Photo Credit: Rick Moore
Big Al
The music of Big Al and the Heavyweights begins with the beat laid down by drummer Big Al himself. Big Al Lauro was born and raised in the city of New Orleans. He grew up surrounded by the unique culture of the city that care forgot. The food, the language, and of course the music became a part of him as surely as he became a part of New Orleans. Year after year he saw Mardi through the eyes of a child, with a wonderment and jubilation that continues today in the music of Big Al and the Heavyweights. His drumming has been described by Blues Brother Dan Akroyd as the “pounding, driving force” behind the music of The Heavyweights.
Big Al started the band after extensively touring the U.S. and Europe with country music outlaw, David Allan Coe. David Allen Coe’s mega hit, You Never Even Called Me By My Name, has become an American classic and Big Al Lauro played drums for David Allen Coe at the height of it’s popularity. During those years Al shared the stage with George Jones, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and others. He appeared at the most prestigious gigs in the United States including The Grand Old Opry, Austin City Limits, and Ralph Emery’s Nashville Now, While in David Allan Coe’s Band, Al met a young gifted guitarist from North Carolina, Warren Haynes. Warren and Al soon discovered their common love for American Roots Music especially blues and Southern Rock. When not touring with DAC , they decided to form the Unknown Blues Band. The band began gaining notoriety and started opening up for bigger acts coming through Nashville. One act was B.L.T. which included Dickie Betts, Chuck Levall and Butch Trucks. Dickie was recording in Nashville and was looking for a second guitarist so he called Warren. The rest is history, Warren went on to join the Allman Bros and later founded Gov’t Mule.
In 1996 the music of Big Al’s youth called him to form Big Al and the Heavyweights. Since that time he has recorded six albums of original music with his band and toured from coast to coast in support of those recordings. His records have been featured on the syndicated House of Blues Radio Show, Chef Emeril Lagasse’s television show, Emeril Live!, and B.B. Kings Bluesville station on Sirius XM radio.
Big Al’s music continues with sincerity and commitment. He continues to share his life’s passion at every opportunity. When you experience Big Al and the Heavyweights you will very likely join the legion of fans know as Gumbo Heads!
Big Al started the band after extensively touring the U.S. and Europe with country music outlaw, David Allan Coe. David Allen Coe’s mega hit, You Never Even Called Me By My Name, has become an American classic and Big Al Lauro played drums for David Allen Coe at the height of it’s popularity. During those years Al shared the stage with George Jones, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and others. He appeared at the most prestigious gigs in the United States including The Grand Old Opry, Austin City Limits, and Ralph Emery’s Nashville Now, While in David Allan Coe’s Band, Al met a young gifted guitarist from North Carolina, Warren Haynes. Warren and Al soon discovered their common love for American Roots Music especially blues and Southern Rock. When not touring with DAC , they decided to form the Unknown Blues Band. The band began gaining notoriety and started opening up for bigger acts coming through Nashville. One act was B.L.T. which included Dickie Betts, Chuck Levall and Butch Trucks. Dickie was recording in Nashville and was looking for a second guitarist so he called Warren. The rest is history, Warren went on to join the Allman Bros and later founded Gov’t Mule.
In 1996 the music of Big Al’s youth called him to form Big Al and the Heavyweights. Since that time he has recorded six albums of original music with his band and toured from coast to coast in support of those recordings. His records have been featured on the syndicated House of Blues Radio Show, Chef Emeril Lagasse’s television show, Emeril Live!, and B.B. Kings Bluesville station on Sirius XM radio.
Big Al’s music continues with sincerity and commitment. He continues to share his life’s passion at every opportunity. When you experience Big Al and the Heavyweights you will very likely join the legion of fans know as Gumbo Heads!