Big Al was an amazing man .. He taught me everything I know about hat shaping,creasing, styling and care. I cherished that time and every moment I got to spend with him learning everything about hats.... thank you for this amazing interview and video.. Rest In Peace my friend..
One of my biggest blessings in life is my friendship with Big Al. I’d spend hours in the emporium looking at pictures and sharing stories with AL. I was a young bull rider, but Big Al always treated me as if I was already a world champ. He introduced me to the Milano palm leaf hats with a solid color brim before they were even cool. He said that he thought of me when he saw that hat. My friends all said “wow Ben, that’s an ugly hat” but now everyone is wearing them. I’d take a girl friend in with me, and he’d have them in a hat and just about convinced to run for rodeo queen before we left. He was a great man and I will never forget him.
I bought a 20X Stetson hat in Mexico 15 years ago for under $300 gave it away and today I am looking to buy another. The 6X hats are close to $300 no comparison. Aside from being a very informitive video, thanks for sharing a bit of big Al story at this store w/ iconic country legends.
Most of my inquiries via YT recently have been making sunhats/slouchy crochet. Lucky me YT threw me this bone! Can you also firm up and shape hats made of fiber?
I really enjoyed Big Al. Resistol Silver Belly in 6x for special occasions and a black Resistol for winter weather and hunting. Why? Game tends to notice white as a sign of danger and I hate getting a silver belly dirty.
I bought a second hand silver belly Resistol and reshaped it in the style of old; not your run-of-the-mill common hat you see everywhere these days. Who wants to look like Garth Brooks, anyway?
I am willing to pay more if it is made in USA, it is important for me. I try to buy made in US products as much as I can. If I can't that means alternative does not exist.
1974 George Vancouver Founder of Glacier Bay - southeastern Alaska. J. W. Tyrrell, the Canadian Geological Survey Warburton Pike's Indian guide name Saltatha. Page 63.
Big Al, is a Fountain of knowledge and has a wicked sense of humor. Problem, is: his facial expression is a complete deadpan! No facial expression whatsoever!!! Also, it was funny; the Interviewer puts his hand on the "Do Not Touch HOT" machine to ask about it.....Idiot! :D
Big Al was an amazing man .. He taught me everything I know about hat shaping,creasing, styling and care. I cherished that time and every moment I got to spend with him learning everything about hats.... thank you for this amazing interview and video.. Rest In Peace my friend..
One of my biggest blessings in life is my friendship with Big Al. I’d spend hours in the emporium looking at pictures and sharing stories with AL. I was a young bull rider, but Big Al always treated me as if I was already a world champ. He introduced me to the Milano palm leaf hats with a solid color brim before they were even cool. He said that he thought of me when he saw that hat. My friends all said “wow Ben, that’s an ugly hat” but now everyone is wearing them. I’d take a girl friend in with me, and he’d have them in a hat and just about convinced to run for rodeo queen before we left. He was a great man and I will never forget him.
It’s very uncommon to see a man like this that not only was a straight shooter and spoke his mind but also knew how to be humorous at the same time.
What a great hat man, such a phenominal knowledge of headgear, RIP Big Al, loved this!
Big Al, from this cowboy to you, and many thanks for your efforts.
He was a legend
Big Al cast shade for a living. And we all loved it.
Super cool guy. It's hard to find anyone that dedicated in anything.
Thanks Big Al of Bakersfield. Your experience of 49 years plus is super and history knowing Country singers especially the Bakersfield Sound.
Thanks for dropping that note.
I bought a 20X Stetson hat in Mexico 15 years ago for under $300 gave it away and today I am looking to buy another. The 6X hats are close to $300 no comparison. Aside from being a very informitive video, thanks for sharing a bit of big Al story at this store w/ iconic country legends.
Big Al was a pretty straight shooter and a man that knows his trade interesting man
I am befuddled & bewildered that how 30+ people could give a video about a legend a thumbs down?! That all going to hell anyways 😈
It is a total shame to loose folks with these types of knowledge.
R.I.P. Big Al. He went to his reward Aug. 2017.
God bless him
Wow. Harding working American man. RIP.
He was a very interesting guy. Pro in his field.
God bless him
I love how he doesn't even acknowledge the camera man until 20 seconds in. What a badass
He's probably got that disorder that makes you avoid eye contact
@@Iris_n_Parti AIDS?
@@Iris_n_Parti Big Al didn't have autism lmao. Thats the disorder that makes you avoid eye contact
Thank you for publishing this. That was GREAT! -- An OLD Cowboy
He looked pissed off lol very honest man
“The beavers in Russia are as hungry as the people there” that’s one to remember
Wonderful video and wonderful man! Thank you.
Wow! Very cool!!!!
Big Al is awesome
What a great video. Big Al.
oh man. thx for sharing this!
This is a rare great 'ol tiimer. Full of knowledge and life.
Fantastic. Thanks.
Great and informative. Bet he has stories :-)
Cool,, where is his store located?
I respect this person because he knows the business
Rest in peace Big God bless you you will be missed
Man, I wish I had the opportunity to meet him
Most of my inquiries via YT recently have been making sunhats/slouchy crochet. Lucky me YT threw me this bone! Can you also firm up and shape hats made of fiber?
Probably depends if the material has hold. Steam will loosen up anything.
thats my hat at 5:35 john wayne cavalry, old aged with dirt stains, kool.
I like that Big Al hat no grommets it's actually like the hats George Strait wore earlier in his career.
we're can I.get that big al hat
Call emporium western store
Legendary stuff
This was a cool video.
I really enjoyed Big Al. Resistol Silver Belly in 6x for special occasions and a black Resistol for winter weather and hunting. Why? Game tends to notice white as a sign of danger and I hate getting a silver belly dirty.
What is the address of this Hat Company ??
Great, does he clean hats?
He passed away but they may.
He is in Bakersfield
Is there a certain temperature the steam needs to be? Really??
I bought a second hand silver belly Resistol and reshaped it in the style of old; not your run-of-the-mill common hat you see everywhere these days. Who wants to look like Garth Brooks, anyway?
I wanna buy a hat from this guy
Please post info
he has passed
He passed away. They have a new shaper in there now. Emporium Western Store, Bakersfield.
What type of hat did kris kristofferson wear in Heavens Gate? Thx
in what city r u located
Bakersfield California. The store is Emporium Western Store.
"do not touch" *touches*
They look like butterflies...
I can really appreciate the made in the USA and I would rather pay more
Getting harder to find now.
History
I am willing to pay more if it is made in USA, it is important for me. I try to buy made in US products as much as I can. If I can't that means alternative does not exist.
Guy picked up the hats by the brim. 😢
1974 George Vancouver
Founder of Glacier Bay - southeastern Alaska.
J. W. Tyrrell, the Canadian Geological Survey
Warburton Pike's Indian guide name Saltatha.
Page 63.
George Strait hats are good .... but the head band suck . They will get soft and come apart. Need to do a better job
Big Al, is a Fountain of knowledge and has a wicked sense of humor. Problem, is: his facial expression is a complete deadpan! No facial expression whatsoever!!! Also, it was funny; the Interviewer puts his hand on the "Do Not Touch HOT" machine to ask about it.....Idiot! :D
He said he’s paying more for the hats now. Why is he lying more for western hats now?