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Charlie Louvin will headline festival
By DeWayne Patterson
The Weekly Post
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Published April 15, 2005
One of Sand Mountain’s favorite sons returned home Monday morning, much to the delight of those in attendance at the Tom Bevill Enrichment Center in Rainsville.
Music legend Charlie Louvin, who grew up in Henagar and now makes his home in Manchester, Tenn., was in town to help promote the upcoming Crossroads Family Festival, scheduled to be held in the Rainsville City Park Saturday, May 21.
At Monday’s press conference, led by Dr. David Campbell, President of Northeast State Community College, and Sen. Lowell Barron, gracious words were spoken of the illustrious music career of Louvin, who will be the featured artist at the event.
“Charlie Louvin was born with a gift of music,” said Campbell. “His Sand Mountain roots run deep. He has carried our musical traditions to new levels. He is universally recognized as one of the most accomplished and influential American traditions over the past 50 years.”
As one half of the Louvin Brothers, along with his late brother Ira, Charlie Louvin has had a profound impact on country music, Campbell said.
In 1955, the Louvin Brothers became members of the Grand Ole Opry, enjoying immense popularity. The duo had 20 BillBoard Top Hits.
Campbell spoke of how, in the early going, Elvis Presley was the opening act of the Louvin Brothers. And also, about Johnny Cash once saying how he stood by the side of the road just to catch a glimpse of the duo passing through his town.
“That tells you that the Louvin Brothers were pretty big,” added Barron.
The Louvin Brothers split up in 1963, then Ira was killed in a tragic car accident two years later. Still, Charlie Louvin went on to a successful solo career, enjoying even more hit records.
The music of the Louvin Brothers gained national attention even more with last year’s Grammy wins by the tribute album Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’: Songs of the Louvin Brothers. The project won a Grammy for Best Country Album, as well as Best Country Collaboration with Vocal for the James Taylor/Alison Krause duet, “How’s the World Treating You?”
In 1979, the Louvin Brothers were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2003, they were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
“I only wish Ira could have hung around to witness all of this,” said Louvin.
Also Monday, Barron presented Louvin, who will make his first performance on Sand Mountain in a dozen years at the Festival, with a proclamation passed in the Alabama Legislature.
“This is to commend Charlie Louvin for outstanding professional achievement and impeccable style as a musician,” Barron said.
“His success as a musician is a result of not only hard work but his love and sincere dedication to music. He has made a lasting impression on countless individuals with his remarks and various talents.”
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