Louvin Brothers, The

THE LOUVIN BROTHERS

  • From Henegar, Alabama (on Sand Mountain).
  • Brothers Ira and Charlie Loudermilk began singing together as teenagers in the 1940’s. They later changed their performing name to Louvin and became one of the most popular brother duets in country music during the 50’s and 60’s.
  • 1955, joined the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Changes in the country music industry coupled with Ira’s alcoholism and erratic behavior led to a breakup in 1963. Charlie continued performing as a solo artist and had several chart-topping singles including “See the Big Man Cry” and “I Don’t Love You Anymore.”
  • Ira died in an auto accident on Father’s Day, 1965.
  • Charlie formed a duo for several with Charles Whitstein (of the Whitstein Brothers), recreating the duet harmonies of the Louvin Brothers.
  • Many of their songs have become bluegrass standards: “I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby,” “I Wish You Knew” and “Ashes of Love” to name a few.
  • 1992, The Louvin Brothers were honored with an IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award for their lifetime contributions to bluegrass music.
  • 1994, Charlie recorded a bluegrass album called “Bluegrass Style” (Niptune).
  • 2010, Charlie authored a book titled Satan Is Real: The Ballad of the Louvin Brothers.
  • Charlie died January 26, 2011.

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