Tim McGraw’s Heart-Wrenching Cover of “That Ain’t No Way to Go” Remains a Classic Tribute to Brooks & Dunn

Remember When Tim McGraw Honored Brooks & Dunn at Their “Last Rodeo”?

Back in 2009, country duo Brooks & Dunn announced their retirement, capping off nearly two decades of hits with one final tour, The Last Rodeo.

To celebrate their legendary career, the ACM hosted a special event, ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn – The Last Rodeo, taped at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The night was packed with tributes from stars like Taylor Swift, Jennifer Nettles, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, and Carrie Underwood—each performing one of Brooks & Dunn’s most iconic songs.

One particularly memorable moment came when Tim McGraw took the stage to perform “That Ain’t No Way to Go,” Brooks & Dunn’s 1994 chart-topping hit.

The Story Behind “That Ain’t No Way to Go”

Co-written by Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, and Don Cook, “That Ain’t No Way to Go” tells the painful story of a breakup where the woman leaves without a word. The lyrics capture the heartbreak perfectly:

“That ain’t no way to go, girl, it just ain’t right. Don’t you think that I deserve to hear you say goodbye?”

Released as the final single from their Hard Workin’ Man album, the song quickly climbed the charts—starting at #55 before reaching #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. It became Brooks & Dunn’s sixth No. 1 hit and landed at No. 11 on the year-end Country Songs chart in 1994.

Tim McGraw’s Moving Tribute

Before launching into his heartfelt performance, McGraw shared a few words:

“I remember hearing Brooks & Dunn on the radio back in 1991,” he said, making Kix and Ronnie smile.
“And I got really excited because I knew they were the new direction of country music…
I’m just an old boy from Louisiana who was lucky enough to be a country singer during the era of the greatest duo that’s ever sang a song.”

McGraw then delivered a powerful rendition of “That Ain’t No Way to Go,” pouring his heart into every note. It was a highlight of the night and a fitting tribute to Brooks & Dunn’s legacy.

Brooks & Dunn: Still Going Strong

Although The Last Rodeo marked their farewell at the time, Brooks & Dunn later reunited in 2015 for a Las Vegas residency with Reba McEntire. Since then, they’ve released two collaborative albums (Reboot in 2019 and Reboot II in 2024), continued touring, and were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. They even reclaimed the CMA’s Vocal Duo of the Year Award in 2024—their first win in that category since 2006.

You can watch Tim McGraw’s unforgettable tribute performance in the video below!