Country Music Singer and Songwriter. He is best remembered as half of one of the Louvin Brothers, noted for their close-harmony singing. Born Ira Lonnie Loudermilk in Section, Alabama he and his brother, Charlie Louvin, started singing traditional and gospel music professionally on local radio stations in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They were heavily influenced by the Delmore Brothers and Monroe Brothers in the early part of their musical careers. After Charlie left the act briefly in 1945 to serve in World War II, the brothers moved first to Knoxville, Tennessee and later to Memphis, Tennessee, 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. In 1955 they joined the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. Among their top songs were "When I Stop Dreaming" (1955), "Hoping That You're Hoping" (1956), "You're Running Wild" (1956), "My Baby's Gone" (1958), and "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby" (which reached number 1 on the US Country Charts in 1965). By the 1960s their popularity began to wane and in 1963 Charlie split from Ira because of his drinking and abusive behavior and they each pursued solo careers. Two years later he was killed in an automobile accident at the age of 41 along with his 4th wife near Williamsburg, Missouri, as they were returning from a performance in Kansas City, Missouri. Their harmonies would influence later artists such as the Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Graham Parsons, and The Byrds. In 1975 Emmylou Harris had a hit with their song "If I Could Only Win Your Love." In 2001 he and his brother were introduced into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The tribute CD "Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers," released in 2003, won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Country Album. He was a cousin of Country Music songwriter John D. Loudermilk.
Country Music Singer and Songwriter. He is best remembered as half of one of the Louvin Brothers, noted for their close-harmony singing. Born Ira Lonnie Loudermilk in Section, Alabama he and his brother, Charlie Louvin, started singing traditional and gospel music professionally on local radio stations in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They were heavily influenced by the Delmore Brothers and Monroe Brothers in the early part of their musical careers. After Charlie left the act briefly in 1945 to serve in World War II, the brothers moved first to Knoxville, Tennessee and later to Memphis, Tennessee, 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. In 1955 they joined the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. Among their top songs were "When I Stop Dreaming" (1955), "Hoping That You're Hoping" (1956), "You're Running Wild" (1956), "My Baby's Gone" (1958), and "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby" (which reached number 1 on the US Country Charts in 1965). By the 1960s their popularity began to wane and in 1963 Charlie split from Ira because of his drinking and abusive behavior and they each pursued solo careers. Two years later he was killed in an automobile accident at the age of 41 along with his 4th wife near Williamsburg, Missouri, as they were returning from a performance in Kansas City, Missouri. Their harmonies would influence later artists such as the Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Graham Parsons, and The Byrds. In 1975 Emmylou Harris had a hit with their song "If I Could Only Win Your Love." In 2001 he and his brother were introduced into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The tribute CD "Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers," released in 2003, won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Country Album. He was a cousin of Country Music songwriter John D. Loudermilk.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Family Members
Advertisement
