A long time ago, when CDs were unheard of, record albums reigned and computers seemed like something only seen on “The Jetsons,” a young college radio DJ decided to sing a parody of The Knack’s “My Sharona.”

He called it “My Bologna,” and it became a huge hit on “Dr. Demento,” a nationally-syndicated radio show. A few years later, the singer scored a record contract, and fans of all ages flocked to hear his music.

For a lot of twentysomethings, Weird Al’s albums became a staple in childhood record and tape collections. It’s the sort of music that’s stacked-full of enough comedy to be fun for all ages, yet playful enough to be suitable for kids.

Well, it’s time to dig up and dust off that old “Even Worse” tape from the depths of the basement.

Weird Al Yankovic hits Stephens Auditorium this Friday.

Weird Al entered the ’80s as a musical icon, and now, 20 years later, he still maintains that same musical mystique. He quickly became a creative genius and a master of pop culture references, defining eccentricity in the ’80s with classics like “Polka Party” and “Even Worse.”

Al carried his comedic legacy into the ’90s with “Off the Deep End” and “Bad Hair Day,” parodying artists like Nirvana and Coolio.

Now, the weird one is heading into the 21st century with a strong past behind him and a lot to look forward to.

His newest album, “Running With Scissors,” gained attention late last summer with its single, “The Saga Begins,” a tune based on Don McLean’s classic “American Pie.”

The song came out the same time “Star Wars: Episode One” was cashing in at the box office and it launched “Running With Scissors” into the spotlight.

“I suppose I could’ve done ‘Pretty Fly for a Jedi,’ but this movie is an instant classic and I just felt it needed to be paired with a classic rock song,” Al said in a press release. “Besides, both the song and the movie begin with ‘a long long time ago.’ It just seemed custom-made.”

On the second single from “Running With Scissors,” Al spoofs Puff Daddy’s “It’s All About the Benjamins,” poking fun at gangsta rap, while declaring “It’s All About the Pentiums.”

Weird Al’s Web site, weirdal.com, serves as a forum for fans to find out news, tour dates and join the “Close Personal Friend of Al” fan club.

Every month, Al answers 20 questions from fans on the site, in a section called “Ask Al.”

He recently made an appearance on the daytime talk show “Donny & Marie,” but he didn’t play a song.

“They had asked me to perform on the show, but only if I could cut it down to under three minutes,” he said in this month’s “Ask Al.” “Being the uncompromising artiste that I am, I declined, since I didn’t want to hack any verses out of ‘Saga’ or ‘Pentiums.'”

Aside from daytime TV talk shows, Al has also had the opportunity to be a guest on the syndicated radio show “Mancow’s Morning Madhouse.”

“My record company was concerned with me being on the show because apparently [Mancow] has a history of ripping people apart on the air,” Al said. “But Mancow was great to me. I’ve known him for years, and he’s actually a big fan. In fact, he credited me as one of the reasons he decided to go into radio in the first place.”

As usual, “Running With Scissors” contains all the essential elements of any Weird Al recording — plays on words, pop culture references and of course, the accordion.

“Polka Power” stands out accordion and banjo versions of the Spice Girls’ “Wannabe,” Harvey Danger’s “Flagpole Sitta,” Nas’ “Ghetto Superstar,” Smash Mouth’s “Walkin’ On the Sun,” the Beastie Boys’ “Intergalactic,” Madonna’s “Ray of Light” and Third Eye Blind’s “Semi Charmed Life,” among others. The song comes off as a statement on current radio trends.

Also on “Scissors,” Yankovic adapts Nine Inch Nails-style industrial music (“Germs”) and ska similar to the Mighty Mighty Bosstones (“Your Horoscope for Today”) to create completely original compositions.

“There’s always the pressure and challenge of trying to top myself each time out,” Al said. “I feel like I’m making a comeback with every album I do.”

On the current tour, Al has played shows nearly every night all over the country. While traveling frequently can be a fun experience, it can also easily be forgotten, but Al has taken up souvenir collecting to save his memories.

“Lately I’ve started collecting souvenir squished pennies, and those pens that have things floating in them,” Al said.

As his souvenir collection grows in size, Weird Al will continue to tour incessantly, release feel-good comedic music and maintain a core fan base of nostalgia and newcomers. He reflects on his 20-year-plus career.

“I don’t really fit into any one category,” Al said in a press release. “I’m just thrilled that I’m able to do exactly what I want to do for a living. It never ceases to amaze me that I get to be ‘Weird Al’ full-time.”