Big Al Weekley

  Big Al,Performs with Original Jordanaires, Big Al n Bonnie, Night at the Opry,  Big Al  recieving Veterans of Foreign Affairs Highway 83 Award, Singing an evening with Cindy Boehler and the Jordanaires

                                                             Big Al Weekley

Born:  Alfred Ray Weekley
December 2, 1961
Ravenswood, West Virginia

Big Al was the first to introduce "real" bluegrass and organize major bluegrass festivals in Lincoln, North Platte and Grand Island.  He has organized numerous evening shows through out Nebraska and Kansas with national acts traveling through the states.

Over the years, he has been a “Great Source and Promoter” of all Bluegrass, Country, Cowboy and Texas Swing Music, he has interviewed stars Leroy Van Dyke, Dave Dudley, Jett Williams (the daughter of Hank Williams Sr. and many, many others.

Big Al has been featured in various newspapers and national publications.  He has toured with nationally known performers on the road and is currently working on a new album in Kentucky.  The album is his first Solo project, was released in the spring of 2007 Sold out in 2008.

Big Al is proud to be a part of KRVN Radio family.  He especially enjoys the listeners, many of whom call in every week to request songs, share stories, and be a part of Big Al's own radio family.

 KRVN Radio 880 AM - Lexington, Nebraska.  The only Farmer/Rancher owned radio station in the world began broadcasting on February 1, 1951.  Goal:  To keep farmers, ranchers, and all other listeners up to the date on weather and agricultural news.  The programming also includes local, state and national news, as well as bluegrass and gospel and country music.

 32 Years- Big Al has been a professional truck driver.  He introduced bluegrass music to the Nebraska Trucking Association.

2009-
Big Al Hits #1on the RadioActive Ariplay Bluegrass Charts 4 weeks January - February with his "18 Wheels Roll On" Now  he is a published songwriter with Thanks to" Yet To Come Publishing" in Branson Mo. 

Radio Boogie:

   Big Al Weekly was a recent guest on Tom May’s River City Folk program. Al chatted about his life, his musical influences, and his many years as a radio show host and a professional truck driver—and how it has all fit together. River City Folk may be heard on 150 radio stations, online and XM channel 15 “The Village.” Info: www.rivercityfolk.com

2008- 
The Year has brought many Great Music and Trucking  adventures surprisingly combining them into one entity.  I had the Great Pleasure of being invited to New York, NY for a visit with"Road Dog-Outlaw- Rig Rocker"  and a live interview with Meridith Oaks and Grammy Winner Jim Lauderdale on Sirius Satellite.  Had the Honor of performing on stage with " Wrangler Award winner and Oklahoma Balladeer" Les Gilliam and Kansas Hall of Fame Member Curt Shoemaker, also invited to sing on Curt's New  album "Gathered In His Name".   He has been placed and  interviewed in several trucking magazines as the "Trucking DJ "including The Trucker, Trucking News, ITJ, Gears Guts and Glory,  Big Al was Master of Ceramonies of the Nebraska Bluegrass Festival and has entertained in many great country and bluegrass shows throughout Nebraska including The GoldWing Express from Branson, Bluegrass Patriots, Heather Barry and The Dominican Republic, and was the honored to be a guest on stage with Les Gilliam and his band at Silver Dollar City in Branson in October.  Big Al was the "opening show" for the Kosmos Kearney Childrens Museum and Lexington's Grand Generation Centers  shows with Branson Show Denny and Shiela Yeary. With thousands of miles traveled in his truck during the weeks and on the radio on weekends along with his syndicated Americana Gospel program across the country Big Al keeps his schedule full for his faithful listeners visiting and playing for them at their Nursing Homes as well.  Ending the yer with a  Exciting and Great Invitation to be one Volume 3 of the "Big Hearted Trucker" other artists to be announced. 

2007-    The year of endless hours I entertained with The Oklahoma Balladeer,  Great Country Music.  Invited to be the host of a "Big Al" tour and Sing in Branson sharing the stage with Delina Ditto, 14 Karat Country, and others.   Realesed a 2nd album "Always In It For The Long Haul".  Entertained on many stages across Nebraska .

Dec. 2006”Big Al" received and Certificate Award from the Governor of Nebraska Honoring him the title of State of Nebraska Navy Admiral   Commissioned for his promotions of the
State of Nebraska.

 In 2006 Big Al had the honor of playing and singing with Elvis Presley’s Jordanaires, The James King Band (male vocalist of the year and many, many shows around Nebraska and Kansas with Kevin Prater, Tom Timberlake, Terry King, John Wade, and Dave Dudley and many, many other top entertainers, he had a awesome entertaining year.  In April he met Ms. Bonnie and they have been together every since.  

The Year in Review:Events Promoted on My Radio Shows and Performed

April 2006-2007

1. Performed at Hillbilly Days in Pikeville, KY for Shriners  kids fund raiser.
2. Put together a “concert “of local musicians to entertain bicyclists touring the country raising       money.
3. Performed in with members of the James King Band in Holdrege Ne.
4. Entertained for the gospel show at the Norton Kansas County Fair
5. MC for Comstock Windmill Festival introducing major concert talent.
6. Joined the James King Band performing at the Nebraska Bluegrass Festival in Lincoln, Ne.  
7. Special with the James King Band Showing at Cheex in Holdrege, Ne. 
8. MC and member of the “Night at the Opry” cast a sold out show 3 times running.
9. Performed and sang on stage with “Elvis Presley’s” original Jordanaires.
10. Entertained a group of avid program listeners in Lexington, Ne with members of the James King Band.
11. on stage with the Kevin Prater and Tom Timberlake and John Wade in Kearney Ne.
12. Entertained Catholic School children in Lincoln, Ne.
13. Performed at the Minden Opry House with Kevin Prater, Tom Timberlake and John Wade.
14. Organized 25 Years of Country Music History Show in Grand Island, Ne.
15. Has 4 days of entertaining on stage Hillbilly Days in Pikeville, Kentucky with members of the    James King Band.
16. Invited to sing on stage 3 days in Branson, Missouri  with Delina Ditto, 14 Karat Country.
17. Released 2^nd album “Always In  It  For The Long Haul”
18. Released "Special Edition" Mama's Salsa with "Big Al" on the label .
19.  August 2007 Entertained  at many shows with "The Boys From Kentucky" (The James Kings Band members)  Kevin Prater, Tom Timberlake,
Adam haynes at the Minden Opery House, Praireview Vinyard in Eagle Ne.,Beckton Dickenson Company Picinc Holdrege, and Lexington.

 For the past 4 years toured with the #1 Christmas group in America,  Chip Davis and the Mannhein Steamroller. (On the transportation staff)

 2006 - On February 26th, he was presented the 2006 Nebraska Veteran of Foreign Wars Memorial Highway 83 Award.  He received the award because he dedicates at least one song each week on his radio show to veterans.  He also donates his time and talent in their honor.  Past winners of this award include Senator Chuck Hagel in 2002.

2005 - In August, he received the Hometown Hero Award from KNOP - TV in North Platte, Nebraska for bringing gospel music to their County Fair.
 
2004-  Help organize fund raisers using his radio show and bluegrass music.

2003 - Big Al began his Sunday morning gospel program.  It currently airs from 8 am until 10 am and from 11:30 to noon on KRVN.

   In that same year, he was nominated as the 2003 Disc Jockey of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association.

He finished in the top 3 , following Eddy Stubbs of the Grand Ole Opry Radio WSM, and Terry Herd from the satellite radio show Into the Blue.
      The year 2003 also saw the release of Big Al's Album  For The Long Haul.  Songs from the Open Road Volume 1, which he recorded with Dave Dudley, Leroy Van Dyke and many other stars of bluegrass and country music.

 2000-   Membership Certificate of Leadership Bluegrass Class

1999 - After meeting with management, he joined KRVN Radio 880 AM in Lexington, Nebraska.  The Big Al Bluegrass Program airs every Saturday night from 9 pm until midnight.  Now, his Saturday night program also includes classic country tunes from 6 pm to 9 pm.

1996 - Big Al moved to Nebraska, owned his own business in the trucking industry

 1990  He had his own syndicated bluegrass radio show which was carried by 14 stations.  He also toured and performed bluegrass music.

1987 - Big Al began his career in public radio at Ohio University, where he worked for four years.
 

Big Al is the Proud Father of 3, beautiful daughter Brandin and great son-in-law William reside in Tennessee with their 2 little ones of her own Bryce and Joshua, Making "Big" Al a "Big" Grandpa ,  2 sons Luke and Christopher lives in Texas and Big Al hopes to get a chance to spend more time with him and the miles between them will someday get fewer.

                                                       

Updated:  2007 June 30,