Today’s post was written by Paul.
“Too Little and Too Late” is a great song, written by Homer Strickland, that really showcased Charlie Louvin’s superb vocal range. It was track 2 on the 1967 album “I Forgot to Cry,” released by Capitol. You can hear the original recording here.
The album shown in the video below is not that album but Charlie’s first album. I couldn’t resist putting the photo in the video because Tipper was just gifted the album by a nice elderly worker at one of our local trash dumps. Someone set the record in the giveaway area. Tipper brought it straight to me. What’s wild is that I had just finished recording this video when she brought it!
I already had this album, and the one I had is in pretty good condition. The one Tipper brought home from the dump is better than mint! Although it’s an original print, someone kept it in absolute new condition! My guess is that the proud owner probably passed away and their children or heirs had no use for their record collection.
Although it was on the B-side, this song reached number 36 for Charlie, which isn’t bad, but it’s nowhere near the level of success he had with hits on his first solo album, like “I Don’t Love You Anymore.”
Though his solo career slowly cooled down over the years and decades, Charlie just kept singing his heart out, like you will hear in the original recording of this song. I mentioned in the notes of previous videos that I was fortunate enough to spend an entire day with Charlie once, and he was extremely nice to me, very giving of his time.
Recently, Doyle Dykes and I were swapping stories and I told him about something I read in an autobiography of Johnny Cash. As a boy, Cash saw the Louvins when they came and performed at his local school in Arkansas. He walked there barefoot, several miles. He was the first one there when the Louvin’s vehicle pulled up to the school that evening. Charlie walked straight up to Cash and asked him where the bathroom was. Cash escorted Charlie to the restroom and waited on him to come out. When Charlie emerged, he reached into his suit pocket and pulled out some soda crackers and began eating them. Cash asked, “Are those good for your singing voice?” Charlie responded, “They’re good for your belly when you’re hungry.” The funniest part of their encounter is that Cash, who had listened to all the Louvins’ music up to that point, told Charlie that he could sing high just like Ira. Obviously, that must have been well before his voice dropped to the bass voice that made him famous.
Later in life, when Cash had become very successful, he had the opportunity to repay Charlie’s friendliness to him, but I’ll leave that part of the story for Acorns to read in some of the biographies of the Louvins.
I apologize for the angle of this video. There’s not really a good way to video my singing when I have to look down at the keys as I play. Maybe I’ll eventually learn my way around by feel, rather than vision. In order to keep from distorting the camera, I had to go into my “head voice” on the high parts, rather than singing with a fuller voice, like Charlie did in the recording. Pap’s birthday is coming up on July 16th. Lord willing, I’ll upload a musical birthday tribute in his honor. Thanks for watching!
Paul
Original singles released on Spotify.
Shepherd of My Soul (Album released in 2016).
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Paul, you did an amazing job at playing keyboard and singing. I never heard that song before, but if my dad was still living I have no doubt he would have known it. My dad loved country music and knew all the older songs. He would have been a big fan of your YouTube channel as well. Thank you for keeping the older songs and artist known for current and future generations to enjoy.
Paul, I didn’t know you played the piano or keyboard too and you play quite well I must say. I will say this song speaks so much truth and pain, it’s a real tear jerker like country should be… Happy Birthday Charlie and PAP!!!! I liked this song and don’t crackers do fill that empty spot and who needs a growling belly on stage? Lol Have a great day, Yall!!! Blessings to the Wilsons!
I live in DeKalb county Alabama on Sand Mt. The Louvin (Loudermilk) Brothers original home too. It’s sad how many local people don’t have a clue who they are anymore and their influence on music. DeKalb county has produced several musical legends. Gospel singer Vestal Freeman Goodman and three members of the group Alabama. As a teacher/principal I know younger generations have no connection with any of these local music greats. Your dad’s birthday is the 16th my mother’s is the 15th. Some good people born in July!
My Daddy, July 5th, my Granddaddy Kirby July 20th and my father in law died on July 11th…three of the finest Christian men I have ever known in my lifetime.
As usual enjoyed your post and song! Thank you for sharing.
Wow Paul! I usually don’t like that genre of music but I loved that. I will definitely be watching again. Thanks for starting my day off with a song.❤️
Paul, the things you know about country music! You could be the director of any one of the country music museums around the country based on knowledge alone. Add to that your singing and playing and you could add that to. That is a whole world I know little about so I most likely am much under what all you could do. I’d sure like to listen to you as a tour guide say at the museum in Bristol, TN/VA. (See, I know it’s there but do not know which side of the line.) What I know about music wouldn’t fill a thimble. What I like most about country music is that it is mostly about real life that I can relate to.
Thanks for sharing another great song. Hadn’t heard this one before.
Paul, I think you were sounding good on today’s song. I think of Charlie taking a little bit of time to talk with a young barefoot, probably poor boy. I wonder how many of today’s artist, sports figures or successful people would give a young person like that “the time of day” or as my Daddy would say”the air in a jug.” I have been recently reading a book titled The Way It Was Back Then by Robert Earl Woodard. In the short stories I have read so far, the kindness of the people toward one another shines out. To me, the character of the people is one of the things that made the old days in the past so much better. From a working or financial standpoint they were a lot harder. Sorry for getting off on that thought.