Kix Brooks Runs With the Bulls

Brooks & Dunn's Kix Brooks; photo courtesy of Sony BMG Nashville.

July 11, 2008 — Brooks & Dunn have long used steer-skull imagery in their set design and the artwork for their albums — even calling one CD Steers & Stripes — so it’s rather appropriate that during a trip to Europe this week, Kix Brooks took part in the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

It’s something he’s wanted to do for a good eight years, so when the family took its vacation, which included some time in Italy, he found his way to Spain to join the throngs in the city’s weird foot race, which has been held annually for more than 400 years.

"It's a very narrow street that they run down," Kix says.

The runners get a head start, but it’s a dubious advantage.

"You can run as fast as you want," he notes. "You won't outrun 'em."

Thirteen people were injured in the run that Kix took part in — the first of eight that were held this week. Kix, luckily, was not among those who fell or were trampled.

"The best I can describe it is like maybe what it would be like with a tornado coming through," he told a Nashville radio station. "Everybody starts screaming. It all gets louder, and this huge conglomeration of horns and cow flesh come flying by you, and you just hope you're not stuck on them when they go."

Brooks & Dunn will get a rush again this weekend, though in a much safer environment. They appear Sunday at Kenny Chesney’s Poets & Pirates stadium date at Atlanta’s Turner Field, where the bill also includes Sammy Hagar, LeAnn Rimes and Gary Allan.