Al Downing (musician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids "Big" Al Downing
Big Al performing in concert in 2004
Background information
Born	(1940-01-09)January 9, 1940 Lenapah, Oklahoma, United States
Died	July 4, 2005(2005-07-04) (aged 65) Massachusetts, United States
Genres	Rockabilly, rock and roll, blues, rhythm and blues, country, gospel
Occupation(s)	Musician
Years active	1958–2005

Al Downing (born January 9, 1940 – died July 4, 2005) was a talented American musician and entertainer. Many people knew him as Big Al Downing. He was famous for his powerful singing and piano playing. In 1979, he won the Billboard's New Artist of the Year award. He also received the Single of the Year Award.

Al Downing became a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He often performed at the famous Grand Ole Opry. He was even nominated as Best New Artist by the Academy of Country Music. You might have seen him on TV shows like Hee Haw, Nashville Now, and American Bandstand.

About Al Downing

His Early Music Journey

Al Downing was born in Lenapah, Oklahoma, in the United States. He started his music career playing piano and singing. He joined a band called Bobby Poe and The Poe Kats. This band also played for the country singer Wanda Jackson.

Al's piano playing helped make the song "Let's Have A Party" a hit in 1960. This song reached number 32 in the UK. It also made it into the Top 40 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Later, Al Downing had another hit song in the U.S. called "You’ll Never Miss the Water (Till the Well Runs Dry)". He sang this song as a duet with Little Esther Phillips. After this success, he signed with Warner Brothers records.

In 1974, Al Downing recorded "I'll Be Holding On". This song became a number one hit on the U.S. Disco chart for three weeks. It was also very popular in Europe. On other U.S. charts, it reached number 31 on the soul chart and number 85 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Becoming a Country Star

Al Downing became more and more popular. He had many hit songs on the country music charts between 1978 and 1989. He shared his own songs with his producer at Warner Brothers.

In 1978, his song "Mr. Jones" reached the Top 20. The next year, "Touch Me (I'll Be Your Fool Once More)" also made it to the Top 20. In 1979, he released "Midnight Lace" and "I Ain't No Fool". In 1980, "Story Behind The Story" reached the Top 40, and "Bring It On Home" hit the Top 20.

After a couple of years, Al Downing had more hits with a different record label called Team. In 1982, "I'll Be Loving You" reached the Top 50. Then came "Darlene". The next year, "It Takes Love" made it to the Top 40. In 1984, "The Best Of Families" became a Top 50 hit.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1987, Al Downing signed with the Vine Street label. He released "Oh How Beautiful You Are (To Me)" and "Just One Night Won't Do". Two years later, he signed with Door Knob Records. With them, he released the song "I Guess By Now" in 1989.

Famous musicians like Fats Domino, Bobby "Blue" Bland, and Tom Jones have recorded songs written by Al Downing.

Al Downing built a career that lasted five decades. He was known for his strong singing voice and his energetic rockabilly piano style. Many of his older songs have been released again around the world. In Europe, a company called Crazy Music released a special two-CD collection of his songs called Classic Collection. This collection included some of his early hits like "Mr. Jones."

In July 2002, he performed at the Oneida Casino's Rock'n'Roll Festival in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He played alongside many other rockabilly musicians.

In 2003, Al Downing released a new album called One of A Kind. It was his first new album in over ten years. The album received good reviews from radio stations and music magazines. It was even ranked third on American Roots Country. He continued to perform regularly at the Grand Ole Opry. In 2000, he was nominated for the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

Al Downing kept performing often in his final years. He appeared at Ontario's Havelock Country Jamboree with Kenny Rogers and Roy Clark. In 2005, he had to postpone a music tour in Europe. He passed away on July 4, 2005, after an illness.

Al's Music Style

Al Downing's music was a mix of many styles. These included rock and roll, blues, roots music, gospel, and country. In the 1960s and 1970s, when he lived in Washington, D.C., he performed rhythm and blues and disco. Eventually, he returned to his country music roots.

Music Producer

Besides being a recording artist and performer, Al Downing also worked as a music producer. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he helped European musicians as an artists and repertoire (A&R) agent. This means he helped find new talent and guide their music careers.

In 2003, he produced an album called Straight Beat for an Italian blues musician named Edo 'Ndoss. This album included songs that Al Downing had written but never recorded himself. Al Downing's piano playing on this album was his very last recording.

Discography

Albums

Singles

See also

• List of number-one dance singles of 1974 (U.S.)
• List of number-one dance singles of 1975 (U.S.)