Annie Stokes is a dark Americana songstress and folk lyricist from the foot hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Virginia. Raised on musical theater and her mom’s oldies, she began writing poetry and short stories at a young age. When she picked up a guitar at age 20, everything clicked and she fulfilled her destiny of becoming an emotional millennial troubadour. She began her career by playing open mics, street festivals, and wineries around her native Virginia, slowly graduating to festivals, night clubs, and regional tours across the East Coast. “I like a hook, and I like a song that dredges up specific memories and feelings, rather than generic rushes of serotonin,” she says of her songwriting style. “From the beginning, I would get inspired by snippets of conversations I would hear, or certain smells, or little moments.” Her songwriting catalogue reflects this embrasure of the niche/relatable: some songs are inspired by deep-dives into Wikipedia pages about missing people, and others are inspired by the short and shrouded lives of the Romanov princesses (who doesn’t love a late-night journey into historical mysteries?).

Big Al and the Heavyweights originally formed in 1996 as the Unknown Blues Band, with founding members Al Lauro, Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers Band and Gov’t Mule), and pianist Rick Gergen (Sweethearts of the Rodeo). Of course, Warren is no longer in the band but Big Al has formed a solid array of musicians that features Louisiana Music Hall of Fame pianist vocalist, Wayne Lohr along with guitarist vocalist extraordinaire Marcel Anton and renowened California bassist vocalist Mark Parsons.

The latest recording “Love One Another” (Vizztone Label Group) includes special musical guests Luther Dickinson of the North MS Allstars and former Heavyweight and harmonica virtuoso, Jason Ricci.

“Love One Another” was recorded at famed Suite Mix Studios in Slidell, LA with George Curreau Jr engineering and producing who is noted for Funky Meters guitarist Brian Stoltz’s numerous recording projects. The album charted at # 19 on the Living Blues Charts and #15 on The North American College & Community Radio Chart and # 8 on the Roots Music Blues Chart .

Big Al and the Heavyweights’ live performances are family oriented, energetic and most of all fun. This is a show you don’t want to miss!