Charlie Louvin was born in Henager, Alabama,
in 1927. During the day he and his older brother Ira worked
as field hands on the family farm. At night they would listen
to the Delmore Brothers on their father's Victrola, and to
the Grand Ole Opry on the radio. From modest beginnings, Ira
and Charlie Louvin would themselves make it to the stage of
the Opry. And there they would be heralded as one of the finest
vocal teams in the history of country music.
The Louvin Brothers played their first paying job on the 4th of July, 1940, providing
background music for a county fair's merry-go-round. They earned three dollars
apiece that day, and were amazed at their instant wealth. Early in their career,
the Louvin's developed a distinctive style of harmony singing that would become
their trademark. This blending of notes, called "shape note singing",
was based on the gospel harmonies the brothers had learned in their church choir.
After a decade of hard work as struggling country and gospel performers, the
Louvin Brothers got the chance to make their first record. But even with an MGM
recording contract and later one with Capitol, success and acceptance in the
world of country music was hard won. They continued to perform in the Alabama
and Tennessee area, and for a short time in 1952 had a daily radio program out
of Memphis.
The Louvin Brothers became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1955, and were highly
sought after for personal appearances. A young Elvis Presley was an opening act
for the headlining Louvin's during one of these 1955 tours. And by this time
Ira and Charlie were making hit records. From the mid-1950's through the early
1960's, the Louvin Brothers had over twenty entries on Billboard's country chart,
including "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby" and "Knoxville
Girl." In 1964, with rock 'n' roll overwhelming the music world, the brothers
decided to split up and go their separate ways. Sadly, Ira would be killed in
a car accident in 1965, but Charlie continued to record numerous hits — selling
even more as a solo artist than he had with his brother.
Through their success on the radio and as live performers, the Louvin's had a
great impact on American music. Marshall Crenshaw calls them "tied with
the Everly Brothers as the greatest harmony act" ever recorded. The late
Gram Parsons was so taken with their songs that he paid people to search Los
Angeles record shops for used copies of their out-of-print albums. He would use
what he learned by listening to these records when recording with the Byrds and
Emmylou Harris. It was through Parsons, that the Louvin Brothers would become
known to a diverse set of younger listeners.
The name Louvin Brothers is linked to some of the most memorable vocals on record,
and their place in the history of American music is assured. Luckily, fans no
longer have to search used record stores for the Louvins' distinctive sound,
since much of their catalogue is again in print. And equally fortunate, Charlie
Louvin continues to create fresh recordings, which remain true to the country
music tradition. His newest release, on Watermelon Records, is called "The
Longest Train," and features a fine mix of Louvin Brothers classics and
new material.
Charlie Louvin is an important member of country music's illustrious past. He
continues to keep the flame of real country music burning every Friday and Saturday
night on Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, of which he has been a member for over 40
years. Through live performances and studio recordings Charlie keeps demonstrating
why he has been such a large influence on so many of today's performers. With "The
Longest Train," Charlie Louvin again shows his dedication to country music,
and his mastery of the art form.
