1997–2001 — The Raphaels and a New Chapter 

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In early 1997 Stuart began a relationship with Nashville hair and make-up artist Melanie Shelley, marking a significant personal shift as he requested a divorce from Sandra and began building a new life across the Atlantic. Around the same time, EMI Music Publishing offered to purchase Big Country’s entire songwriting catalogue, a deal Stuart accepted. 

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While settling into his new surroundings, an unexpected opportunity arose: Ray Davies contacted Ian Grant seeking musicians for a Glastonbury appearance, and Big Country were brought in to perform with him. This led to further contact, including demo sessions and two new songs Stuart wrote in New York in 1998. For a time it seemed possible that Davies might help revive the band’s fortunes through his label or touring plans, but ultimately no long-term collaboration materialised. 

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Before relocating permanently, Stuart made several extended trips to Nashville, where he became part of the city’s songwriting circles. He connected with writer Marcus Hummon, whose work he admired, and the two began collaborating. Through Hummon he met Darrell Scott, another key figure in the scene. When Stuart and Hummon decided to form a duo, they had hoped Scott might join, but he was committed to his own projects. Stuart’s first session with Hummon included Shattered Cross, co-written with Jerry Boonstra, and the partnership took shape immediately. 

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Back home, Big Country returned to work, rehearsing at the Manor House and Rockfield ahead of sessions for 'Driving to Damascus' with producer Rafe McKenna in early 1999. The band filmed the video for the lead single, Fragile Thing, in Nashville. The track received strong radio support in the UK, but a packaging-rule technicality restricted its chart eligibility, and it stalled at no.69. The album itself reached no.82 and slipped out of the charts after a week. 

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During this period Stuart had begun drinking again. A farewell run, 'The Final Fling', was scheduled for 2000, while Stuart and Sandra finalised their divorce in January and Stuart later married Melanie Shelley. Behind the scenes, Stuart and Hummon completed material for their new project, The Raphaels. 

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Big Country’s farewell shows took them across Europe and the UK, ending at Glasgow Barrowland on 31 May, with a final appearance in Kuala Lumpur. The band parted ways shortly afterward as Stuart’s alcohol dependency deepened, leading to multiple attempts at rehabilitation.