Ronnie Dunn Doesn't Trust Government to Fix Country's Problems, Thinks Gwyneth Paltrow Has Moxie

In a April 19, 2010 file photo, Kix Brooks, left, and Ronnie Dunn accept the ACM Milestone Award during “The Last Rodeo” tribute concert, in Las Vegas. (AP)

Ronnie Dunn, half of the superstar country duo Brooks and Dunn, has made his first foray as a solo artist with a self-titled debut album and the single “Cost of Livin.” More than just a song, Dunn says it is a powerful reflection on current economic times.

“(I had) tears running down my face, just hearing all these different stories from repossessed houses to people having trouble getting Medicare,” Dunn told FOX411’s Pop Tarts of the motivation behind the album. “But I’m a lot more comfortable singing about it than I am talking politics and economics.”

The country star said he doesn’t have the answers, and wishes the government would stop pretending that they did.

“The last people ... to really fix anything is the government. It may be one of the most inefficient entities out there. [Remember] the old saying, if you want to turn a great idea into an at best mediocre idea, present it to Congress and the Senate,” he said. “I’m not sure that the current group of politicians that are in power are able to deal with it. I wish one of the higher-ups, if not Obama or whoever, would just walk up and go, ‘We have our hands full right here, I’m not sure we know what to do.’ But these days, he who is the best orator and delivers the best rhetoric seems to get the job, not necessarily the best guy for the job.”

Dunn is watching the current GOP Presidential debates and is hopeful that the 2012 election will bring about change.

“I have one (candidate) that is exciting me,” he said.

And while Dunn is a traditional country musician through and through, he doesn’t mind the occasional Hollywood type turning to Nashville, and was particularly impressed by actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who starred in the 2010 film “Country Strong,” and even sang at the CMAs to promote the film.

“You can dabble in, but you’re going to have to be sincere. People know when you’re just playing the game and trying to ride with the cowboys,” he added. “I thought Gwyneth did a great job under a lot of pressure and handled it well. A lot of us were surprised at her CMA performance for the movie. She stepped up and delivered and you could tell she was scared a little bit. We’re all scared and nervous, but she stepped up, strummed her guitar, and sang on pitch.”

Deidre Behar contributed to this report.