[Updated w/ Arrangements] Charlie Louvin Passes
Arrangements: Louvin’s funeral service will be at 1:30PM Sunday, Jan. 30 at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens. Visitation will be 11AM –4PM Saturday, Jan. 29, as well as one hour prior to the funeral on Sunday. Harpeth Hills Funeral Home is located at 9090 Hwy 100, Nashville, TN, 615-646-9292.
Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie Louvin has passed away following a fight with pancreatic cancer. The 83-year-old died at his home in Wartrace, Tennessee.
Louvin underwent surgery after being diagnosed in the summer of 2010, but the operation was limited in its success. Still, it stabilized the performer’s health long enough for him continue working through the end of the year.
In recent years Louvin’s career had experienced a revival. His 2007 self-titled release—his first in 10 years—earned a Grammy nomination, raising his career total to four nods. His most recent solo album, The Battles Rage On, came out Nov. 9, and he taped his first music video last fall. Del McCoury guested in the “Weapon Of Prayer” video and track from the True North Records release.
The Louvin Brothers
Born Charlie Elzer Loudermilk in Section, Alabama on July 7, 1927, Charlie and his brother Ira eventually took the stage name Louvin. Musical talent ran in the family—they were first cousins of songwriter John D. Loudermilk. With Ira playing the mandolin and Charlie picking up the guitar, their career as The Louvin Brothers began in the 1940s. Their traditional sounds led them all the way to the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame.
Their breakthrough album came out on Capitol in 1952, leading to their biggest success in the mid ‘50s with “When I Stop Dreaming,” “I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby,” and “Hoping That You’re Hoping.”
The brother duo broke up in 1963, and Ira died in a 1965 car crash.
Charlie Louvin has completed upwards of 20 records, earned six Top 10 singles, and 15 Top 20 singles over the span of six decades.
His recordings have influenced generations of performers, including Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, Jack White, Johnny Cash and Alison Krauss.
Louvin is survived by his wife Betty, and three sons, Charlie Jr. (Sonny), Glenn and Kenneth. A private funeral for Louvin will be held in Nashville, on Sunday, January 30.
On Oct. 30, 2010, Louvin with Alison Krauss and Union Station at a benefit for his medical costs in Bell Buckle, Tenn. (L-R): Camella Ramsey, Ron Block, Alison Krauss, Charlie Louvin, Jerry Douglas, Viktor Krauss. Photo by: Dan Harr, Music News Nashville
This is truly sad. Especially the fact that a benefit had to be held to pay for Charlie’s medical bills. God bless Alison and Jerry. A legendary icon and Father of hard country, this is yet another example of the inevitable outcome of a musicians and songwriters life, irregardless of how gifted and decent, and Charlie was both. The folks who’ve made a fortune off of The Louvin Brother’s material should throw a tribute at the Ryman. Meanwhile, go out and buy all The Louvin Brothers albums and definitely pick up “Livin’, Lovin’ Losin'” that Carl Jackson and Kathy Louvin got together, a true work of love. Perfection beyond description for all involved.
Thank you Charlie and Ira for everything. You guys changed my life,
Bill