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Farmers know the importance to a fruit tree of the root stock. Exotic hybrid varieties with shiny bright apples can be grafted on, but the tree's hardiness and longevity have to do with the roots. There has been so much grafting onto the musical roots of this country that we've run out of what to call radio formats, but there are still a few solid tree with their original roots. Like Charlie Louvin, who not only maintains contact with his native Sand Mountain, Alabama heritage, but has steadfastly maintained the doctrine of unfrilled music that lets it honest lyrics, beautiful melodies and soaring harmonies stand on their own. "Unfrilled" does not mean "simplistic" or "sloppy" -- rehearsal in a critical element of his doctrine and the care and attention he gives his song and musician selection is quite demanding. Therefore his reputation for strong, emotional performances is no accident -- it's part of the root stock. The Louvin legacy is certainly not short on statistics and awards. "When I Stop Dreaming" expanded their considerable gospel duo status as the first of many chart topping country recordings with brother Ira in a swirl of hits that have earned the Louvin Brothers inductions into the Songwriter Hall of Fame, in addition to four nominations to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Equally important is the impact of the Louvin Brothers on later acts, from Emmylou Harris to the Whistine brothers, for a brief condensation of the list. Charlie's solo career since 1964 has generated it's own body of hit material and string of memorable performances, from "I Don't Love You Anymore" and "Will You Visit Me On Sundays" to a Grammy shared with Melba Montgomery. But commercial success and industry recognition are hybrid grafts on the tree. The roots have to do with honoring the soil, the family, feelings and emotions, and the Creator. The accumulative effect is that on the Grand Ole Opry, any of the few remaining appropriate television shows, or in concert, Charlie has a massive repertoire to draw from -- Louvin brothers hits, Charlie Louvin hits, folk ballads, old time and bluegrass standards, the Baptist hymnal -- it really doesn't matter as long as the song is honest and he can relate to it. Many of the older acts stick close to their landmark hits because they think their fans expect them -- Louvin fans expect good music, period, and that's what he gives. "I played and sang before I got paid to do it," Charlie has been known to say, "and I would continue to play and sing if I didn't get paid." His longtime colleagues and admirers don't find this assertion strange at all, for most of them feel the same way -- they come from the same rootstock. That sense of dedication has particular significance when one counts the number of "Hot Country" group acts the have literally been assembled and dissolved over the past few years -- assembled in the scramble for record sales and dissolved because all the factors except The People had been considered. Ah, The People. The Fans They're the reason he keeps getting paid to play and sing and Charlie knows it. The apple may not always fit corporate marketing strategies, but the flavor is consistent and...well, quite tasty. And it's flavor will hold up with hybrids yet to come.
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