Living Country Music Legend Charlie Louvin Releases New CD in December 2008

Posted by
Lisa L. Rollins
Nov 28, 2008

Rare is the instance when I get the opportunity to call someone a "legend," because one of the many tried 'n' true writing rules I learned way back when in journalism school was that such an adjective was reserved for those who no longer walk this plane.

In other words, one must no longer breathe air for me to be able to apply this term to him or her, no matter how seemingly worthy one may be. (Yes, I know you probably see writers calling folks who are alive "legends" or "legendary" relatively frequently, but I assure you they were not trained by the hard-core, old-school journalists who beat me over the head with the journalist's Bible, the Associated Press manual of style and libel law. ... I will be buried with my AP book, I assure you.)

At any rate, it's with great joy that I'm able to make mention of low-tenor/guitarist Charlie Louvin, one-half the legendary gospel-gone-country duo known as the Louvin Brothers, who's having a mighty prolific recording surge at the ripe and ever-creative age of 81. His late brother, high tenor/mandolinist Ira Louvin, tragically died in summer 1965 in a car accident, but the duo's music goes on and on. (My story on the brothers is linked to here, above, and is listed in the Traditional Country category on this site.)

Rainsville, Ala., native Charlie, who now calls Bell Buckle, Tenn., home, has accrued an incredibly impressive recording and music career over the decades, both with his late brother, whom he still misses dearly, and as a solo artist. I recently was contacted by Charlie's record label, Tompkins Square in New York, and offered the chance to sample this living legend's latest album offering, Charlie Louvin Sings Murder Ballads & Disaster Songs, which is set for release Dec. 9.

To say the least, I am humbled at the opportunity and was touched beyond words when I previewed one of Charlie's more recent music videos for a song titled Ira. It's a poignant tribute to his gone-too-long brother and duet partner, and I encourage you to listen to its words, with attention paid to the bluegrass-styled mandolin that's a haunting but welcome reminder of Ira's mandolin mastery.

Even if you're not a Louvin Brothers fan, because you are too young, as it were, or were never exposed to their honey-laced vocals that predate the Everly Brothers, I encourage you to discover their Country Music Hall of Fame-worthy harmonies and investigate Charlie's ever-growing discography.

I would tell you more about Charlie's latest upcoming release here, but I don't want to give too much away before I'm able to bring you a review via Suite 101. I would, however, like to share information on Charlie's upcoming CD-release activities for those in the Nashville area who'd like to take in any available opportunity to see this unforgettable artist live.

Here's a snapshot of Charlie Louvin's upcoming Music City record/performance activities:

Dec. 9th release date: 6 p.m. (Central) CD-signing at Grimey's Record Store, 1604 8th Ave. South, Suite 110, Nashville. Call (615) 251-7067 for more information or directions.

Dec 13th signing: 4-5:30 p.m. (Central) at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 Fifth Ave. South, Nashville. Call (615) 416-2001 for more information or directions.

Dec 13th signing: Beginning at midnight at the "Midnite Jamboree" at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, Music Valley Drive, Nashville. For more information or to listen online, access the show/shop's Web site.

Dec 15th: WSM Radio, live on the air beginning at 7a.m. (Central). Access the 650 AM station's Web site to listen live online.

Dec 18th: Record release show (presented by WSM) beginning at 9:30 p.m. (Central) at 3rd & Lindsley Bar and Grill, 816 3rd Ave South, Nashville. For more information, call (615) 259-9891.