One of the top country musicians of the 40s and 50s, Ira Louvin teamed up with his brother Charlie Louvin to form the Louvin Brothers. The duos hits included When I Stop Dreaming, Cash on the Barrel Head, and If I Could Only Win Your Love, also recorded by Emmylou Harris. The Louvin Brothers were famous for their ability to sing many styles of music. During their musical career, the two recorded gospel, folk, hillbilly, and 50s pop songs. 　　Born in the Appalachian Mountains of Alabama, Ira was born Ira Lonnie Loudermilk. Together with his brother Charlie, Ira began his musical career singing gospel songs in church. Despite the familys poverty, the two were encouraged to pursue their musical interests. Ira began playing the mandolin and his brother played the guitar. The two began playing together and eventually brought their sound to the airwaves on a small Chattanooga morning radio show. They were influenced by such recording artists as the Blue Sky Boys, the Delmore Brothers, the Monroe Brothers, and the Callahan Brothers. 　　When Charlie entered the Army in the early 40s, Ira played with Charlie Monroe. After the Army stint, the brothers moved their career to Knoxville, TN, where they played the radio circuit; first on WROL, then on WNOX. It was in Knoxville that the two changed their last name of Loudermilk to their stage name of Louvin.