Charlie and Ira Louvin, two of the more influential performers and pioneers of country music, will be honored Saturday with a Tennessee Music Pathways marker that will be placed in Patten Square in downtown Chattanooga.
The marker was launched by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development in 2018 as an online planning guide that connects visitors to the state's rich musical heritage at tnmusicpathways.com. It stretches across all 95 counties and features hundreds of landmarks from the seven genres of music that call Tennessee home.
The markers denote key moments, locations and people. The Impressions were honored with such a marker in front of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in 2019. Other area markers honor Bessie Smith herself and the Chattanooga Choo Choo, which is recognized around the world in large part because of the Glenn Miller hit of the same name.
Dave Jones, director of the East Tennessee Division of the state's Department of Tourism, said the pathways markers have been a big hit across the state in big cities and rural areas because they remind people of just how important Tennessee has been in the music industry.
"We don't have to make this stuff up," he said in a telephone interview. "Some of these people and places have been forgotten, so we wanted to draw attention to them."
The Louvin Brothers are a good example of what he means.
"They were the predecessor to acts like the Everly Brothers with the close harmonies and interweaving their voices," Jones said.
Also scheduled to be on hand Saturday for the ceremony will be officials from Chattanooga Tourism Co., WDEF Radio, as well as local and state officials.
The Louvin Brothers, as they were known professionally, featured Ira Lonnie Loudermilk (April 21, 1924 – June 20, 1965) and his younger brother, Charles Elzer Loudermilk (July 7, 1927 – January 26, 2011). They began their career in Chattanooga at ages 18 and 15.
They were known for the old-time "brother" duet and shape-note hymn singing style that brought sophisticated vocal interplay. They elevated the music to a new level during their 20-year career that included joining the Grand Ole Opry in 1955.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com