Watson was born in Timmins, Ontario, Canada. He moved with his family to Scotland as a toddler.

Prior to joining Big Country, Watson had been a member of several Fife-based New Wave bands including the Delinquents and Eurosect.

Watson has played guitar on every Big Country album.

In the summer of 2007, Watson played in the Skids who had reformed to play two gigs in Dunfermline prior to a set on the main stage at T in the Park.

Also in 2007, to celebrate 25 years of Big Country, he reunited with founding members Tony Butler (now lead vocalist) and Mark Brzezicki to embark on a tour of the UK with dates in Scotland and England. Fellow band co-founder Stuart Adamson died in December 2001.

Starting in 2008, Watson began performing with his son Jamie Watson, as well as releasing an album, The Portastudio Diaries (2009), which chronicled a series of recordings in Bruce Watson's home recording studio.

Role in Big Country

Watson's role in the band was primarily as a supporting guitarist. He typically contributed rhythmic textures ("Wonderland," "Lost Patrol") and repetitive melodic fills ("In a Big Country," "Look Away") which underpinned verses, contrasting with Adamson's more straightforward chord work in these sections. During solos, as Adamson played the main melody, Watson often contributed a counter-melody. Watson also played slide guitar on some of the band's early material, including "Rain Dance" and "Red Fox." Later on, Adamson played much of the slide guitar work on the band's songs. Watson is also an accomplished mandolin player, and put this skill to use on several of Big Country's more country and western-influenced songs, including "Broken Heart (Thirteen Valleys)."

During recent tours, Watson has played many of Adamson's lead guitar parts live, while his son, Jamie, fulfils his old role.

Watson co-wrote many Big Country songs with Adamson. He also sang live backing vocals.

References