Watch the video at the end of this article.
Introduction
Released in June 2007, “Proud of the House We Built” served as the first single from Brooks & Dunn’s tenth studio record, Cowboy Town, issued through Arista Nashville. The track was co-written by Ronnie Dunn, Marv Green, and Terry McBride, and produced by Dunn together with Kix Brooks and Tony Brown. At its heart, the song tells a personal story grounded in resilience, family ties, and the shared effort of building a life.
Upon release, the single entered the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart at No. 48 in mid-June and steadily climbed to reach No. 4, ranking among the most notable hits from the album. On the broader Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at No. 57, showing that its appeal stretched beyond core country listeners.
Musically, the piece is a mid-tempo anthem portraying a couple who start with little but gradually shape their world together. Dunn’s lead vocal performance underscores the sincerity of the lyrics, which celebrate victories both small and large, symbolized by the “house” they created—literal and metaphorical. Critics responded with mixed views: Country Universe gave it a B– rating, acknowledging its straightforward, heartfelt delivery but also pointing out that the production was somewhat overpowering and the melody lacked distinction. Some reviewers felt Dunn’s vocal strength deserved more dynamic material.
A stripped-down recording, released as part of Clear Channel Stripped 2007, presented the song in a more intimate format. This acoustic-leaning rendition brought the vocals and minimal instrumentation to the forefront, sharpening the emotional essence while removing the heavier studio arrangement.
The track’s impact was further recognized in 2008 when Brooks & Dunn earned a CMT Music Award nomination for Duo Video of the Year, confirming its prominence within country music at the time.
Within the broader scope of Cowboy Town, which leaned into rock-infused country sounds while still honoring traditional storytelling, “Proud of the House We Built” stands as a defining late-career highlight. It balances commercial success with personal authenticity, capturing both the duo’s signature style and their willingness to explore fresh directions.