Category: 2012
Calling all Big Country fans making the Journey to Dunfermline
Calling all Big Country fans making the Journey to Dunfermline
Come and join the band outside the Glen Pavilion in Pittencrieff Park at 2pm on Sunday 30th December to be part of a unique recording session, that will see all those in attendance contributing backing vocals to one of the new tracks on the forthcoming album “The Journey”.
This historic day will also involve a guided tour of Big Country associated locations and landmarks, in and around the Glen Pavilion, that will begin after the recording session. Your host for the tour, is George Eggo (pictured below), Dunfermline resident and lifelong friend of Stuart Adamson from the age of 13. George is a goldmine of information and insights into the life and times of Stuart and Bruce, and Big Country in general, so feel free to ask George questions as he regales you with memories and sights.
Doors for the main event, will open at 7pm, with Special Guest The Gillyflowers (featuring none other than Stuarts daughter, Kirsten Adamson on lead vocals), followed by a full on Big Country electric set.
Due to public demand, Big Country have just released a further 100 tickets for the evening gig, which will be available throughout the day, or on the night.
Stay Alive and Dream Aloud
Happy Christmas from Big Country
Merry Christmas everyone, thanks for your years of continued support. Looking forward to hooking up with you in 2013
Bruce & Jamie Watson
a1, a2, a1234 Happy Christmas and New Year, see you at the next Bish Bash Bosh.
I’ll Count you in.
Mark Brzezicki.
Merry Christmas to all the Big Country Family. May all your dreams stay with you…. Nollaig chridheil huibh.
Mike Peters
Hi all, a very merry Xmas to you, one and all throughout the World. I have asked Santa for Tony’s skill to help me do him proud for my first, full electric shows this year. Have a wonderful time, and come and say hi at the gigs… I don’t bite… May the Forbes be with You.
Derek Forbes
Introducing: The Great Divide Podcasts
THE GREAT DIVIDE PODCASTS are the product of the fine talents, energies and enthusiasm of
Tom ‘Diss’ Kercheval and Svein Børge Hjorthaug (and not forgetting the occasional but invaluable
contributions and assistance of John Gouveia).
Recently, Bruce Watson sat down for 4 hours with the guys via Skype, for an interview that is,
without question, THE DEFINITIVE Bruce Watson interview.
The results of this, is a trilogy of fascinating, in-depth, extensive interviews with Bruce Watson
(split into three 79 minute episodes), and together they are a highly informative and entertaining
insight into Big Country: past, present and future, a must-listen for all Big Country fans.
EPISODE 10: Bruce talks about recording of the new album, new bassist Derek Forbes, recent
touring and thoughts for the future. There’s also some exclusive audio of a couple tracks from the
recent Hard Rock gig, and a unique acoustic performance of “Peace In Our Time” with Bruce and
Jamie on guitar and ‘Diss’ on vocals and mandoguitar, as well as Bruce and Jamie discussing their
CD “Another Anthem for the Damned,” and much, much more.
EPISODE 11: Bruce discusses BC releases from THE CROSSING, STEELTOWN, THE SEER (and
RESTLESS NATIVES soundtrack) at great length, revealing many previously unknown facts.
EPISODE 12: Bruce talks candidly about the studio albums PEACE IN OUR TIME, NO PLACE LIKE
HOME, THE BUFFALO SKINNERS , WHY THE LONG FACE and DRIVING TO DAMASCUS, and there
is an exclusive playing of a full quality instrumental from the REL sessions in 1987 that has never
been released before.
Episodes 10 and 11 were released in November, and Episode 12 has just been released (all free
to Download). In the words of one Big Country Fan, CJ Wade: “This podcast (episode 12) has it
all: metal hair, dancing girls, label changes, COPS, the Furs, nudity, continuity, and an unreleased
demo. Bloody fantastic! Really enjoyed hearing about Buffalo Skinners, one of my absolute
favourites. So grateful to Bruce for participating in the three podcasts. So many great insights.
Great job guys!”
THE GREAT DIVIDE PODCASTS can be downloaded from:
http://www.bigcountryinfo.com/pages/mainpages/podcasts.htm
and
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/great-divide-big-country-podcast/id582391015
THE GREAT DIVIDE PODCASTS FACEBOOK PAGE:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/427617493925421
Welcome to the new Big Country Website
Welcome
The new website has now been live for a short while now and we would like to start by saying thank you for all your continued support and the many positive comments we have received regarding the new look website.
To start things off we have video clips recorded during recently during recording sessions… and we have the bits they didn’t want you to see!! To play all the clips together please play the video below, and the individual clips can be seen on the right.
We already have some new content, with exclusive photos in the ‘Gallery’ section, of both the rehearsal for the RAK studios 30th Anniversary of the recording of The Crossing, and photos from both the shows and behind the scenes at the studio.
Photographer Stuart Ling also spent the day with the band at O2 Academy in Sheffield in February 2012, and we have a comprehensive selection of images from the day giving a great glimpse of a show day. And as if that wasn’t enough, we have photos from one of the 2011 shows at the V-Festival.
Coming soon, we will have new sections to the website, including equipment info, videos, new photos, an all-new shop and a brand new user regulated forum, where we hope you will share your videos, images and memories of your journey with Big Country.
Thank you for journeying with us.
THE OUT-TAKES!
The Gillyflowers – Special guests at Glen Pavilion
Big Country are very proud to announce that THE GILLYFLOWERS will be their Special Guests appearing at the Glen Pavilion, Dunfermline on Sunday 30th December 2012.
The Gillyflowers are an ever changing entity that encapsulate the songs written by lead singer/songwriter, Kirsten Adamson.
Brought together in 2008 they began playing live shows around the UK, picking up a handful of promising reviews along the way. With fans desperate for an album to take home, they have spent the last 2 years recording and producing their first record, ‘Queen Of Hearts’. Kirsten Adamson comes from a historical musical background in Scotland. Growing up, her two main influences were Kate Bush and her father’s band, Big Country. In 1998 her father relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where she would spend her summers and it was here where she was first exposed to country music. Classically trained from a young age, Kirsten was surprised to find that a country twang came naturally to her and on returning home from Nashville was desperate to learn to play guitar too! She was 17 when she eventually picked one up, wrote her first song and hasn’t stopped for breath since!
The imminent album, ‘Queen of Hearts’, is not just another country record, It’s an intimate insight in to the reality of Kirsten’s life, in short and so far. From the heartwrenching lullabies of ‘Leave A Light On’ and ‘Before You Fall’ to the heartwarming hits such as ‘No Dancing’ and ‘Country Boy’ the ‘Queen of Hearts’ is sure to hit a nerve. Gritty, gossipy lyrics iced with poppy harmonies, crunchy melodic guitars and melancholy fiddle lines tell tales of longing and loathing, breaking hearts and being heart broken. Adamson’s voice and honest lyrics slice through todays musical norm, hitting you with songs for falling in and out of love. ‘Queen of Hearts’ is an instantly unforgettable debut album from an exciting new artist with a long career ahead!
The Gillyflowers first single ‘No Dancing’ is due for release on December 30th 2012 and will be available for download and in physical form on the similarly titled 5 track EP.
For all news, tour dates and merchandise head to www.kirstenadamson.com or add them on Facebook or Twitter!
”The Gillyflowers have a growing following, and have in Kirsten Adamson a Dolly Partonesque country singer of poise and mighty ability.” David Pollock – The Scotsman
”With Adamson’s voice and acoustic guitar lent harmonic weight by two similarly apparelled female back-up singers, several examples of wild-flower discreetly adorn the stage. Both lend a showbiz dash to an already tight-knit and well-turned-out combo.” Neil Cooper -The Herald
“See them while you can still see the whites of their eyes. If your heart doesn’t melt, ask your doctor for a transplant.” Ed -17 Seconds Records
The Journey Tour 2013
We are pleased to announce that Big Country THE JOURNEY Tour starts in April 2013, with a series of gigs in the UK, to coincide with the release of the bands highly anticipated 9th studio album. Dates in other countries will be announced in due course.
Tickets for the UK tour dates will be on sale from 9am on Friday 14th December onwards, available from venue box offices, ticket hotlines and online outlets.
We will post a list of direct links for tickets for each UK venue in the coming 48 hours, and look forward to you all making the journey with us in 2013.
Bruce, Mark, Mike, Jamie, Derek
Red Hot Highland Fling – 31.12.2012
Big Country are proud to announce that the band will be performing a special Hogmanay concert on New Years Eve in Inverness, Scotland at the Red Hot Highland Fling in the Northern Meeting Park Arena. The event (free admission), will be the second concert to feature the line up of the band that includes founder member Bruce Watson, Mark Brzezicki, Jamie Watson, Mike Peters and new bass player Derek Forbes (Simple Minds).
This event will be free to the public and promises to be a very special night indeed. As the band look forward to continuing adventures in 2013, we have been making great headway in unifying all the various internet portals that represent Big Country online and have been very appreciative of the efforts by original manager Ian Grant and departing bass player Tony Butler, who have both been very gracious and supportive of the new direction the band wish to follow. To mark this new beginning, a revamped Big Country website will appear at the www.bigcountry.co.uk address as soon as time allows along with a unified Facebook page and twitter account.
Big Country would also like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all fans and family associated with the band for their support and understanding over the last few weeks in what has appeared (outwardly at least), to be fractious and at times confusing. Everything is now back on track and so in the words of ‘Another Country’, let’s “Dream Aloud” and turn our thoughts to the future and the beginning of a new and exciting Journey.
Stay Alive – Big Country
Message from Derek Forbes
Hello everyone,
I first met Stuart Adamson in 1977, when I played gigs in Glasgow and Edinburgh with my band the Subhumans,(Subs). We became friends then, along with Richard Jobson, Will Simpson and Tam Kellichan. I joined Simple MInds in 1978, and we would bump into the Skids on many an evening in London. I was at loads of the Skids performances in the early days, and loved every minute of the shows. Richard asked me to join the band on one occasion, but I stuck with Simple Minds. One day in the Townhouse Studios , after the Skids split up, Stuart and I were talking over a cup of tea, as we were both working there, me with Simple Minds, and Stuart with Big Country, his new band! He told me later that he wanted me to record some bass tracks on the recordings, but was too shy to ask…This was pre Tony and Mark…..Stuart, now it has happened, old friend.
I met Stuart , on and off, many a time, including a gig at the Barrowland with Simple Minds, where we shared a taxi to the Hilton Hotel after a U2 gig…The last time I spoke to Stuart was at the ‘Kosovo gig’ at the SECC in Glasgow. He was one of Scotland’s greatest guitar heroes, a marvelous talent, and a wonderful man… I feel in my heart, that he would be happy that I have agreed to fill the incredible Tony Butler’s shoes.
I love this band, and I love the guys who I will be playing with onstage on this incredible adventure…You all know Bruce…but I can honestly say that I have never laughed so much in my life, as when I shared a room with him across America and Canada in 2006 with ‘fourgoodmen’, and also Touring with Mike Peters with ‘The Alarm’ and ‘Los Mondo Bongo’. He is an inspiration to anyone who knows him, and is a fitting friend and frontman for Big Country…Jamie is an incredible talent in the mold of his father Bruce…I am looking forward , so much, to playing with one of the Worlds greatest drummers….even my old compatriot Mel Gaynor is in awe of this man’s talent..and rightly so… I can’t wait Mark!
I hope I do not disappoint any of the Big Country family, and I will endeavour to do my best in this amazing new adventure….thanks for all your flattering comments and continued support of the band.
Derek Forbes
0 Pinktober
Big Country’s Bruce Watson, Mike Peters and Jamie Watson will perform a special one-off Big Country Acoustic set in support of Hard Rock Edinburgh’s Pinktober.
The event takes place on Thursday, October 25th, 2012, and the ticket link is available in the Live Shows page.
Pinktober®, Hard Rock’s campaign for breast cancer awareness, heads into its 13th year stronger than ever. We invite you to join forces with Hard Rock® and a host of musicians around the world for parties, live music events, and the chance to raise awareness and money for local, national and international charities. As well, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Pinktober® apparel and accessories goes directly to breast cancer research. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and The Caron Keating Foundation are just two of the amazing organizations that will benefit from your participation in Pinktober®.
0 Re-Introducing Big Country
“When we are playing it is as if we never stopped, but I know we have, I know we suffered a great loss. But you heal . . . slowly. I can assure you that Stuart will be there with us every night, in our thoughts, in our words, and in our hearts. And now we find ourselves maybe not fully healed, but whole enough to hear the calling to continue this story. And time has made me realize that this story has always been about our fans, the love we have for our fans, and the love they have selflessly given us back.” Bruce Watson – Big Country
BIG COUNTRY Announce Exclusive Engagement
The Journey Begins (ave atque vale)
Big Country would like to extend an invitation to all fans and friends to be a part of a new adventure. This adventure marks the first staging post on a journey towards a new beginning, a renewed energy, and a dedication to carry on with new dreams and new music, as the band closes a chapter with the finale performance of their 30th Anniversary celebration.
This exclusive engagement will take place at the legendary Glen Pavilion in the band’s home town of Dunfermline, on Sunday, December 30th, 2012. Big Country was born on this stage when they performed their first ever concert on February 2nd, 1982 with a line up consisting of founding members Stuart Adamson and Bruce Watson, together with Clive Parker, Pete and Alan Wishart. The Glen Pavilion stage also hosted the inaugural gig with the members that would record the signature album ‘The Crossing’ when Bruce and Stuart were joined for the first time by bass player Tony Butler and drummer Mark Brzezicki.
Sadly, Tony Butler has decided to retire from his bass playing duties with Big Country. We wish him all the best. The Glen Pavilion will once again hold the keys of history for Big Country, as this will mark the second anniversary of vocalist Mike Peters and guitarist Jamie Watson, as well as being the first show to feature the introduction of bassist Derek Forbes (Simple Minds) into the Big Country family. A longtime friend of the band, Derek was originally asked to play bass on two early Big Country demos by Stuart Adamson back in 1982. Derek was recently voted “Best Scottish bass player of all time”.
At 1400 hours on the day of the concert, inside the grounds of Pittencrief Park, the journey towards a renewed Big Country will begin with a hail and farewell ceremony in the form of an open recording session on the outdoor stage of the Glen Pavilion. Big Country would like to extend an invitation to all fans and friends to be a part of this new adventure. Please be there by no later than 1345 to not only witness, but to participate in the recording of the first notes of BIG COUNTRY’s new music, and together we’ll place the first cornerstone of the future.
Stay Alive!
Big Country
Hail and Farewell (ave atque vale) is a traditional event whereby those coming to and departing from an organization are celebrated. This may coincide with a change in command, be scheduled on an annual basis, or be prompted by any momentous organizational change. It is a time to honor those who have departed and thank them for their service. At the same time it is a welcome to those who are joining and introduces them to the special history and traditions of their new organization. This celebration builds organizational camaraderie and esprit de corps. It supports a sense of continuity through change.