From Cajun to Zydeco, Blues to Rock and everything in between, Big Al & the Heavyweights offer a musical gumbo sure to please all. Formed in 1996 as the Unknown Blues Band, with founding members Big Al Lauro, Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers Band and Gov’t Mule), and Rick Gergen (Sweethearts of the Rodeo), the band has been featured at festivals and venues throughout the US. Big Al and The Heavyweights’ live performances are family oriented, energetic and most of all, fun! They have been staples at the WC Handy Festival in Muscle Shoals, Alabama as well as the Mardi Gras Celebration at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
The Heavyweights’ CDs have received critical acclaim from all the major blues societies and publications.
Dan Aykroyd has featured several of the band’s songs on his House of Blues Radio Show. Their first CD from 1998 on Rollin and Tumblin Records, “That Ain’t Nice” was nominated for Blues Album of the Year by the Nashville Entertainment Association. The very next recording “Hey, Hey Mardi Gras” was also nominated for a Nammy Award for Blues Album of the Year by the N. E. A. Their 3rd CD, Late Night Gumbo Party charted at # 4 on the Living Blues play list charts. Famed chef Emeril Lagasse reached out to the band and asked them to perform on his Mardi Gras episode of “Emeril Live!”. The band was featured on the Cajun and Creole episodes of “Emeril Live!”. Emeril’s Mardi Gras Show was the 7th most watched show on cable TV for the week. The “Nothin’ But Good Lovin’” CD was produced by Alligator Records owner , Bruce Iglauer who admired the band for their hard work and song writing. So much so that Bruce had two of his artists record Big Al & the Heavyweights original compositions. Iron Man the late great Michael Burks recorded, “Make It Rain” on his debut CD and CJ Chenier recorded , “Eat More Crawfish” on his “Steppin Out” CD also on Alligator Records . Currently the band is touring in support of their new EllerSoul Records CD “World Full of Trouble”. It was recorded at famed Suite Mix Studios in Slidell, Louisiana with George Curreau engineering and producing. This is the same studio that Brian Stoltz the guitarist for the Funky Meters has recorded and produced numerous projects. The CD charted at # 10 on the Living Blues Charts and #6 on the Roots Music and Rhythm charts., It has received frequent play on XM’s Bluesville. Also on XM Radio “Real Mother Trucker” from the same CD is being played on XM’s Outlaw Country.
Tickets can be purchased through the link below:
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