LOUVIN BROTHERS, THE

LOUVIN BROTHERS, THE (Ira and Charlie Loudermilk; Ira, b. Rainesville, Ala., April 21, 1924–June 20, 1965 [mdln, voc]; Charlie, b. Jefferson City, Mo., July 7, 1927 [gtr, voc]) Influenced by the popular brother acts of the 1930s, the Louvins were big stars on THE GRAND OLE OPRY from the mid-1950s through the early 1960s with their brand of GOSPEL-influenced harmonies and songs. Raised in Henegger, Georgia, the duo began singing at an early age, particularly influenced by traditional balladry…