Charlie Louvin – Harmonizing in Heaven

1927 - 2011

Country Music Hall of Famer, Charlie Louvin, passed away yesterday at the age of 83 of pancreatic cancer.

While you may not recognize his name or that of his brother, Ira, as the Louvin Brothers, they brought close harmony into the mainstream in 1950s, subsequently influencing groups like The Everly Brothers, The Beach Boys and Gram Parsons/The Byrds. These groups, of course, have been sited influences to modern harmonic groups like Boyz 2 Men, The Backstreet Boys, Brandi Carlile and The Secret Sisters (one of my new favorites — but that’s another post). As a pioneer of harmony, Charlie Louvin stands as one of those who quietly make a lasting impact on music. While he and his brother may have been largely forgotten by the larger music industry, their impact is deep and lasting.

My professed love of harmony is well documented here, and I still love it so. So, thank you Charlie Louvin. Thank you for your talent and your influence on generations of musicians and singers. The thread of harmony through generations…

If I Could Only Win Your Love, The Louvin Brothers

All I Have to Do is Dream/Cathy’s Clown, The Everly Brothers

Don’t Worry Baby, The Beach Boys

Turn, Turn, Turn, The Byrds (Gram Parsons)

I Want it That Way, The BackStreet Boys

Have You Ever, Brandi Carlile

Tennessee Me, The Secret Sisters

 

The Story

Of course, there’s always a story.  But here is my beginning, middle and end, in reverse.

…is reminiscient of one of my favorite songs….

  The Story, Brandi Carlile

3.5 inches of snow expected tonight….

 

What’s “The Story”?

While watching the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Olympics last Friday night, a familiar song wafted from my big screen TV.  What was that?!?  Could it be?!?  Yes, it was.

  The Story, Brandi Carlile

As previously mentioned on this blog, Brandi Carlile and The Story  were one of my accidental finds when I attended several Saenger Theatre shows earlier this year.

Although I think that the use of popular songs on TV and commercials has been a bit overdone and almost a genre all it’s own now, I do not have a problem with artists allowing their songs being used in commercials as long as the product isn’t contradictory to their known beliefs…or for Viagra.

Knowing of Brandi’s environmetal activism I was a bit confused about The Story being used in a GM commercial.  So, I did what I always do…I consulted the internets and on Brandi’s MySpace blog today, I found this explanation:

Why “The Story” Is In A GM Commercial

Hey all,

I’m writing you from a plane bound for Portugal. While we are gone you may have already heard our song “The Story” in an Olympic advertisement for GM. Depending on how you feel about music and advertising in general, you may be wondering why a band like us would do something like this. Well I have a few good reasons, so allow me to shine a little light on the subject.

When GM first approached our band to use “The Story” in their 2008 Olympic ad visions of SUVs and full-size pick-up trucks driving through a rugged mountain range were dancing through my head. I promptly and politely declined. (Although I don’t want to be a hypocrite, our band did tour in a GM gas-guzzling van for many years) But, when they came back to us and offered to involve us in an ad campaign promoting hybrids, bio fuel, bio hybrids, hydrogen fuel cell cars and yes, even the infamous electric car the Chevy Volt, I felt the need to think twice about having the opportunity to be a part of a huge American car company creating an ad campaign for environmentally responsible cars. We feel they allowed more than a fair amount of input from us and made an honest effort to create an environmentally conscious ad. We are proud of it.

I also believe in American jobs. Keeping people employed in the US and building fuel-efficient/alternative cars could help reduce and one day help eliminate our dependency on foreign oil. To really make a positive impact regarding the climate crisis we all need to work together to make the change, even GM.

Regardless of what my feelings are about the agenda behind the sudden wave of corporate environmental awareness, its still awareness just the same.

Thanks for hearing us out. The twins and I are proud to say that every last penny from the GM ad is being donated and split between several environmental organizations exploring alternative energy and effecting change on a grass roots level…sweet!

Names and links to these organizations are soon to follow just as soon as the paperwork is done! J

And yes dad, we are still loud mouth tree huggers…sorry.

xobc

Good ’nuff for me.  And, I think that many people could be introduced to Brandi’s wonderful music through this very well done commercial for GM’s hybrids.  I have to say that I prefer this use of the song than the contrived Grey’s Anatomy.

 

 

In My Own Eyes…More Brandi Carlile

Another Brandi song that shows her writing and singing prowess is In My Own Eyes.

Again, the lyrics are very powerful and so insightful.  Most of her music is just so substative and interesting.

Hold me down lift me up
There’s someone on the bedside waiting there for me
I hear my name, turn around
There’s gotta be a downside, something I don’t see
Around meHide me
Dying in the light of the room
Blind side please
I don’t really want to be seen
In my own eyes

Something’s wrong
Awake all night
‘Cause I can feel the dark side
Closing in on me

Do you see me
As I see myself?
I promise there’s a downside
Something you can’t see

Hide me
Dying in the light of the room
Blind side please
I don’t really want to be seen
In my own eyes

Lost in translation
Free to fall
One situation
And lose it all

Hide me
Dying in the light of the room
Blind side please
I don’t really want to be seen

Hide me
Dying in the light of the room
Blind side please
I don’t really want to be seen
I don’t really want to be seen
In my own eyes

Again, I can do relate and identify.  Like most music that I love, her lyrics hit the mark and strike a chord.