I can't recommend Cocaine & Rhinestones, a country music history podcast by Tyler Mahan Coe, enough. One of the first episodes in the first season is about the Louvin Brothers, and their "blood harmony" singing that is perhaps only possible to achieve among relatives. Coe recommended Charlie Louvin's autobiography, Satan is Real, the library had it, and here we are.
It's a quick, easy read, broken up into short chapters, and Louvin's conversational style is engaging. Coe pointed out several instances where Louvin made claims that don't hold up to scrutiny, so who knows how much of the book is actually true. Charlie spends most of the book tearing down his late brother, Ira, for his heavy drinking, surly attitude, and poor marriage decisions, which comes off as pretty self-serving.
The life of a touring musician in the '40s onward doesn't sound like much to aspire to. Charlie relates all kinds of tales of driving all night from one gig to another, with only enough time to rinse off his face before taking the stage again. Amphetamines were crucial to the lifestyle, and while Charlie stayed married for his whole adult life, it doesn't sound like he had much of a family life. There were a couple of photos of his kids, but he had way more to say about Ira's exes than any of his own children.
A couple of closing thoughts: 1) Damn, "Knoxville Girl" is a brutally gruesome song. 2) Hoo boy, I'd really like to own a Nudie suit.
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