The Lewis Family induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame
February 22, 2005

Caption:  Hall of Fame members, The Lewis Family and Amy Grant at the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. 

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn.--The GMA Foundation (GMAF) inducted Walter Hawkins, Mylon Le Fevre, Evie Tornquist and The Lewis Family into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame earlier this week. Ron Huff, Don Light and Lou Hildreth were also inducted as non-performing members into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame during the event on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 just outside of Nashville.  The GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame ceremony was held at Trinity Music City in Hendersonville, Tenn.. The night was taped as a one-hour special for TBN.  

          

Organized in 1951, The Lewis Family has achieved worldwide recognition as an icon of bluegrass gospel music and have been called the genre's "First Family." From a modest but proud beginning in its hometown, Lincolnton, Ga., the group continues today as it began; made up entirely of family members. Now encompassing three generations, the show offers a broad appeal to all ages. The Lewis Family has recorded for Daywind Music Group since 1995, but has recorded more than 60 albums and six videos in the group's career. The Lewis Family has their own event, "The Lewis Family Homecoming & Bluegrass Festival" held annually the first weekend of every May at the Elijah Clark State Park four miles east of Lincolnton. "Pop" Roy Lewis died last year, but despite the loss of its patriarch, The Lewis Family continues to maintain its rich heritage and the "First Family of Bluegrass Gospel Music" is still going strong today.

For more information on the Lewis Family, visit www.thelewisfamilymusic.com.  For more information on the GMA, visit www.gospelmusic.org.  

Contact: Tricia Whitehead, Spinhouse PR for Gospel Music Association
615-599-7746; Spinhouse@bellsouth.net

Contact Crystal Burchette for Lewis Family

615-822-4524; cburchette@daywind.com

 

 

The GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame officially inducted its newest members on Feb. 22. (Front row, L-R): Evie Tornquist, Janis Lewis Phillips (Lewis Family), Miggie Lewis (Lewis Family), Polly Lewis Copsey (Lewis Family), Little Roy Lewis (Lewis Family), and Lou Hildreth. (Back row, L-R:) Lewis Phillips (Lewis Family), GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame Committee Chair Ed Harper, Mylon Le Fevre, GMA President John W. Styll, Don Light, Scot Yarbrough (Lewis Family), Walter Hawkins, and Judy Spencer Nelon, GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame committee member. (Photo by Katy Marshall)

Notes and photos below from the Lewis Family's induction into the GMA Hall of Fame
thanks to Edward McCurry.  Click on each thumbnail picture to view larger photo.

NOTES ON THE LEWIS FAMILY INDUCTION

On Tuesday evening, February 22, 2005, in the beautiful Trinity Music City Church Auditorium in Hendersonville, TN, The Lewis Family received the greatest honor in Gospel Music. It was there that the Gospel Music Hall of Fame Member medallion was placed around the neck of each member of the group. The Lewis Family has now taken their place among the greatest of the greats in Gospel Music. Long time friend and entertainer Marty Raybon introduced The Lewis Family. There was also a video introduction of the family spanning much of their history. The Isaacs then performed The Lewis Family song “Hallelujah Turnpike”. As The Lewis Family came out on stage they had never looked better, the ladies were in beautiful new outfits and men in suits. Polly accepted for the family and mentioned the over 50-year history of the family as well as Mom and Pop Lewis who traveled with them for so many years. It was just like you knew that Mom and Pop was looking down from Heaven and smiling on them. Polly went on the thank the Gospel Music Association, their friends and family for their support. Afterwards there was a reception for the inductees and invited guest.

ŠThe Lewis Family
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