DESCRIPTION:
The Louvin Brothers were an American country music duo composed of brothers Ira Lonnie Loudermilk (1924--1965) and Charlie Elzer Loudermilk (b. 1927), better known as Ira and Charlie Louvin. They helped popularize close harmony, a genre of country music

The brothers adopted the name Louvin Brothers in the 1940s as they began their career in gospel music. Their first foray into secular music was the minor hit "The Get Acquainted Waltz", recorded with Chet Atkins. Other hits included "Cash on the Barrelhead" and "When I Stop Dreaming". They joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1955 and stayed there until breaking up in 1963.[1]

Their songs were heavily influenced by their Baptist faith and warned against sin. Ira Louvin was notorious for his drinking and short temper. Married four times, his third wife shot him three times in the back after he tried to strangle her. When performing and drinking, Ira would sometimes become angry enough on stage to smash his mandolin; otherwise his style was heavily influenced by Bill Monroe. He died on June 20, 1965 when a drunken driver struck his car in Williamsburg, Missouri.[2] At the time, a warrant for Ira's arrest had been issued on a DUI charge. Charlie pursued a solo career and lives in Manchester, Tennessee. They are cousins to John D. Loudermilk, a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member.

Country-rock pioneers The Byrds recorded the Louvin-penned "The Christian Life" for their seminal 1968 release Sweetheart of the Rodeo.[1]

In 2001, the Louvin brothers were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.[3] The tribute CD Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers, produced by Carl Jackson and Kathy Louvin released in 2003, won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Country Album