The dominating duo

Ernest A. Jasmin, for the Northwest Guardian

They’re more massive than Montgomery Gentry. They’re bigger than Big & Rich. And there’s little arguing that Brooks & Dunn – Thursday’s main attraction at the Tacoma Dome – is the most successful country duo in history.

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn have sold more than 30 million records since they hit pay dirt with their debut album, “Brand New Man,” in 1991. And the dynamic duo has managed to remain relevant as country trends have come and gone, from the line-dancing craze of the ’90s – their 1992 hit “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” was to line dancing as Marcia Griffiths’ “Electric Boogie” was to the electric slide – to the flood of patriotic anthems a few years ago.

Brooks & Dunn’s 2001 hit “Only in America” was written well before the terrorist attacks that served as inspiration for many of their peers’ patriotic fervor. And it remains an overwhelming fan favorite, having served as the feel-good finale to B&D’s headlining set at Auburn’s White River Amphitheatre last year.

The Country Music Association might as well rename its best vocal duo award the Brooks & Dunn Trophy, since the titanic twosome has walked away from the CMA Awards with that honor every year since 1992, with the exception of 2000 when upstarts Montgomery Gentry broke their streak.

And surprise, surprise! B&D will be up for the honor again, like clockwork, when they host this year’s awards show, which will be broadcast at 8 p.m. Nov. 6 on Channel 4. (Brooks & Dunn’s management has not been making the pair available for interviews recently, citing the awards show as the reason.)

Brooks & Dunn stand to win big at the CMAs with nods in several other categories, including entertainer of the year, album of the year (for last year’s “Hillbilly Deluxe”); single, song and video of the year (all three for the inspirational “Believe”); and musical event of the year (for “Building Bridges,” with Sheryl Crow and Vince Gill).

Later next month, Brooks & Dunn will also be up for the favorite country band, duo or group award at the American Music Awards, where they will go up against Montgomery Gentry and Rascal Flatts on Nov. 21.

Recent reviews suggest Thursday’s set will be similar to the hit-filled show the duo delivered to about 9,000 thrilled onlookers at White River.

Last year, B&D kicked off with “Red Dirt Road” and packed their set with such crowd pleasers as “Play Something Country,” “Little Miss Honky Tonk,” “Rock My World (Little Country Girl)” and, of course, the obligatory “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.”

This time around they will have rising stars Sugarland and Jack Ingram in tow.

Sugarland – a band fronted by soulful singer Jennifer Nettles and whose recent hits include “Something More,” “Stand Back Up” and “Down in Mississippi” – was a smash at the Puyallup Fair grandstand in September 2005 when they did opening honors for Brad Paisley.

What: Brooks & Dunn in concert, with Sugarland and Jack Ingram

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Tacoma Dome

Tickets: $39.50 to $50

Info: Ticketmaster, 253-627-8497 in Tacoma, 206-628-0888 in Seattle