As I ascend the steps to the dressing room of Norwich UEA, I am confronted by a poster on the wall from the ‘Big Country – Final Fling Tour’ of 2000. I am instantly transported back in time and realise that the significant dates on the poster are really the origins of ‘why’ I am here today, especially when you see the support band is billed as ‘The Alarm 2000’. [read more]
I’ve just watched a youtube clip of Big Country playing here at Reading Hexagon in 1986. ‘Fields Of Fire’ played with bursts of The Clash and The Jam in the set up to the song’s opening. It’s 30 years ago since ‘The Crossing’ came out but the genesis of all our common ground is in the punk rock blitzkrieg of 1977. All of us on the stage tonight (apart from [read more]
Peace In Our Time…. This weekend’s news headlines in the UK are all about the peace making gesture of the handshake or lack thereof. No such problems here in the Big Country camp, we are all able to talk through the off stage circumstances that have dominated our own headlines from the ‘Crossing The Country Tour 2012’, and settle our differences and move on. These are the moments that give [read more]
Living with Cancer I have come home from the tour this morning to find a letter waiting for me confirming my next hospital appointment with Dr. David Edwards the cancer specialist I credit with keeping me alive and allowing me the opportunity to pursue my life as a husband, father and rock and roll singer. Most people who see me singing for Big Country on this tour will not know [read more]
There is no beauty here. I’ve got nothing to say this evening. I was put in a situation where I was forced to take my Love Hope Strength Charity banners down from inside the Leeds Academy tonight. Apparently, I should have asked for permission to display them from Big Country’s management first, and by not doing so had been disrespectful. I will be asking for ‘permission’ to continue the fight [read more]
As the westerlies sigh….. On the drive down the East Coast to the city of Newcastle I can’t help but overhear a story about Steve Marriott of the Small Faces / Humble Pie told by the erstwhile Barry Mead (our Tour Manager for the ‘Crossing The Country’ tour). Barry is describing the circumstances of his own personal entry point into rock and roll when he landed a job in a [read more]
Who saw the harvest home? We arrive in Dunfermline at lunchtime and decide to go on a tour of Stuart Adamson / Big Country historic sights (for those who may not know, Big Country is a Scottish band that was born in the city of Dunfermline in 1982). I’m being given a personal tour by none other than Mark Brzezicki drummer and band member since the band played in places [read more]
A day in the life of Big Country begins and what a day it is… Back to Barrowland, Glasgow, Scotland. It’s a very foggy drive through the city and I feel a stir in the pit of my stomach as we pull up outside the venue and it’s famous sign. Some Big Country fans are about already and we shoot some shots before getting inside. The friendly staff show me in [read more]
Here we go…. here we go….. here we go….. Woke up in Liverpool (what a night that was….), and grabbed a ride up to Scotland with John from New Jersey and Gordon from Dunfermline and on the way (somewhere north on the M6), we bumped into Jeff from Wisconsin and Nick from Wales…. Crossing The Country / Countries indeed. Talk turns to the Barrowlands show on Monday and it seems [read more]
Snow on the motorway as we leave Manchester bound for the ‘Pool. Couple of hours in hotel catching up on some dedicated lyrics and other ‘Alarm’ related projects and then over for the soundcheck. I like to stay at the venue once soundcheck is over to get a feel for the vibe the crowd always bring with them to each show. I like to wander through the venue and try [read more]
I’m now on stage in Manchester Academy and the lights are swirling around my head. To my immediate right is Bruce Watson and to my left Mr. Tony Butler, it’s a bit like going into battle with your best mates beside you. I’d go anywhere with these two especially knowing that Mark Brzezicki is picking up the rear and Jamie Watson is out there in the outside right position (that’s [read more]
The whirlwind has started….. …snow sweeping across the country, storms gathering and the cold is biting as I set off for the ‘Big Country – Crossing The Country Tour’ which begins in Manchester tonight. Appropriate weather for ‘The Crossing’ album presentation we are about to undertake. Shirts have been ironed and trousers selected plus the boots of shiny leather. All aboard the tour bus -let’s rock. We did a lot [read more]
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