History Of The Grand Ole Opry!
The Grand Ole Opry Stars!
Charlie Louvin was born in Henager, Alabama, in 1927. During the day he and his
older brother Ira worked as field hands on the family farm. At night they would listen to
the Delmore Brothers on their father's Victrola, and to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio.
From modest beginnings, Ira and Charlie Louvin would themselves make it to the stage of
the Opry. And there they would be heralded as one of the finest vocal teams in the history
of country music.
The Louvin Brothers played their first paying job on the 4th of July, 1940,
providing background music for a county fair's merry-go-round. They earned three dollars
apiece that day, and were amazed at their instant wealth. Early in their career, the
Louvin's developed a distinctive style of harmony singing that would become their
trademark. This blending of notes, called "shape note singing," was based on the
gospel harmonies the brothers had learned in their church choir.
After a decade of hard work as struggling country and gospel performers, the
Louvin Brothers got the chance to make their first record. But even with an MGM recording
contract and later one with Capitol, success and acceptance in the world of country music
was hard won. They continued to perform in the Alabama and Tennessee area, and for a short
time in 1952 had a daily radio program out of Memphis.
The Louvin Brothers became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1955, and were
highly sought after for personal appearances. A young Elvis Presley was an opening act for
the headlining Louvin's during one of these 1955 tours. And by this time Ira and Charlie
were having hit records. From the mid-1950s through the early 1960s the Louvin Brothers
had over twenty entries on Billboard's country chart, including "I Don't Believe
You've Met My Baby" and "Knoxville Girl." IN 1964, with rock 'n' roll
overwhelming the music world, the brothers decided to split up and go separate ways.
Sadly, Ira would be killed in a car accident in 1965. But Charlie continued to record
numerous hits -- selling even more as a solo artist than he had with his brother.
Through their success on the radio and as live performers, the Louvin's had a
great impact on American music. Marshall Crenshaw calls them "tied with the Everly
Brothers as the greatest harmony act" ever recorded. The late Gram Parsons was so
taken with their songs that he paid people to search Los Angeles record shops for used
copies of their out-of-print albums. He would use what he learned by listening to these
records when recording with the Byrds and Emmylou Harris. And through Parsons, the Louvin
Brothers would become known to a diverse set of younger listeners.
The name Louvin Brothers is linked to some of the most memorable vocals on
record, and their place in the history of American music is assured. Luckily, fans no
longer have to search used record stores for the Louvins' distinctive sound, since much of
their catalogue is again in print. And equally fortunate, Charlie Louvin continues to
create fresh recordings which remain true to the country music tradition.
Charlie who has been a longtime member of the Grand Ole Opry was inducted into
the Country Music Hall of Fame in October 2001. |
