The Louvins were rowdy and they were purists. Charlie was the sweeter one. Ira was known to smash his mandolin on stage at shows. When “rock and roll” came into vogue in the 1950s, the duo went on tour with Elvis Presley. As the story goes, Ira told Elvis his music was “trash” and strangled the young feller. This wasn’t the first or last fight involving the Louvins. They had 20 country hits that topped the charts and they loved Jesus. For the cover of Satan Is Real, the brothers posed in front of burning tires and a 12-foot plywood Devil. The Louvin Brothers broke up in 1963 after releasing their last single, “Must You Throw Dirt In My Face.” Two years later, Ira died in a car accident, and Charlie passed away in January of this year.

April 21st is Ira Louvin’s birthday so The New L.A. Folk Fest is celebrating the legacy of these country pioneers in Los Angeles.

Featuring live covers of Louvin Bros songs by Tom Brosseau & John C. Reilly, Chapin Sisters, Jenny O, Stone Darling, I See Hawks In LA ft. Tony Gilkyson (of legendary bands X & Lone Justice), Driftwood Singers, The Damn Sons, Olentangy John, Fort King, Emily Lacy, RT N The 44′s, Wimberley Bluegrass Band, The Damn Sons, and more special guests that will turn you into a rootin’ tootin’ boot stompin’ swangin’ sinnin’ but possibly god fearin’ hillbilly.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross, as part of The New Los Angeles Folk Festival’s MONTH-LONG tsunami relief fundraiser. We’ll be taking donations at all our events and online throughout April.

O.N.E. Natural Experience and Metl Reserva Especial Mezcal & Tequila will provide delicious beverages.

Tickets are 10 dollars. Doors at 730pm, Show starts at 8pm.
Purchase tickets online

Historical Monument 157 is our gracious host and one of the coolest venues in town.
L.A. Record is our rock of gibraltar.

Tom Brosseau

John C. Reilly
(just picture Tom Brosseau there instead of Woody Harrelson)

Chapin Sisters

Jenny O

Leslie Stevens

Stone Darling

I See Hawks In L.A.

Tony Gilkyson

The Driftwood Singers

Fort King

Wimberley Bluegrass Band

RT N’ The 44′s

Emily Lacy

Olentangy John