NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, who have been churning out country hits since 1991, recently spoke with American Songwriter about Taylor Swift’s role in shaping country music and the music industry as a whole.

According to Parade, during the interview published on November 7, the music duo Brooks & Dunn praised Swift’s effect on country music, with Dunn, 71, saying it has been “for the better”.

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn praise Taylor Swift’s impact on country music

During the interview, Cindy Watts asked Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, “Do you think Taylor Swift’s contribution to country music has affected the genre? If so, is it for better or worse?”

Ronnie Dunn didn’t hesitate. “I think it’s for the better,” he responded.

Speaking with Watts, Dunn added, “She came in as a country artist, and that thread is still very much there,” acknowledging Swift’s country roots, which she showcased in her early albums like ‘Taylor Swift’ and ‘Fearless’.

Brooks and Dunn, who have amassed over 50 awards throughout their career, including two Grammys and 30 ACM awards, also highlighted Swift’s songwriting talent, with Brooks, 69 noting, “She’s a really good songwriter.”

“Regardless if you’re not a pop fan of hers, which there’s not many young girls who are not.”

Brooks praised her ability to craft her own songs, stating, “When she was here as a bona fide country artist, she wrote all those songs herself. I don’t know anybody who wouldn’t say that she’s a really good songwriter because she is.”

Swift, who later pivoted to pop with her 2014 album ‘1989’—which won her a Grammy for Album of the Year—has since experimented with genres like indie folk and alternative, continuing to captivate audiences with her versatility.

Reflecting on Swift’s massive cultural presence, Brooks said, “And, you know, all the rest of it, the antics she has, the stadiums, and the whole Taylor Swift world, it’s like ‘Barbie’ big. That’s a whole different world of its own.”

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn laud ‘down-to-earth’ Taylor Swift

While speaking with American Songwriter about ‘Reboot 2’, their upcoming collaborative album, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn also praised Taylor Swift for not letting her fame and phenomenal success get to head.

“Taylor’s still down-to-earth, though,” Dunn pointed out. “She’s there for a reason. Sincerity is a powerful weapon in authenticity, and she’s that.”

Swift is riding high on the success of her 2024 album ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ which reigned for 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Meanwhile, her iconic Eras Tour has broken records and earned more than $1 billion, and it isn’t even over yet.