Charlie Louvin was one half of the Louvin Brothers, a traditional country duo who joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1955. In 1963 the brothers split, and Charlie began a solo career. Still widely respected in Nashville in particular and the USA in general, by 1974 Charlie however found himself between labels.
In December 1974 Jim Allison was planning to start up his own label, Thunderbird Records, and called country booking agent Marilynne Caswell of the M.C. Talent Agency in London, ON, about ideas of whom from Nashville he could record. Marilynne thought that Charlie Louvin was the perfect fit, as he’d never recorded in Canada before and he
was looking for something different. Charlie agreed, but wanted to record mostly Canadian material for the record. In January 1975 Marilynne suggested that singer/songwriter John K. Gulley submit songs for the new album. The album also featured songs by Wayne T. Heimbecker, including his new one, "Our Loving Place." Charlie Louvin became the 4th act signed to Thunderbird Recordings.
The album was recorded at Thunder Sound Studios in late January of 1976 and featured Mike Francis of Whiskey River on guitar. The album's title track, "A World of Give and Take," written by J.K. Gulley, was deemed the A side of the single.
Charlie's lone record for Thunderbird was issued about April 1976.
The single 'A World Of Give And Take' was released in May of 1976, and brought Jim Allison a whole new audience south of the border.
Because Jim's financing fell through the album was never pressed, although at least two album covers made it out of the production facility. One cover is owned by Marilynne Caswell, and the other by the author, who owes a great debt to Don Oatman. The album should have been released in June of 1976, but it wasn't meant to be. On December 16th 2016 Roger Quick and the author released the album digitally on line. Here is the link to click on... A World Of Give And Take
We are also happy to announce that this album will also be issued as a physical in mid-September 2019, the artwork is completed and can be viewed here: A World Of Give And Take
Charlie and Marilynne continued to be good friends right up to his death in 2011. "Our Loving Place" was later recorded by Terry Sumsion in 1981, and it became his signature song. Thunderbird alumni Tommy Jacobs had planned to record the song as well, but never did get around to it.
The brothers gravestones, Ira and Charlie, side by side, even in death.
A WORLD OF GIVE AND TAKE
Charles Elzer Loudermilk was born on July 7th 1927 in Section, AL, and used the stage name of Charlie Louvin. (The ‘Lou’ was from Loudermilk added with ‘vin’ which was his brother Ira’s idea) He and Ira (1924 – 1965) sang professionally on local radio programs out of Chattanooga, TN. They sang traditional and gospel songs in harmony and in the 1950’s began appearing on the Grand Ole Opry, being inducted in 1955. When Charlie died in 2011, he was the longest serving Opry member with 56 years under his belt. The Louvin’s rich harmonies influenced Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons and the Byrds.
The brothers split in ’63, and Ira was later a victim of a tragic car accident in 1965.
Charlie began his solo career in 1964, and was signed to Capitol Records, the same label he and his brother recorded with for the previous nine years. Initially Charlie’s albums and singles did well, but over the years they would chart lower and lower. Even so, between 1964 and 1970 Charlie racked up four Canadian Top 30 Country Singles. However, by 1972 Capitol saw the light at the end of the tunnel, and dropped him. Within a year he was picked up by United Artists who released a 1974 album, ‘It almost felt like love.’ The album didn’t chart, but still provided the label with two hits. Over 1975 United Artists continued to issue singles, but Charlie was now out looking for an album deal.
At the end of 1974, he had been brought to the attention of Big Jim Allison (of Burford, ON, Canada) through a successful booking agent Marilynne Caswell, based in London, ON, and a family friend for many years. Big Jim wanted to secure some authenticity to his fledgling label, Thunderbird Recordings. At this time Charlie was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and lived in Nashville. You couldn’t get much more authentic than that. Charlie trusted Marilynne’s judgment, while Big Jim offered to cover all the expenses and recording costs. The development of the deal took a full year while Charlie decided what songs he wanted to use. In the meantime United Artists continued to issue his solo singles which he sporadically recorded.
Charlie and his band ‘The Big Men’ drove up to London in his tour bus during a bitter February of 1976. The band stayed at a hotel while Charlie bunked with Marilynne and her husband Joe. They traveled to and from Toronto several times while recording the twelve track album. Big Jim’s wife Marlene designed the album cover while Marilynne wrote the liner notes printed on the back. Several Thunderbird musicians submitted songs for the album, including David E. ‘Ted’ Brown, Wayne T. Heimbecker and John K. Gulley, who Marilynne had booked with his band Dusty Road. The photo of Charlie on the album sleeve was probably taken in front of Big Jim’s house in Burford by Marlene Allison.
Here are Marilynne Caswell’s liner notes from the back of the album cover – “The snow was piled twenty feet high, it was bitter cold, and Baxter the Bus didn’t want to start, but we all made it for the ten a.m. recording session at Thunder Sound, in Toronto. After being in the Country Music Business for nearly thirty years first with his later brother Ira as the Louvin Brothers, and since 1964 as a solo performer, Grand Ole Opry Artist, Charlie Louvin; was going to record outside Nashville, TN.
Charlie was impressed with the studio and especially with Engineer Bill Sedden whom he said “knew his equipment inside out.” The Big Men (Charlie’s Band) plus Mike ‘Pepe’ Francis and Melvin Aucoin warmed up and then Charlie stepped up to the microphone. He took a song by an unknown writer, John K. Gulley, asked Mel to play a little “Fairy Tale” sounding piano, and before long had a “take” on the title song of this album, ‘A World of Give and Take.’
Charlie, joined by Miss Pam Dickinson, recorded a great version of “If I Could Only Win Your Love” (a smash hit last year by Emmylou Harris, and written and recorded in the mid 50’s by Charlie and brother Ira.) Tim Stacey, bassist with the Big Men, then joined Charlie and Pam for some knocked-out harmony on “Blue Eyes Crying in The Rain.” Pam took the solo spotlight on another J.K. Gulley song, “Is She Gone,” while Tim Stacey picked a pretty ballad, “Especially For You” for his number.
Charlie Louvin has been a friend of our family for several years, and we have come to love him not only as an entertainer, but as a person. He works hard…..both at being a performer, and at being a friend.
There are many Awards and Gold Records on the walls of the Louvin’s Hendersonville, TN, home, and if you fans will just take my word, and buy a copy of this album, perhaps there’ll be another one, for this the very first of Charlie Louvin’s Canadian Albums. Marilynne Caswell.”
In May of 1976 Thunderbird issued the single, 'A world of give and take/If I could only win your love,' while Big Jim Allison had 500 album covers printed up at Parr’s Print & Litho. Charlie requested that Big Jim press two thousand singles to send to every country radio station in the USA. Big Jim was already feeling the financial pressures of the project, even though Charlie was a major artist to have on the label. When Big Jim realized the number of country radio stations that were in the US, he opted to press only 250 singles and distribute most of them in the Nashville area including the Grand Ole Opry Radio station, WSN. The single got limited airplay on the station, and received zero press. Charlie was sorely disappointed, but then he received word that Big Jim Allison couldn’t even afford to press the 500 albums. The project went from bad to worse when Charlie realized the album would never see the light of day, at least not in his time anyway.
Instead, Charlie went back to releasing singles with United Artists, re-recording the ‘A World of Give and Take’ album track ‘If You Believe In Me’ for the B-Side of ‘Sweet Texas,’ a single released later in 1976. Several years later, when Thunderbird Records was winding down business, Big Jim Allison sent Charlie down several album sleeves as mementos of those blustery February days back in 1976 at Thunder Sound in Toronto. Charlie kept one for himself, and sent the rest to friends, including Marilynne Caswell. Author Thomas A. Ryerson also has a copy courtesy of Don R. Oatman, who received his directly from Big Jim.
Album Notes:
This album was recorded in Toronto, Canada, in February 1976 at Thunder Sound Studios by the independent record label, Thunderbird Recordings based in Burford, ON. Although a single was released in April 1976, the album never saw the light of day as the label suffered from mismanagement and financial stress. It was actually believed that these master tapes were long gone, until they were discovered in Adel, Georgia, in November 2015. It seems former Thunderbird artist Roger Quick had been given the masters in 1978 in lieu of money owed to him by Big Jim Allison, the late owner of Thunderbird Recordings. Big Jim Allison ‘paid’ another Thunderbird artist, Don Oatman in a similar way; with a large amount of Thunderbird product, albums, singles and eight tracks. Jim assumed that Don could sell these to recoup his own losses with the label.
While conducting research for his book, ‘That Brant County Sound: The Ballad of Jim Allison and Thunderbird Recordings,’ author Thomas A. Ryerson stumbled across the missing album in Roger Quick’s possession. It was decided that they’d first see if the tapes were listenable, and if they were, Ryerson explained to Quick that he planned to issue them on his label, ‘Mouton Music Canada,’ through the i-Tunes platform.
Mouton’s previous claim to fame was receiving a review in BILLBOARD on May 27th 1995 for Ryerson’s single, ‘Slacker Anthem’, with his the band Owen. As it was, Ryerson was a musician and label owner, not unlike Big Jim Allison.
During the months of August and December 2016, the Louvin Thunderbird tape was transferred digitally in Rebecca, GA. The tape had to go through three separate processes to get where it is at this point in time. It was no spring walk in the park. That being said, it’s been very rewarding for Ryerson and Quick to make this album finally available for the fans of not only Charlie Louvin, but also the Louvin Brothers. This was supposed to be a monumental stepping stone back in 1976; it was Charlie Louvin’s first album recorded and released in Canada. In 2016 it still is, albeit forty years later.
The back album artwork was replicated in July 2016 from the only known original surviving album jacket owned by Marilynne Caswell of Brantford, ON. Then in November of that year, Don Oatman gave Tom Ryerson his copy of the jacket, which was used for the front of the CD sleeve. That way both Tom and Marilynne’s copies were utilized. Marilynne and her late husband Joe were both close friends of Charlie Louvin. It was she that first introduced Big Jim Allison and Charlie Louvin together at the end of 1974. She also wrote the original liner notes to the album that appear above. We owe a great debt to both her and John Wedge, who introduced Ryerson to Marilynne in October 2015.
For more intricate details of Big Jim Allison and Charlie Louvin, please purchase a copy of ‘That Brant County Sound: The Ballad of Jim Allison and Thunderbird Recordings,’ by author Thomas A. Ryerson, due out by June 2017. For any comments, concerns or questions, please email Tom at mouton.music.canada@gmail.com
Without further adieu, here it is, Charlie Louvin’s 1976 masterpiece, ‘A world of give and take.’ Enjoy!
The twelve songs of ‘A World of Give and Take,’ recorded in February 1976, Toronto, Canada.
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain (Fred Rose) Publisher – Acuff Rose Pub., Inc (BMI) Written in 1945, this song was first recorded by Roy Acuff in 1947, Hank Williams (1951), Donn Reynolds (1957), Ferlin Husky (1959), Slim Whitman (1959), Gene Vincent (1960), Bill Anderson (1962), John D. Loudermilk (1968), Hank Snow, and Conway Twitty in 1970. It was Willie Nelson’s version in 1975 that lit the charts on fire. John D. Loudermilk was a first half cousin of Charlie E. (Loudermilk) Louvin.
A World of give and take (John K. Gulley) – Publisher – Gullco Music (SOCAN) – This song was inspired by a Kris Kristofferson song (who was discovered by Charlie Louvin in 1965) and John liked the feel and mood. At the time (1971) John was playing guitar for Alfie Fromanger. They were travelling home from a gig on the Bruce Penninsula one night and John had a chorus melody in his head and remembered driving into Wiarton and seeing a string of street lights which inspired the second verse. John finished up the song over the next day or two.
Is She Gone (John K. Gulley) - Publisher – Gullco Music (SOCAN) – This song was written while John was a member of the Alfie Fromanger band, about 1972. It was a phrase that he and Alfie Fromanger used to joke about and John thought it would make a good country song. He was right!
Our Lovin Place (Wayne T. Heimbecker) – Publisher – (SOCAN) Wayne Heimbecker was a Paris, ON native who had been a member of Maple Street, and had released an album with Marathon Records out of Toronto in August 1974. He had written one song on that album, but had a stack of others. Three of those songs were used on this Charlie Louvin record. Terry Sumsion, a former member of Maple Street, began a solo career in 1977 and used ‘Our Lovin Place’ as one of his mainstays. He finally recorded it in 1981, and it quickly became his signature song when issued on his debut album in early 1983. This is the first time Charlie’s version has seen the light of day.
If I Could Only Win Your Love (Ira & Charlie Louvin) - Publisher – Acuff Rose Pub., Inc (BMI) This song was included on the Louvin Brothers 1958 album, “Country Love Ballads.” In June 1975 Emmylou Harris released it as a single and took it to #4 on the US Country Charts.
Will You Visit Me on Sundays – (Dallas Frazier) - Publisher – Acuff Rose Pub., Inc (BMI) This song was originally recorded by Charlie solo in 1968, getting to #20. Dallas Frazier was also the writer of both Alley Oop for the Hollywood Argyles and Elvira which was later recorded by the Oak Ridge Boys in 1981.
When I Stop Dreaming – (Ira & Charlie Louvin) - Publisher – Acuff Rose Pub., Inc (BMI) This single was originally issued in 1955 by the Louvin Brothers and became their breakthrough hit getting to #8 on the country charts, their first of six top 10 singles.
Sweet Sweet Lovin (Wayne T. Heimbecker) – Publisher – (SOCAN) This is the only recording of this 1974 Wayne Heimbecker song, and it now makes its debut over forty years later. It’s possible Terry Sumsion sang it during his early concerts, but he never recorded it.
Especially For You (David E. ‘Ted’ Brown) – Publisher – Mouton Music Canada (SOCAN) Ted Brown was the family favorite within the Thunderbird organization during their first year. He wrote two songs on the 1974 Maple Street album, and the A and B sides to the first two Thunderbird singles. Especially for You was the B-Side of 'Living On Pogey,' and was issued in May 1975, performed by Dug Bond and the Maple Street Show Band. Big Jim Allison really wanted Ted to be a successful songwriter, but it wasn’t to be, at the time.
I don’t believe you’ve Met My Baby (Robert Autry Inman) – Publisher – Tree Pub. Co., Inc (BMI) Originally issued in 1955, this was the Louvin Brother’s second top ten hit, and their first and only number one single.
Hazy Thoughts (Wayne T. Heimbecker) – Publisher – (SOCAN) Terry Sumsion recorded this song for his debut album, which was recorded in 1982 and issued in early 1983.
If You Believe In Me (Linda Bookout) – Publisher – Black Wings Pub. Co. (BMI) After the failure of his Thunderbird album, Charlie re-recorded this song as the B-Side of his 1976 United Artists single, “Sweet Texas.”
Here are other Thunderbird related titles available at CD Baby digital:
Gary Austin Easy Lovin’ Traditional Country
Canadian Rhythmaires Cayauga Hotel 1973 Live Recordings
Canadian Rhythmaires The Jim Allison Experience Live Recordings
Judy Lynn Gregson & Tobacco Road Love The Country Traditional Country
Roger Quick Looking Back Hits 1975 - 1995
Gerry Risser Christmas Guitar Classical Guitar Christmas
Terry Sumsion New Directions Brant County Superstar
Tom Ryerson’s label ‘Mouton Music Canada’ is recognized by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and the Government of Canada, and as well Tom is also a voting member with the Juno Awards, Canada’s equivalent of the American Grammy Awards. Mouton Music Canada was established in Canada on November 4th 1991 and was first mentioned in print on May 27th 1995 in Billboard Magazine when the single ‘Slacker Anthem’ was reviewed.
A WORLD OF GIVE AND TAKE
Charles Elzer Loudermilk was born on July 7th 1927 in Section, AL, and used the stage name of Charlie Louvin. (The ‘Lou’ was from Loudermilk added with ‘vin’ which was his brother Ira’s idea) He and Ira (1924 – 1965) sang professionally on local radio programs out of Chattanooga, TN. They sang traditional and gospel songs in harmony and in the 1950’s began appearing on the Grand Ole Opry, being inducted in 1955. When Charlie died in 2011, he was the longest serving Opry member with 56 years under his belt. The Louvin’s rich harmonies influenced Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons and the Byrds.
The brothers split in ’63, and Ira was later a victim of a tragic car accident in 1965.
Charlie began his solo career in 1964, and was signed to Capitol Records, the same label he and his brother recorded with for the previous nine years. Initially Charlie’s albums and singles did well, but over the years they would chart lower and lower. Even so, between 1964 and 1970 Charlie racked up four Canadian Top 30 Country Singles. However, by 1972 Capitol saw the light at the end of the tunnel, and dropped him. Within a year he was picked up by United Artists who released a 1974 album, ‘It almost felt like love.’ The album didn’t chart, but still provided the label with two hits. Over 1975 United Artists continued to issue singles, but Charlie was now out looking for an album deal.
At the end of 1974, he had been brought to the attention of Big Jim Allison (of Burford, ON, Canada) through a successful booking agent Marilynne Caswell, based in London, ON, and a family friend for many years. Big Jim wanted to secure some authenticity to his fledgling label, Thunderbird Recordings. At this time Charlie was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and lived in Nashville. You couldn’t get much more authentic than that. Charlie trusted Marilynne’s judgment, while Big Jim offered to cover all the expenses and recording costs. The development of the deal took a full year while Charlie decided what songs he wanted to use. In the meantime United Artists continued to issue his solo singles which he sporadically recorded.
Charlie and his band ‘The Big Men’ drove up to London in his tour bus during a bitter February of 1976. The band stayed at a hotel while Charlie bunked with Marilynne and her husband Joe. They traveled to and from Toronto several times while recording the twelve track album. Big Jim’s wife Marlene designed the album cover while Marilynne wrote the liner notes printed on the back. Several Thunderbird musicians submitted songs for the album, including David E. ‘Ted’ Brown, Wayne T. Heimbecker and John K. Gulley, who Marilynne had booked with his band Dusty Road. The photo of Charlie on the album sleeve was probably taken in front of Big Jim’s house in Burford by Marlene Allison.
Here are Marilynne Caswell’s liner notes from the back of the album cover – “The snow was piled twenty feet high, it was bitter cold, and Baxter the Bus didn’t want to start, but we all made it for the ten a.m. recording session at Thunder Sound, in Toronto. After being in the Country Music Business for nearly thirty years first with his later brother Ira as the Louvin Brothers, and since 1964 as a solo performer, Grand Ole Opry Artist, Charlie Louvin; was going to record outside Nashville, TN.
Charlie was impressed with the studio and especially with Engineer Bill Sedden whom he said “knew his equipment inside out.” The Big Men (Charlie’s Band) plus Mike ‘Pepe’ Francis and Melvin Aucoin warmed up and then Charlie stepped up to the microphone. He took a song by an unknown writer, John K. Gulley, asked Mel to play a little “Fairy Tale” sounding piano, and before long had a “take” on the title song of this album, ‘A World of Give and Take.’
Charlie, joined by Miss Pam Dickinson, recorded a great version of “If I Could Only Win Your Love” (a smash hit last year by Emmylou Harris, and written and recorded in the mid 50’s by Charlie and brother Ira.) Tim Stacey, bassist with the Big Men, then joined Charlie and Pam for some knocked-out harmony on “Blue Eyes Crying in The Rain.” Pam took the solo spotlight on another J.K. Gulley song, “Is She Gone,” while Tim Stacey picked a pretty ballad, “Especially For You” for his number.
Charlie Louvin has been a friend of our family for several years, and we have come to love him not only as an entertainer, but as a person. He works hard…..both at being a performer, and at being a friend.
There are many Awards and Gold Records on the walls of the Louvin’s Hendersonville, TN, home, and if you fans will just take my word, and buy a copy of this album, perhaps there’ll be another one, for this the very first of Charlie Louvin’s Canadian Albums. Marilynne Caswell.”
In May of 1976 Thunderbird issued the single, 'A world of give and take/If I could only win your love,' while Big Jim Allison had 500 album covers printed up at Parr’s Print & Litho. Charlie requested that Big Jim press two thousand singles to send to every country radio station in the USA. Big Jim was already feeling the financial pressures of the project, even though Charlie was a major artist to have on the label. When Big Jim realized the number of country radio stations that were in the US, he opted to press only 250 singles and distribute most of them in the Nashville area including the Grand Ole Opry Radio station, WSN. The single got limited airplay on the station, and received zero press. Charlie was sorely disappointed, but then he received word that Big Jim Allison couldn’t even afford to press the 500 albums. The project went from bad to worse when Charlie realized the album would never see the light of day, at least not in his time anyway.
Instead, Charlie went back to releasing singles with United Artists, re-recording the ‘A World of Give and Take’ album track ‘If You Believe In Me’ for the B-Side of ‘Sweet Texas,’ a single released later in 1976. Several years later, when Thunderbird Records was winding down business, Big Jim Allison sent Charlie down several album sleeves as mementos of those blustery February days back in 1976 at Thunder Sound in Toronto. Charlie kept one for himself, and sent the rest to friends, including Marilynne Caswell. Author Thomas A. Ryerson also has a copy courtesy of Don R. Oatman, who received his directly from Big Jim.
Album Notes:
This album was recorded in Toronto, Canada, in February 1976 at Thunder Sound Studios by the independent record label, Thunderbird Recordings based in Burford, ON. Although a single was released in April 1976, the album never saw the light of day as the label suffered from mismanagement and financial stress. It was actually believed that these master tapes were long gone, until they were discovered in Adel, Georgia, in November 2015. It seems former Thunderbird artist Roger Quick had been given the masters in 1978 in lieu of money owed to him by Big Jim Allison, the late owner of Thunderbird Recordings. Big Jim Allison ‘paid’ another Thunderbird artist, Don Oatman in a similar way; with a large amount of Thunderbird product, albums, singles and eight tracks. Jim assumed that Don could sell these to recoup his own losses with the label.
While conducting research for his book, ‘That Brant County Sound: The Ballad of Jim Allison and Thunderbird Recordings,’ author Thomas A. Ryerson stumbled across the missing album in Roger Quick’s possession. It was decided that they’d first see if the tapes were listenable, and if they were, Ryerson explained to Quick that he planned to issue them on his label, ‘Mouton Music Canada,’ through the i-Tunes platform.
Mouton’s previous claim to fame was receiving a review in BILLBOARD on May 27th 1995 for Ryerson’s single, ‘Slacker Anthem’, with his the band Owen. As it was, Ryerson was a musician and label owner, not unlike Big Jim Allison.
During the months of August and December 2016, the Louvin Thunderbird tape was transferred digitally in Rebecca, GA. The tape had to go through three separate processes to get where it is at this point in time. It was no spring walk in the park. That being said, it’s been very rewarding for Ryerson and Quick to make this album finally available for the fans of not only Charlie Louvin, but also the Louvin Brothers. This was supposed to be a monumental stepping stone back in 1976; it was Charlie Louvin’s first album recorded and released in Canada. In 2016 it still is, albeit forty years later.
The back album artwork was replicated in July 2016 from the only known original surviving album jacket owned by Marilynne Caswell of Brantford, ON. Then in November of that year, Don Oatman gave Tom Ryerson his copy of the jacket, which was used for the front of the CD sleeve. That way both Tom and Marilynne’s copies were utilized. Marilynne and her late husband Joe were both close friends of Charlie Louvin. It was she that first introduced Big Jim Allison and Charlie Louvin together at the end of 1974. She also wrote the original liner notes to the album that appear above. We owe a great debt to both her and John Wedge, who introduced Ryerson to Marilynne in October 2015.
For more intricate details of Big Jim Allison and Charlie Louvin, please purchase a copy of ‘That Brant County Sound: The Ballad of Jim Allison and Thunderbird Recordings,’ by author Thomas A. Ryerson, due out by June 2017. For any comments, concerns or questions, please email Tom at mouton.music.canada@gmail.com
Without further adieu, here it is, Charlie Louvin’s 1976 masterpiece, ‘A world of give and take.’ Enjoy!
The twelve songs of ‘A World of Give and Take,’ recorded in February 1976, Toronto, Canada.
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain (Fred Rose) Publisher – Acuff Rose Pub., Inc (BMI) Written in 1945, this song was first recorded by Roy Acuff in 1947, Hank Williams (1951), Donn Reynolds (1957), Ferlin Husky (1959), Slim Whitman (1959), Gene Vincent (1960), Bill Anderson (1962), John D. Loudermilk (1968), Hank Snow, and Conway Twitty in 1970. It was Willie Nelson’s version in 1975 that lit the charts on fire. John D. Loudermilk was a first half cousin of Charlie E. (Loudermilk) Louvin.
A World of give and take (John K. Gulley) – Publisher – Gullco Music (SOCAN) – This song was inspired by a Kris Kristofferson song (who was discovered by Charlie Louvin in 1965) and John liked the feel and mood. At the time (1971) John was playing guitar for Alfie Fromanger. They were travelling home from a gig on the Bruce Penninsula one night and John had a chorus melody in his head and remembered driving into Wiarton and seeing a string of street lights which inspired the second verse. John finished up the song over the next day or two.
Is She Gone (John K. Gulley) - Publisher – Gullco Music (SOCAN) – This song was written while John was a member of the Alfie Fromanger band, about 1972. It was a phrase that he and Alfie Fromanger used to joke about and John thought it would make a good country song. He was right!
Our Lovin Place (Wayne T. Heimbecker) – Publisher – (SOCAN) Wayne Heimbecker was a Paris, ON native who had been a member of Maple Street, and had released an album with Marathon Records out of Toronto in August 1974. He had written one song on that album, but had a stack of others. Three of those songs were used on this Charlie Louvin record. Terry Sumsion, a former member of Maple Street, began a solo career in 1977 and used ‘Our Lovin Place’ as one of his mainstays. He finally recorded it in 1981, and it quickly became his signature song when issued on his debut album in early 1983. This is the first time Charlie’s version has seen the light of day.
If I Could Only Win Your Love (Ira & Charlie Louvin) - Publisher – Acuff Rose Pub., Inc (BMI) This song was included on the Louvin Brothers 1958 album, “Country Love Ballads.” In June 1975 Emmylou Harris released it as a single and took it to #4 on the US Country Charts.
Will You Visit Me on Sundays – (Dallas Frazier) - Publisher – Acuff Rose Pub., Inc (BMI) This song was originally recorded by Charlie solo in 1968, getting to #20. Dallas Frazier was also the writer of both Alley Oop for the Hollywood Argyles and Elvira which was later recorded by the Oak Ridge Boys in 1981.
When I Stop Dreaming – (Ira & Charlie Louvin) - Publisher – Acuff Rose Pub., Inc (BMI) This single was originally issued in 1955 by the Louvin Brothers and became their breakthrough hit getting to #8 on the country charts, their first of six top 10 singles.
Sweet Sweet Lovin (Wayne T. Heimbecker) – Publisher – (SOCAN) This is the only recording of this 1974 Wayne Heimbecker song, and it now makes its debut over forty years later. It’s possible Terry Sumsion sang it during his early concerts, but he never recorded it.
Especially For You (David E. ‘Ted’ Brown) – Publisher – Mouton Music Canada (SOCAN) Ted Brown was the family favorite within the Thunderbird organization during their first year. He wrote two songs on the 1974 Maple Street album, and the A and B sides to the first two Thunderbird singles. Especially for You was the B-Side of 'Living On Pogey,' and was issued in May 1975, performed by Dug Bond and the Maple Street Show Band. Big Jim Allison really wanted Ted to be a successful songwriter, but it wasn’t to be, at the time.
I don’t believe you’ve Met My Baby (Robert Autry Inman) – Publisher – Tree Pub. Co., Inc (BMI) Originally issued in 1955, this was the Louvin Brother’s second top ten hit, and their first and only number one single.
Hazy Thoughts (Wayne T. Heimbecker) – Publisher – (SOCAN) Terry Sumsion recorded this song for his debut album, which was recorded in 1982 and issued in early 1983.
If You Believe In Me (Linda Bookout) – Publisher – Black Wings Pub. Co. (BMI) After the failure of his Thunderbird album, Charlie re-recorded this song as the B-Side of his 1976 United Artists single, “Sweet Texas.”
Here are other Thunderbird related titles available at CD Baby digital:
Gary Austin Easy Lovin’ Traditional Country
Canadian Rhythmaires Cayauga Hotel 1973 Live Recordings
Canadian Rhythmaires The Jim Allison Experience Live Recordings
Judy Lynn Gregson & Tobacco Road Love The Country Traditional Country
Roger Quick Looking Back Hits 1975 - 1995
Gerry Risser Christmas Guitar Classical Guitar Christmas
Terry Sumsion New Directions Brant County Superstar
Tom Ryerson’s label ‘Mouton Music Canada’ is recognized by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and the Government of Canada, and as well Tom is also a voting member with the Juno Awards, Canada’s equivalent of the American Grammy Awards. Mouton Music Canada was established in Canada on November 4th 1991 and was first mentioned in print on May 27th 1995 in Billboard Magazine when the single ‘Slacker Anthem’ was reviewed.
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