Back in Park

After shaking the Park Theater audience all night long and leaving the crowd thunderstruck in 2023, BIG/GUN the AC/DC tribute is returning to McMinnville Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.

Formed in 2001, Knoxville-based Big/Gun is in its 26th year of touring and has established itself as one of the top AC/DC tribute acts. In 2012, the band merged with fellow AC/DC tribute Hells/Bells creating an act committed to provide an authentic tribute to one of the most acclaimed bands in rock and roll history.

"This is our 26th year touring," Big/Gun lead singer Andy Bowman told the Main Street Journal. "We try to make our show as close to AC/DC’s as possible. You’re going to see Angus running around entertaining the audience, and you’ll hear the hits from both the Bon Scott and Brian Johnson eras. And we'll have some deep cuts for those serious AC/DC fans."

Big/Gun has received praise for its faithful recreation of both the music and the manic energy AC/DC is known for in a show crafted for fans by fans. Bowman is looking forward to returning to McMinnville three years after the band's previous performance and enjoys the intimacy with the crowd smaller theaters allow.

"The show is a nonstop entertaining spectacle that will leave you asking for more," Bowman said. "We love the small towns and the small venues as much as the larger venues. We get a chance to get to up and close to the people. We do meet-and-greets and stay until we meet with everyone. That is really important to us. We enjoy playing the music as much as our audiences love listening to the music. The small towns are like a family reunion; we get to visit with old friends and make new ones."

With over 1,500 shows under its belt, Big/Gun has a highly polished show designed to rekindle memories for longtime AC/DC fans and to provide AC/DC novices with a taste of the legendary showmanship that led the band to its 2003 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Big/Gun members embody their respective counterparts with Scott Abney providing the energy of Angus Young, Bowman tackling the vocals of both Brian Johnson and Bon Scott, Dean Johnson providing Malcolm Young's rhythm guitar, Mark Kennedy laying down the bass lines of Cliff Williams and nationally renowned drummer Michael Ramsey channeling Phil Rudd. Bowman's spot-on vocals earned him an audition as the guest vocalist for AC/DC in 2016.

Park Theater Manager Joe Harvey is excited to be able to bring Big/Gun back after its crowd-pleasing performance three years ago and is looking forward to the show.

"We are totally stoked to have Big/Gun back at the Park," Harvey said. "Over the decades there have many different varieties and flavors of classic and hard rock, but few can be agreed upon more than the catalog of AC/DC. Tribute shows like this serve multiple purposes on the Park Theater schedule. It serves as a celebration of art that is beloved in our community while giving local music fans access to a style of show that may not otherwise be accessible to them."

Tickets start at $25 plus tax and can be purchased at mcminnvilleparktheater.com, the Park Theater box office during business hours and at the door before the show while supplies last.