Louvin Brothers

Charlie Louvin and Ira Louvin, the Louvin Brothers were an American roots music brother duo. They were born Ira Lonnie Loudermilk on April 21, 1924 and Charlie Elzer Loudermilk, born on July 7, 1927 in Section, Alabama. They changed their names to Louvin when they began their musical career. They are best known for having popularised close harmony, a kind of country music. Charlie and Ira are cousins to John D. Loudermilk, a Hall of Fame songwriter.

The Louvin Brothers' career began in gospel music in the 1940s.Their first foray into secular music was the minor hit "The Get Acquainted Waltz" (recorded with Chet Atkins). Other hits included "Cash on the Barrelhead" and "When I Stop Dreaming". They joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1955, and stayed there until breaking up in 1963. Ira Louvin was killed in a car accident on June 20, 1965. His brother pursued a solo career.

Country-rock pioneers The Byrds recorded the Louvin-penned "The Christian Life" for their seminal 1968 release "Sweetheart of the Rodeo".

In 2001, the Louvin brothers were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The tribute CD "Livin, Lovin, Losin: The Songs of the Louvin Brothers" (released in 2003) produced by Carl Jackson won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Country Album.

Although the brothers are still remembered today for their musical talent, they are also often remembered for the unusual cover used for their 1959 album, "Satan Is Real". Designed by Ira Louvin, the album cover features the brothers standing in a rock quarry in front of a twelve-foot tall plywood rendition of the devil, while several old tires soaked in kerosene burn around them. [ [http://www.killingthebuddha.com/dogma/high_lonesome.htm KtB - Satan is Real ] ] While some reviewers count this as being one of the "greatest iconic album covers of all time" [ [http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2006/12/13/the-louvin-brothers-satan-is-real/ Aquarium Drunkard: MP3 Blog, Music Blog » The Louvin Brothers :: Satan Is Real ] ] , the cover can also be found today on several websites celebrating unusual or bizarre album covers.

Charlie Louvin currently lives in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, where he runs The Louvin Brothers Museum [ [http://www.talentondisplay.com/TakeNote/059.html Take Note 059 ] ]

Partial Louvin Brothers' Discography

* "Tragic Songs of Life" (Capitol 1956)
* "Nearer My God to Thee" (Capitol 1957)
* "Charlie & Ira" (Capitol 1958)
* "Satan Is Real" (Capitol 1960)
* "A Tribute to The Delmore Brothers" (Capitol 1960)
* "The Family Who Prays"
* "My Baby's Gone" (Capitol 1960)
* "The Weapon of Prayer" (Capitol 1962)
* "Christmas With The Louvin Brothers" (Capitol 1961)
* "Keep Your Eyes on Jesus" (Capitol 1963)
* "The Louvin Brothers Sing and Play Their Current Hits" (Capitol 1964)
* "Close Harmony" (Bear Family an 8 CD collection released in 1992)

Notes

External links

* [http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/site/news_detail.aspx?cid=2104 Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville] - report of Charlie Louvin's 80th birthday, 2007