Louvin, Charlie, 1927-2011

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Charles Elzer Loudermilk (July 7, 1927 – January 26, 2011), known professionally as Charlie Louvin, was an American country music singer and songwriter. He is best known as one of the Louvin Brothers, and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1955

Born in Section, Alabama, Louvin was one of seven children and grew up working on the family farm in nearby Henagar. He started singing when he was eight years old.

Louvin began singing professionally with his brother Ira as a teenager on local radio programs in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The boys sang traditional and gospel music in the harmony style they had learned while performing in their church's choir.

After Charlie left the act briefly in 1945 to serve in the Army Air Forces during World War II, the brothers moved first to Knoxville and later to Memphis, working as postal clerks by day, while making appearances in the evening. Another brief disbandment due to Charlie's service in the Korean War led to the brothers' relocation to Birmingham, Alabama.

Primarily known as gospel artists, the Louvins were convinced by a sponsor, "you can't sell tobacco with gospel music," and began adding secular music to their repertoire. They began making appearances on the famed Grand Ole Opry during the 1950s, becoming official members in 1955. The Louvin Brothers released numerous singles, such as "When I Stop Dreaming", with over 20 recordings reaching the country music charts. Their rich harmonies served as an influence for later artists, such as Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, and The Byrds.

By the 1960s, Charlie and Ira's popularity had waned and the brothers split up in 1963. In 1965, Ira was killed in a car accident. Charlie continued to perform solo, making numerous appearances on the Grand Ole Opry and in later years acting as an elder statesman for country music.

In 2001, the Louvin Brothers were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

In the 2000s, Charlie had begun rebuilding his career. Although he readily admitted he was never much of a writer, Louvin released a disc of classics containing one new song, a tribute to Ira, and a gospel album on Tompkins Square Records produced by Mark Nevers.The songs mainly pair Louvin with other singers, such as George Jones, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Alex McManus of Bright Eyes, Elvis Costello and Derwin Hinson. He also wrote two songs with Rockabilly Hall of Famer Colonel Robert Morris, one of which is on Morris' trucking CD, Highway Hero.

Louvin died from surgery complications in the early morning of January 26, 2011, in his Wartrace, Tennessee, home, aged 83.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Louvin, Charlie, 1927-2011,. Oral history interview with Charlie Louvin; 1987 May 27; interview conducted by John W. Rumble. Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center
creatorOf Louvin, Charlie, 1927-2011,. Oral history interview with Charlie Louvin; 1986 December 5; interview conducted by John W. Rumble. Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center
referencedIn Eugene Earle Collection, 1939-1980s University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Folklife Collection.
creatorOf Louvin, Charlie, 1927-2011,. Oral history interview with Charlie Louvin; 1977 November 30; interview conducted by Douglas B. Green. Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center
referencedIn Center for Popular Music Vertical Files Center for Popular Music, Middle Tennessee State University
creatorOf Louvin, Charlie, 1927-2011,. Oral history interview with Charlie Louvin; 1972 November 11; interview conducted by Douglas B. Green. Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center
referencedIn Southern Folklife Collection sheet music and song lyrics, 1852-1988 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Folklife Collection.
contributorOf Charles K. Wolfe Collection Center for Popular Music, Middle Tennessee State University
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
memberOf Country Music Hall of Fame corporateBody
associatedWith Earle, Eugene. person
memberOf Grand Ole Opry (Radio show : Nashville, Tn.) corporateBody
associatedWith Green, Douglas B.; person
hasFamilyRelationTo Loudermilk, John D. person
associatedWith Louvin Brothers. corporateBody
sibling of Louvin, Ira, 1924-1965 person
associatedWith Rumble, John W.; person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Birmingham AL US
Nashville TN US
Subject
Country music
Country musicians
Country musicians
Occupation
Singers
Songwriter
Activity

Person

Birth 1927-07-07

Death 2011-01-26

Americans

English

Information

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