LOUVIN BROTHERS

Biography

The Louvin Brothers, brothers Ira Loudermilk (born April 21, 1924, in Henegar, Alabama) and Charlie Loudermilk (born July 7, 1927, in Section, Alabama), grew up in rural Appalachian poverty, immersed in shape note gospel music that shaped their signature close-harmony style blending country, bluegrass, and gospel. They began performing together in 1942 on Chattanooga radio station WDEF while Ira worked in a mill, adopting the stage name 'Louvin Brothers' around 1946 for better marketability after early monikers like Sand Mountain Playboys. Ira played mandolin and sang high tenor lead, while Charlie played guitar and provided lower harmony vocals; they recorded their first single 'Alabama' for Apollo Records in 1947 while in Memphis, followed by brief stints with Decca and MGM Records.[1][2][3][4]

Fun Facts

• Ira sang bass in Charlie Monroe's band despite being a natural tenor, as Monroe already had a strong tenor singer.
• They briefly formed a full bluegrass band in 1951 with banjo, fiddle, and bass but disbanded without recording due to poor reception.
• Capitol's Ken Nelson bluffed Grand Ole Opry manager Jack Stapp into hiring them in 1955 by claiming rival Ozark Jubilee was about to sign them.
• Their cousin John D. Loudermilk kept the family name Loudermilk while they adopted 'Louvin' for stage use.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Charlie Monroe - Ira briefly played mandolin and sang bass in his band before rejoining Charlie (Kentucky Partners band) [1945-1946]
• Fred Rose - Song publisher who signed them to publishing deal and negotiated Capitol Records contract (Facilitated Capitol signing after MGM) [1951-1952]

Key Collaborators

• Chet Atkins - Recorded together on early secular hit ("The Get Acquainted Waltz") [1950s]
• Wiley Burchfield, Page Heppler, Sandy Sandusky - Full bluegrass band members during experimental phase (Live performances (no recordings)) [1951]
• Elvis Presley - Performed as opening act on early road dates (First 120 road dates) [mid-1950s]

Artists Influenced

• John D. Loudermilk - Cousin who retained family name and became notable songwriter (Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee) [1950s onward]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. The Great Atomic Power (Weapon Of Prayer)
2. My Baby's Gone (My Baby's Gone)
3. Cash On The Barrel Head (Encore)
4. Satan Is Real (Satan Is Real)
5. You're Running Wild (My Baby's Gone)
6. If I Could Only Win Your Love (Country Love Ballads)
7. The River Of Jordan (Satan Is Real)
8. Knoxville Girl - The Original Album (Tragic Songs of Life)
9. Knoxville Girl (Knoxville Girl)
10. I Wish You Knew (My Baby's Gone)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia