ROOTS of Country Music

The Professional Work of Ira Louvin

(Apr. 21, 1924 ~ Jun. 20, 1965)

Ira Lonnie Loudermilk known professionally as Ira Louvin, was a country music singer, mandolinist and songwriter. Ira Louvin is best known as one of the Louvin Brothers singing duo.

Pictured right (L-R) Ira Louvin, Charlie Louvin

Born in  in Section, Alabama (AL), Louvin was one of 7 children. Louvin began singing professionally with his brother Charlie Louvin as a teenager on local radio programs in Chattanooga, Tennessee (TN) USA. The Louvin's sang traditional and gospel music in the harmony style they had learned while performing in their church choir.

They were heavily influenced by the Delmore Brothers and Monroe Brothers. Ira Louvin played mandolin with Charlie Monroe, guitar player of the Monroe Brothers in the early 1940s.

When Ira Louvin paired his voice with his brother Charlie 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, Ira 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, TN and later to Memphis, TN, 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, AL.

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). By the 1960s Charlie and Ira's popularity had waned and the brothers split up in 1963.

Pictured left (L-R) Charlie Louvin, Ira Louvin

Ira Louvin 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.

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

Louvin Brothers

Ira Louvin, Charlie Louvin

Charlie Louvin, Ira Louvin