ABOUT
"We love Big Time Grain Company. They are a huge draw and a hit with crowds of all ages and backgrounds "
- Jan Cicello , Country Club Plaza - KC, MO
"The band was a huge hit for audience members of all ages. "
- Amy Kraft, Park Place - Leawood, KS
A note from the brothers:
Since as early as we can remember, guitars, banjo, mandolins, fiddles and more have been part of our lives. Every holiday meal was followed by a hoedown style jam session. We were so fortunate to grow up on a farm with parents that taught us about solid work ethic and taking care of what needed taken care of. More than that, our inventor dad modeled creativity and always using that creativity to find a bigger, better way.
With dad’s invention of the Bourquin Weedpuller, we went from hoeing weeds in bean fields to traveling all over the U.S. in a motor home while dad would demonstrate that machine. We had new friends to play with, new territories to explore and new lakes to fish every week. However, we only had three 8 tracks that were never ending, but were some of the first influences we had. The big one that got worn out the most was John Denver. Dad loves John Denver.
We both got serious about our instruments around mid/high school. Bret the bass and Chad the guitar. Ever since that day, we have gotten to play together thru church, acoustic shows and a rock band called LipRiddle, but nothing has ever felt like home quite like it has when we started playing together in Big Time Grain Company. Our influences, tastes and experiences have all led to this moment at exactly the right time.
There is something magical that happens when brother’s get together and create music. We are constantly writing, recording, rehearsing and doing it bigger and better just like our dad modeled. We are completely grateful for all this project has brought to our lives. We are also thankful for the many friends and fans walking along side us in our Big Time adventure.
Bret Bourquin
Bret originally began at a young age playing a couple old western songs on a small guitar his grandfather gave him. Country music found a place in his heart at an early age but he also found other styles that he could appreciate as well. He than began playing bass guitar in rock, funk and jazz bands during high school and college .
Bret continued playing bass in several groups in his 20’s, playing professionally with Artists such as Doug Kershaw and Daniel and Ray. Bret developed in skill and performance during this time. During Bret’s four year stint in Texas, his band mates asked him to sing a few songs to fill out the set list. This is where Bret found and developed his deep passion as a singer / songwriter. Since that moment, Bret has been honing his singer songwriter skills by leading worship bands , original acoustic bands and country bands.
Big Time Grain was a chance to join forces with his brother Chad and go for a dream that was bigger than themselves. Bret has a passion for melodies, strong songwriting and delivers in live performaces with power and conviction.
Chad Bourquin
At age 17 he made the commitment to master the guitar. 2 years later and 3-5 hours a day of practice, he got the opportunity to go on the road with touring rock band where he spent the next 5 years performing 4-6 nights a week all year long.
After coming off the road, marrying his wife, Tami and starting a family, he began playing again with the group LipRiddle that Bret had started. They performed many types of shows including an entire 30 date tour of middle and high schools in the midwest sponsored by Sprint and The U.S. Army. With Bret eventually moving out of Kansas City, Chad took over the lead vocal position as well and continued to perform with LipRiddle.
After years of rock, the country roots started coming out in his songwriting with songs that just didn’t fit the LipRiddle vibe. Chad was ecstatic when his brother agreed to join together in the in the beginning years of Big Time Grain Company.
