Charles & Ira Louvin "Our compositions are about things that we know and have experienced--they are authentic--which is the main reason for their success."  (Charlie) (Charlie on favorite songs) "The Family Who Prays" because it was our first release on Capitol Records; "Love Thy Neighbor" since it was the first song we sang in 1955 on the Opry. "When I Stop Dreaming" because it was our first non gospel release on Capitol Records and it hit much to Ken Nelson's (their producer) surprise. There are 300 more songs and maybe some of them are better than the ones I've listed." Former Occupations: farming postal work cotton mill workers Education: Grade School--Springhill, AL (1930s) Grade School--Ider, AL (Charlie) Birth Name:  Ira Lonnie Loudermilk (Ira) Birth Name:  Charlie Elzer Loudermilk (Charlie) Induction Year:  1979 Date of Birth:  7/7/1927 (Charlie) Date of Birth:  4/21/1924 (Ira) Place of Birth:  Section, AL Date of Death:  6/20/1965 (Ira) Place of Death:  Jefferson City, MO (Ira) Career Milestones: 40--first paid performance for the brothers on July 4 early 1940s--won a talent contest in Chattanooga; first prize was an appearance on a radio program on station WDEF 1941--professional performing debut in Flatrock, AL 1941--started writing songs late 1942--landed their own radio show on WDEF, appearing under their first stage name, The Radio Twins 1943--worked with the Foggy Mountain Boys in Chattanooga 1945--landed a job with the Happy Valley Boys on WDOD (Chattanooga, TN) 1945--began writing more seriously 1947--first known as the Louvin Brothers (on WROL in Knoxville) 1947--performed on WNOX (Knoxville) regular program, "Mid-Day Merry-Go-Round" 1947--Ira made first commercial recordings with Charlie Monroe and his Kentucky Partners; cut four sides for RCA Victor (while Charlie was in the army) 1948--signed publishing contract with Acuff-Rose 1949--first recorded for Decca 1949-1950--recorded for MGM Records 1946-1950--worked with promoter Eddie Hill in Memphis; had a profound influence on the brothers' career early 1951--signed recording deal with MGM 1952--began recording for Capitol 1955--moved to Nashville 1955--joined the Grand Ole Opry on February 28 1956--first #1 hit, "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby" 1963--brothers started working separately; last date they played together was on August 18 in Watseka, IL (on a bill with Ray Price) Awards: 1991--Alabama Music Hall of Fame induction 2001--Country Music Hall of Fame induction Catalog Highlights The Family Who Prays (Never Shall Part) Artists: Louvin Brothers Love Thy Neighbor as Thy Self Artists: Louvin Brothers I Don't Believe You Met My Baby Artists: Louvin Brothers (1956) Hoping That You're Hoping Artists: Louvin Brothers (1956) Are You Teasing Me Artists: Louvin Brothers, Carl Smith, Jean Shepard When I Stop Dreaming Artists: Louvin Brothers (1955), Emmylou Harris, Ray Charles My Baby's Gone Artists: Louvin Brothers (1958) Cash On the Barrelhead Artists: Louvin Brothers (1956)   Everytime You Leave Artists: Louvin Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Jim & Jesse Weapon of Prayer Artists: Louvin Brothers, Goodman Family, Mark Knopfler There's a Higher Power Artists: Louvin Brothers, Martha Carson, Jerry & Jeff Easter Born Again Artists: Louvin Brothers, Sullivan Family, Pat Boone Seven Year Blues Artists: Louvin Brothers, Jim & Jesse, Bill Monroe Alabama Co-writer: Eddie Hill Artists: Louvin Brothers, Jim & Jesse If I Could Only Win Your Love Artists: Louvin Brothers, Emmylou Harris I See a Bridge Artists: Louvin Brothers, Charlie Louvin Red Hen Boogie Artists: McCormick Brothers I'm Changing the Words to My Love Song Of You Artists: Louvin Brothers The Get Acquainted Waltz Artists: Louvin Brothers Do You Live What You Preach I'll Live With God (To Die No More) Co-writer: Eddie Hill Robe of White Co-writer: Eddie Hill The Great Atomic Power Co-writer: Buddy Bain God Bless Her ('Cause She's My Mother) Co-writer: Eddie Hill No One to Sing For Me Co-writer: Eddie Hill A Tiny Broken Heart Co-writer: Eddie Hill Gonna Shake Hands With Mother Over There Artists: Charlie Monroe I'm Gonna Love You One More Time Artists: Johnnie and Jack Are You Missing Me Artists: Jim & Jesse I Take the Chance Robe of White They've Got the Church Outnumbered You'll Be Rewarded Over There Insured Beyond the Grave I'll Take the Chance How's the World Treating You Insured Beyond the Grave The Gospel Way The Sons and Daughters Of God Broad Minded I Know What You're Talking About Let Us Travel, Travel On I Love God's Way of Living Preach the Gospel From Mother's Arms to Korea If We Forget God Satan and the Saint Satan Lied to Me Make Him a Soldier I Can't Say No Just Rehearsing Where Will You Build Pray For Me Childish Love In the Middle of Nowhere That's All He's Asking Of Me Last Chance to Pray Plenty of Everything But You The New Partner Waltz Steal Away and Pray There's No Excuse Thankful Call Me I Wish You Know When I Loved You She Didn't Even Know I Was Gone My Baby Came Back Are You Wasting My Time Lorene I Wish it Had Been a Dream While You're Cheating On Me You're Learning My Heart Was Trampled On the Street On My Way To The Show Red Hen Hop She Will Get Lonesome The Angels Rejoiced Last Night The Christian Life Are You Afraid To Die The Drunkard's Doom Just Suppose The Stagger Nellie Moved To Town Ruby's Song It's Christmas Time Santa's Big Parade If You Love Me, Stay Away I Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow I Love You Best Of All I Can't Keep You In Love With Me Scared of the Blues Keep Your Eyes On Jesus I Feel Better Now If Today Was the Day You'll Meet Him In the Clouds Broken Engagement The First Time In Life There Is No Easy Way I'm Glad That I'm Not Him A Message to Your Heart Thank God For My Christian Home Comments: Have won 2 Grammies, received the "Living Legend" award from the Major Independent Record Labels, and have received more than 12 BMI performance awards "Alabama" is the state song of Alabama