The "Grand Ole Man" of Scandinavian country music. It is one hot summer afternoon at Nashville´s Fan Fair of 1984. Thousands of fans crowd beneath the stage in anticipation. Country music legend George Jones does the introduction at the international show, "Ladies and gentlemen, all the way from Norway..." Fronting "Country Jamboree", named best european countryband by CMA that very same year, OTTAR "BIG HAND" JOHANSEN starts off their opening number with just his voice and guitar; ..."Will the circle be unbroken..." Today that same song is still his signature - as well as his gentle persona, country soul and friendly smile. Born and raised in northern Norway, he left as an 18-year old to pursue a professional career in the capitol of Oslo. It wasn´t long until he starred in his own television series, making successful records and going on the road with one of Norways most popular bands at the time; "Country Snakes". With the 80´s came the Texas Outlaw movement and BIG HAND felt right at home. Adapting the more rockoriented style in the fashion of artists like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, he formed "Country Jamboree" with former "rock star" Casino Steel and British/Norwegian singer Claudia Scott. They became an overnight success, toured both nationally and internationally, and recorded three albums (one of which earned them a grammy) before they split up in 1986. BIG HAND was also at that time, and still is today, very much involved in talent scouting and producing other artists. He worked as an A&R for RCA records, before he moved on to heading his own company, Big Hand Records in the mid 80´s. Today, since moving back to his native town of Bodø, his companies, New Cut Music and Big Hand Entertainment, deals in artist management, booking, publishing as well as recording. 1988 found BIG HAND once again heading for Nashville. This time to record a solo album with one of the top producers of the day, Steve Buckingham, and some of the finest musicians Music City could produce. The result could be nothing but perfect and "Game of hearts"(CBS) won him yet another grammy that year. Now after four more albums (one compilation was released in Sweden and Denmark only) and several more performances (a second shot at Fan Fair, Wembley arena, Gilley´s Texas to name e few). He just recently released the compilation album "30 years on the road/Best of Big Hand" (New Cut Records). This, his musical testamony, contains 21 of his favourite songs (including two brand new ones) and spawns one of Europes country music´s most subtle and withstanding careers. It is said to have been many norwegian sailors, coming back home from across the Atlantic, bringing their brand new telecasters and Buck Owens records with them, who are mainly responsible for boosting the popularity of country music amongst the norwegians back in the 60´s. One man I know is still carrying that torch... Please contact us on the address below, or send us an e-mail. Welcome back! New Cut Music, Solveien 148 - 1167 Oslo, Norway Reg.no. 924796693