Watch the video at the end of this article.
Introduction
When Brooks & Dunn released “Rock My World (Little Country Girl)” in December 1993, the song quickly became one of the duo’s signature upbeat hits. Written by Bill LaBounty and Steve O’Brien, and featured on the album Hard Workin’ Man, the track reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and was their second single to feature Kix Brooks on lead vocals instead of Ronnie Dunn.
Fast forward to 2024, in an effort to refresh their older works, Brooks & Dunn released Reboot II, a collaborative album inviting contemporary artists to reinterpret their classic hits. Marcus King, a celebrated Southern rocker, was brought on board to reimagine “Rock My World,” with his band creating a blues-infused version, complete with soulful guitar work and a powerful vocal performance.
Then, at CMA Fest 2025, which took place from June 5-8 in Nashville and aired in a special program on June 26 on ABC (later streaming on Hulu), Brooks & Dunn delivered a memorable moment. For the opening segment at Nissan Stadium, they invited Marcus King back to the stage for a high-energy performance of “Rock My World (Little Country Girl).” The performance maintained the vibrancy of the original but was elevated by Marcus King’s expert guitar skills and blues-driven vocal style. This was widely considered one of the most talked-about collaborations of the night, earning praise as a standout moment in an evening full of duets and surprises.
This on-stage reunion perfectly embodied the spirit of Reboot II—connecting country tradition with modern styles—and was an exciting testament to Brooks & Dunn’s enduring legacy and their willingness to innovate alongside rising stars.