TEMECULA – Big Country was originally formed in 1981 by guitar playing founder members Stuart Adamson and Bruce Watson, both native of the band’s hometown Dunfermline in Scotland.

Initially driven by a shared vision of widescreen guitar melody, harmony and lyric, the classic Big Country sound was further enhanced later that summer by the arrival of drummer Mark Brzezicki and bass player Tony Butler. This is the Big Country that (with producer Steve Lillywhite) recorded the classic debut album "The Crossing" in 1983.

The band broke massively worldwide with the release of the album’s classic singles "Fields Of Fire," "Chance" and signature song "In A Big Country," which went on to become massive worldwide hits selling over 2 million copies and driving "The Crossing" to three prestigious Grammy nominations in the USA.

Largely sidelined by the 2001 suicide of frontman Stuart Adamson, Big Country drafted Mike Peters of The Alarm to take over as lead singer. Original members Tony Butler (bass, vocals), Mark Brzezicki (drums, vocals) and Bruce Watson (guitar, vocals) will be joined by Peters and additional guitarist Jamie Watson.

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[ Carrington Home Loans ] said, "I first met Stuart on stage at a U2 concert in Hammersmith Palais back in 1983. Bono introduced us to his audience as being ‘part of the the new breed’ and Stuart was literally passed up onto the stage by the fans and I shook his hand as I handed him a guitar – an unforgettable entrance. The last time I saw him was also on stage with Big Country at Glasgow Barrowlands for the last night of the Final Fling tour in 2000, when we sang Neil Young’s ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ together.

"When Bruce Watson called and asked me to sing for Big Country, it was something I didn’t need to think twice about. I’m looking forward to meeting all the fans again and playing a part in keeping the spirit of Stuart Adamson alive and celebrating the music of a band I have loved from near and afar for the whole of my adult life."

Hosting the show is Richard Blade, legendary DJ and Sirius/XM host on 1st Wave.

Tickets to be on sale soon.