Widely regarded as one of Béla's most recognizable and popular songs, Big Country seems to appear in setlists frequently no matter who Béla is playing with.

Originally released on a collaboration album with Edgar Meyer and Mike Marshall, Uncommon Ritual, in 1997. Later rerecorded and released on the Flecktones' Left of Cool album in 1998.

Béla has said Big Country was inspired by John Hartford and the melody came to him quickly one day where the only way he could capture it was to call and sing it to his voicemail. The Hartford inspiration is evident in some live versions during Bela's solo section where he plays licks from Hartford's Steam Powered Aero Plane, a tune covered frequently by New Grass Revival and at many all-star festival jams.