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Big Al and the
Heavyweight's
New Orleans Blues, be
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Band History
Big Al and
The Heavyweights began in
1992 as the
Unknown Blues Band with founding members
Warren Haynes and Al
Lauro. The two met performing in country outlaw,
David Allan Coe's Band. They quickly found a common interest and that was their love of music especially the blues.
Soon they put together the
U.B.B and began performing at small clubs and festivals.
The band began getting notoriety for their lengthy sets and their ability to fuse their many musical influences into a powerful brand of blues. The band started opening for many acts. One such act was
B. L. T., which included
Dickey Betts,
Chuck Leavall, and
Butch Trucks. Dickey Betts was truly inspired by
Warren's incredible guitar prowess and soulful vocals and offered him a gig in a band he was putting together.
Naturally, Warren took the gig and the rest is history. He went on to become a major force in
The Allman Brothers Band in which he currently plays as well as his own band,
Gov't Mule. As for Big Al, he had lost an incredible guitarist and vocalist but never a friend. The only thing left to do was to move on and that he did; putting together a new band and landing a record deal with
Scott Mullins'
Rollin and Tumblin Records to create Big Al and The Heavyweights. Big Al and band began touring the country relentlessly focusing the band's sound more on his
Louisiana roots and the music that began being called "
Gumbo Grooves". At this time,
Legendary harmonica player
Jason Ricci was also in the band for many of these tours. Their first CD, "That Ain't
Nice", received critical acclaim from all the major blues societies and publications.
Finally, the big break came when
Dan Aykroyd featured the band's song "
House Party" on his
House of Blues Radio Show as the Blues
Breaker of the
Week.
Next, the CD was nominated for Blues
Album of the Year by one of largest entertainment organizations in the
U.S., the
Nashville Entertainment Association. The band was honored to having been nominated along with fellow nominees:
Roscoe Shelton,
Earl Gaines, and
Jimmy Hall (who won) formerly of the famous southern rock band,
Wet Willie. The band's next CD was recorded on the Bluziana
Music record label and was entitled "
Hey, Hey Mardi Gras".
Once again, number one
Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd took notice and featured the song "
Cajun Roux" on his House of Blues Radio Show garnering the band even more attention. "Hey, Hey Mardi Gras" was also nominated for a
Nammy Award for Blues Album of the Year by the
N. E. A. along with
Delbert McClinton (who won),
Johnny Jones, and
Bonnie Raitt guitarist,
Rick Vito. After a web broadcast from the famous
J & J Blues Bar in
Ft. Worth, TX The band kept getting requests for a live CD. Hence, they recorded "
Live Crawfish" captures the band with all their energy and power. It was very well received and also featured on the House of Blues Radio Show "
Late Night Gumbo
Party" was recorded with noted blues producer,
Fred James, at the helm.
Fred has worked with
KoKo Taylor,
Johnny Winter,
Charlie Mussellwhite and
Son Seals. "Late Night Gumbo Party" once again caught the ear of Dan Aykroyd and he featured the song, "Hey, Hey Nanette" as the Blues Breaker of the Week. He also interviewed Big Al on the show. The CD charted at # 4 on the
Living Blues play list charts. Here's what Living Blues says in reviewing "Late Night Gumbo Party", "If you're missing the sultry, sticky
Crescent City scene and want a quick fix, this CD is for you. "
Bruce Iglauer, the president and founder of
Alligator Records produced the current Cd, "
Nothin But
Good Lovin". It is the bands most eclectic record and has truly defined the band's
New Orleans sound.
- published: 29 Sep 2012
- views: 2025