consistently inconsistent. I'm all of the above. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-dunn/a-great-epiphany-i-found-out-that-i-m-totally-confused-and-i-m-good/) [Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) > [Country fans are the most loyal in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-dunn/country-fans-are-the-most-loyal-in-the-world/) [Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) > [I went to 13 schools in 12 years. We moved all over the place. Music was the only thing that I could get behind...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-dunn/i-went-to-13-schools-in-12-years-we-moved-all-over-the-place-music/) [Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) > [I don't walk around with a cowboy hat. I did get a tattoo that says 'cowboy' that's a bit of an over-compensation, probably.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-dunn/i-don-t-walk-around-with-a-cowboy-hat-i-did-get-a-tattoo-that-says/) [Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) > [What a fine line there is between artistry and insanity. There's no formula for it, and I think a lot of people when they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-dunn/what-a-fine-line-there-is-between-artistry-and-insanity-there-s-no/) [Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) > [Sometimes, I work a little more from emotion than I do from rational thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-dunn/sometimes-i-work-a-little-more-from-emotion-than-i-do-from-rational/) [Ronnie Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) [Explore all 33 Ronnie Dunn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-dunn/) ## More Brooks quotes > [I was a full time student either at Stony Brook or NYU getting my masters degree. After I graduated with my masters I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-algieri/i-was-a-full-time-student-either-at-stony-brook-or-nyu-getting-my/) [Chris Algieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-algieri/) > [Oh for a seat in some poetic nook, Just hid with trees and sparkling with a brook!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-hunt/oh-for-a-seat-in-some-poetic-nook-just-hid-with-trees-and-sparkling/) [Leigh Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-hunt/) > [I'm a working-class former apprentice electrician; at the age of 14, if you'd told me I would one day be standing on a stage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gordon-sinclair/i-m-a-working-class-former-apprentice-electrician-at-the-age-of-14-if/) [John Gordon Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gordon-sinclair/) > [And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/and-this-our-life-exempt-from-public-haunt-finds-tongues-in-trees/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Narrative should flow as flows the brook down through the hills and the leafy woodlands...a brook that never goes straight for a minute, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/narrative-should-flow-as-flows-the-brook-down-through-the-hills-and/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [I've played with the best drummers in rock, ranging from Josh Freese to Brooks Wackerman to even Dave Lombardo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-trujillo/i-ve-played-with-the-best-drummers-in-rock-ranging-from-josh-freese/) [Robert Trujillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-trujillo/) > [There are natures that go to the streams of life in great cities as the hart goes to the water brooks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-gilbert-hamerton/there-are-natures-that-go-to-the-streams-of-life-in-great-cities-as/) [Philip Gilbert Hamerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-gilbert-hamerton/) > [I never stepped foot into a Brooks Brothers before 'Mad Men.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-staton/i-never-stepped-foot-into-a-brooks-brothers-before-mad-men/) [Aaron Staton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-staton/) > [The audience. They see the name Mel Brooks, they want something really funny. They don't want to be moved; they don't want to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-brooks/the-audience-they-see-the-name-mel-brooks-they-want-something-really/) [Mel Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-brooks/) > [Instead of a river, God often gives us a brook, which may be running today and dried up tomorrow. Why? To teach us not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/instead-of-a-river-god-often-gives-us-a-brook-which-may-be-running/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“Take care of Katy, Dani. Keep her safe and love her forever. Make sure Brooks never takes her for granted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-foor/take-care-of-katy-dani-keep-her-safe-and-love-her-forever-make-sure/) [Jennifer Foor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-foor/) > [They wanted me to play third like Brooks so I did play like Brooks - Mel Brooks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-van-slyke/they-wanted-me-to-play-third-like-brooks-so-i-did-play-like-brooks/) [Andy Van Slyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-van-slyke/) > [Many can brook the weather that love not the wind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/many-can-brook-the-weather-that-love-not-the-wind/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [ \[T\]he dignity of parliament it seems can brook no opposition to it's power. Strange that a set of men who have made sale of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/t-he-dignity-of-parliament-it-seems-can-brook-no-opposition-to-it-s/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Hark, I hear a robin calling! List, the wind is from the south! And the orchard-bloom is falling Sweet as kisses on the mouth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-maud-montgomery/hark-i-hear-a-robin-calling-list-the-wind-is-from-the-south-and-the/) [Lucy Maud Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-maud-montgomery/) [Browse all 356 Brooks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brooks/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was freaking out when Brooks & Dunn were breaking up. I thought 'We play a ton of rodeos, and I thought this was such a cowboy deal, and I don't wear a hat. They might not think I'm a cowboy. 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