Big Al Downing was a very talented artist, and a very interesting story that is little known, but should be. Here's a guy that played venues all over the world for decades, in front of millions of people, and never had any real charting success.  I remember playing BAD at my first station or two, and I remember seeing him on TV on tons of shows. But what an incredible career he had.

Big Al was a sizzling rockabilly piano player and that talent alone got him regular appearances at the Grand Ole' Opry and great concert halls everywhere.  I never met Al Downing, but by all accounts he was a hugely liked man and performer to all. He was a band member early in his career for the amazing Wanda Jackson. He also was a great song writer and early on wrote songs for Fats Domino and later for others like Tom Jones.  He then became a wonderful music producer well into the late 1990's for many in Nashville.

This Has Been Recorded By Many  - Written By Big Al

He was a much respected member of the country music community.  He did chart a few songs mostly in the late 1970's.  He had two top 20 hits back to back, Mr Jones, and Touch Me, both off the Big Al Downing album which enjoyed good commercial and great critical success.  As a result of that he was nominated for Best New Artist of 1980 by the ACM. He was also nominated for the ACM Single Of The Year for Mr. Jones.  Plus Billboard Magazine's New Artist of The Year & Single of The Year Awards for that same year.  All of this 20 years after breaking into the music biz. Mr. Jones is considered by some as one of the most poignant and powerful story songs we've ever had.

This Song Was Loved - Powerful

Big Al Downing performed world wide for most of his adult life, and was a fixture on Television on shows like Hee Haw, and American Bandstand With Dick Clark.  He's in the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame as well.  He was a sensational musician and a pretty darn good songwriter. And even though his charting success was limited, his contribution to country is not. 

The Story Behind The Story  - Fans Loved This Song

His start in the music business was from the 1950's and lasted until the early 2000's.  He helped integrate country music along with Ray Charles and helped pave the way for others that followed.  His single, Mr. Jones was a much loved song we played for a good long while, I remembered getting lots of calls for that song early on in my career.  And that Big AL Downing album, is really terrific.

Big Al Downing left behind great songs, great performances and a great legacy.   Al Downing passed away in 2005 at the age of 65.

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