Louvin, Ira, 1924-1965
Variant namesIra Lonnie Loudermilk (April 21, 1924 – June 20, 1965), known professionally as Ira Louvin, was an American country music singer, mandolinist and songwriter.
Ira Louvin was born in Section, Alabama, and played together with his brother, Charlie, in the close harmony tradition as the Louvin Brothers. They were heavily influenced by the Delmore Brothers and Monroe Brothers. Ira played mandolin with Charlie Monroe, guitar player of the Monroe Brothers in the early 1940s. The Louvin Brothers' songs were heavily influenced by their Baptist faith and warned against sin.
Ira was notorious for his drinking and short temper. He married four times, his third wife having shot him multiple times in the chest and hand after he allegedly beat her. He died on June 20, 1965, when a drunken driver struck his car in Williamsburg, Missouri. At the time, a warrant for Louvin's arrest had been issued on a DUI charge.
Role | Title | Holding Repository | |
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referencedIn | Southern Folklife Collection sheet music and song lyrics, 1852-1988 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Folklife Collection. | |
referencedIn | Center for Popular Music Vertical Files | Center for Popular Music, Middle Tennessee State University |
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memberOf | Country Music Hall of Fame | corporateBody |
hasFamilyRelationTo | Loudermilk, John D. | person |
memberOf | Louvin Brothers | corporateBody |
sibling of | Louvin, Charlie, 1927-2011 | person |
associatedWith | Monroe, Charlie | person |
Place Name | Admin Code | Country | |
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Nashville | TN | US |
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Singers |
Songwriter |
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Person
Birth 1924-04-21
Death 1965-06-20
Americans
English