A lifetime collection of awards, photos, albums, music, letters, and memorabilia all displayed for viewing at the Smoke House Historic Louvin Brothers Museum.
The Louvin Brothers were an American country music duo composed of brothers Ira Lonnie Loudermilk (1924–1965) and Charlie Elzer Loudermilk (1927–2011), better known as Ira and Charlie Louvin. They helped popularize close harmony, a genre of country music. Hits included "Cash on the Barrel Head" and "When I Stop Dreaming". They joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1955; the duo split up for Solo careers in 1963 .
Ira died on June 20, 1965 at the age of 41. He and his fourth wife, Anne Young, were on the way home from a performance in Kansas City when a drunken driver struck their car head-on, and both Ira and Anne were killed instantly.
Country-rock pioneers The Byrds recorded the Louvin-penned "The Christian Life" for their seminal 1968 release Sweetheart of the Rodeo.
In 2001, the Louvin brothers were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. 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.
See the upcoming movie, Satan is Real, staring Ethan Hawk.
For the most up-to-date hours and information, please contact Louvin Brothers Country Music Museum directly.
