The Lewis Family
Encyclopedia
The Lewis Family is a family of gospel
and bluegrass music
ians from Lincolnton
, Georgia
. They are known as the "First Family of Bluegrass Gospel".
The family was founded by Pop and Mom Lewis (Roy Lewis Sr. and Pauline Lewis, nee Holloway), who married in 1925. In 1951 they chose the name The Lewis Family when singing at a Woodmen of the World meeting. Later that year, they did their first recording sessions, released on Sullivan Records. In 1954, they were offered a slot performing weekly on a television show in Augusta, Georgia
, where they would appear until 1992. They began recording for Starday Records in 1957 and continued recording prolifically for Canaan
, Riversong, Daywind, and others; they have released nearly 60 albums.
The Lewis Family started touring regularly in the 1960s, continuing into the 2000s; several generations of family members have entered the group as time passed. They also held an annual festival in their hometown, the Lewis Family Homecoming & Bluegrass Festival.
The Lewis Family joined producers Randall Franks
and Alan Autry
for the In the Heat of the Night (TV Series)
cast CD “Christmas Time’s A Comin’” performing "Christmas Time's A Comin'" with the cast on the CD released on Sonlite and MGM/UA for one of the most popular Christmas releases of 1991 and 1992 with Southern retailers. Group members Travis Lewis and Lewis Phillips also assisted the cast with the song "Jingle Bells." Fiddler Franks made numerous appearances through the years with the group in concert.
The group was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame
in 1992 and the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor
in 2006. They have also won a number of Dove awards. Due to the declining health of several members, the Lewis Family announced its retirement in May 2009; they perform their final regular concert on September 5, 2009, in Dover, Pennsylvania. On November 7, 2009 the family returned home to Lincolnton
to perform a farewell concert.
The Lewis Family's original home, built by Pop, is currently being restored by Jeff and Sheri Easter. Sheri is the daughter of Polly Lewis Copsey.
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
and bluegrass music
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
ians from Lincolnton
Lincolnton, Georgia
Lincolnton is a city in and the county seat of Lincoln County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,595 at the 2000 census. It is the location for the historical site, Elijah Clark State Park, and contains numerous houses and historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. They are known as the "First Family of Bluegrass Gospel".
The family was founded by Pop and Mom Lewis (Roy Lewis Sr. and Pauline Lewis, nee Holloway), who married in 1925. In 1951 they chose the name The Lewis Family when singing at a Woodmen of the World meeting. Later that year, they did their first recording sessions, released on Sullivan Records. In 1954, they were offered a slot performing weekly on a television show in Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
, where they would appear until 1992. They began recording for Starday Records in 1957 and continued recording prolifically for Canaan
Canaan Records
Canaan Records is a Christian record label and is a subsidiary of Word Entertainment. It started in 1965 by founder Marvin Norcross as a vehicle for the label's Southern Gospel quartets. Their biggest artist to date is that of the Legendary Happy Goodman Family...
, Riversong, Daywind, and others; they have released nearly 60 albums.
The Lewis Family started touring regularly in the 1960s, continuing into the 2000s; several generations of family members have entered the group as time passed. They also held an annual festival in their hometown, the Lewis Family Homecoming & Bluegrass Festival.
The Lewis Family joined producers Randall Franks
Randall Franks
Randall Franks is an award-winning bluegrass singer and musician who plays fiddle, mandolin, guitar and mountain dulcimer. He was recognized by the International Bluegrass Music Museum in 2010 as a Bluegrass Legend; inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004; and was designated...
and Alan Autry
Alan Autry
Carlos Alan Autry is an American actor, politician, and former National Football League football player. He is best known for his role as Captain Bubba Skinner on the television series In the Heat of the Night; he also has been in numerous movies and other television shows...
for the In the Heat of the Night (TV Series)
In the Heat of the Night (TV series)
In the Heat of the Night is a television series based on the motion picture and novel of the same name. It was broadcast on NBC from 1988 until 1992, and then on CBS until 1995...
cast CD “Christmas Time’s A Comin’” performing "Christmas Time's A Comin'" with the cast on the CD released on Sonlite and MGM/UA for one of the most popular Christmas releases of 1991 and 1992 with Southern retailers. Group members Travis Lewis and Lewis Phillips also assisted the cast with the song "Jingle Bells." Fiddler Franks made numerous appearances through the years with the group in concert.
The group was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame
Georgia Music Hall of Fame
The Georgia Music Hall of Fame, located in downtown Macon, Georgia, preserves and interprets the state's rich musical heritage through programs of collection, exhibition, education and performance...
in 1992 and the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor
International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor
Induction to the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, called the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor from its creation in 1991 through 2006, is managed by the International Bluegrass Music Association, and the Hall itself is maintained at the International Bluegrass Music Museum in...
in 2006. They have also won a number of Dove awards. Due to the declining health of several members, the Lewis Family announced its retirement in May 2009; they perform their final regular concert on September 5, 2009, in Dover, Pennsylvania. On November 7, 2009 the family returned home to Lincolnton
Lincolnton, Georgia
Lincolnton is a city in and the county seat of Lincoln County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,595 at the 2000 census. It is the location for the historical site, Elijah Clark State Park, and contains numerous houses and historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic...
to perform a farewell concert.
The Lewis Family's original home, built by Pop, is currently being restored by Jeff and Sheri Easter. Sheri is the daughter of Polly Lewis Copsey.