Dunn originally wanted to be a Baptist minister and attended Abilene Christian University, in Abilene, Texas. He attended the Bible College until he was asked to leave because he was performing at the local bars around town. Brooks traveled to Alaska to work on the pipeline and to Maine to work in advertising, he then moved to Nashville. A former classmate worked for Charlie Daniels’ publishing company and helped Brooks make some connections in Nashville. Brooks became a staff writer at Tree Publishing, where he penned hits for John Conley, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Highway 101, Sawyer Brown, The Oak Ridge Boys and Ricky Van Shelton.