Ronnie Dunn Opens Up About Recent Illness That Required A Hospital Visit
on Jul 07, 2026
Ronnie Dunn revealed that he had to visit the hospital after falling ill recently.
The Brooks & Dunn member opened up to fans in a video shared on the duo’s social media over the weekend.
They were getting ready to open for Morgan Wallen on his Still the Problem Tour, but Ronnie admitted he wasn’t feeling 100% ready to get on stage.
“I don’t feel too good tonight,” the 73-year-old said. “Went to Vanderbilt yesterday. I struggled a little bit last week.”
Ronnie said he initially thought he had injured his vocal cords, but after undergoing some tests, doctors determined he was actually dealing with bronchitis.
“They said hydrate, and I’ve been drinking stuff all day, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to pee my pants onstage,” he joked.
The good news is that bronchitis usually isn’t a serious illness and often starts to improve within one to two weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic.
That said, it can still be pretty miserable. Common symptoms include a cough, chest discomfort, a sore throat, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
Needless to say, for someone like Ronnie, who sings for a living, this isn’t an ideal situation, especially with back-to-back shows on their schedule.
Ronnie Dunn Powers Through During Recent Show
As the video continued, viewers watched Brooks & Dunn make their way around the venue, meeting fans from a distance. Ronnie explained that at the time, he wasn’t feeling like being around large groups of people.
“I don’t know why,” Ronnie says about not feeling social. “Usually it doesn’t bother me.”
“I think my blood sugar’s off,” he adds. “Having bronchitis is driving me crazy.”
At one point, Brooks & Dunn and their team were walking down a long flight of stairs. When the camera panned over to Ronnie, you could see him leaning over the handrail to catch his breath for a moment before continuing on.
But when it came time to step on stage and perform in front of a stadium full of fans, Ronnie powered through, and Brooks & Dunn put on a great show as they always do.
If you’ve been a longtime follower of Brooks & Dunn, then Ronnie’s resilience probably doesn’t come as a surprise to you. Fans have seen him push through illness before.
Last year, he battled both strep throat and COVID, and although he eventually had to leave the stage early during the encore because of vocal issues, he still made it through nearly the entire concert with little to no energy.
Brooks & Dunn still have a few more dates opening for Morgan Wallen on his tour before they hit the road for their own headlining Neon Moon Tour 2026, which is scheduled to run throughout September and October.
