ROOTS of Country Music

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

Born in Henagar, Alabama, Louvin was one of 7 children. He started singing when he was eight years old. Charlie began singing professionally with his brother Ira Louvin as a teenager on local radio programs in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Louvin's sang traditional and gospel music in the harmony style they had learned while performing in their church choir.

When Charlie Louvin paired his voice with his brother Ira on their first recordings in the late 1940s, they released a sound wave that still ripples through music nearly six decades later. As half of The Louvin Brothers duo, Charlie Louvin helped perfect a special brand of harmony that enchanted listeners with its purity and honesty. The influence can still be heard at the top of the charts today in pop, country and rock 'n' roll.

After Charlie left the act briefly in 1945 to serve in 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 Ira to relocation to Birmingham, Alabama.

The Louvin Brothers 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 "Little Reasons," with over 20 recordings reaching the country music charts.

Among their top songs were When I Stop Dreaming (No. 8, 1955), I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby (No.1, 1956), Hoping That You're Hoping (No. 7, 1956),You're Running Wild (No. 7, 1956), Cash On the Barrell Head (No. 7, 1956) and My Baby's Gone (No. 9, 1958).

On Jun. 22, 1956, Charlie Louvin played guitar on a Columbia Records recording session for Ray Price. The session took place at Bradley Studios, Nashville, Tennessee USA and was produced by Don Law.

Session Personnel: Ray Price (vocal, guitar), Charlie Louvin, Pete Wade (guitar), Van Howard (guitar, harmony vocal), Jack Evans (steel guitar), Buddy Killen (bass guitar), Tommy Jackson (fiddle), Tommy Cutrer (drums)

• Crazy
• Are You Wasting My Time
• Fallin', Fallin', Fallin'
• Wasted Words

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.

Charlie continued to record music after his brother's death, with solo hits I don't Love You Anymore (No. 4, 1964) and See the Big Man Cry (No. 7, 1965).

Charlie Louvin, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry, died on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at his home in Wartrace, about 50 miles southeast of Nashville

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Researched, compiled and written by Richard Bell, Roots of Country Music, Jan. 31, 2011.

Louvin Brothers

Ira Louvin, Charlie Louvin

Charlie Louvin, Ira Louvin