The Lewis Family
received the highest honor that can be received in bluegrass music on Thursday night,
September 28, when they were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of
Honor. Their induction was at The Seventeenth Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards
show in Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House
hosted by Marty Stuart. The Lewis Family attended a Nominees’ Press Reception hosted
by BMI before the start of the program at which time they were able to see other nominees
for the evening, their friends from the music industry and guests.
The program consisted
of award presentations and performances by such artists as Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart,
Rhonda Vincent and others. For The Lewis Family’s induction, Marty Stuart stated
about the first time he saw The Lewis Family at an early age “I fell in love with The
Lewis Family that night and they probably have no idea how deep they have been in my heart
and I still love The Lewis Family with all my heart and we have come to that part of our
show when we induct them, as they are heroes, into the prestigious International Bluegrass
Music Hall of Honor.”
Bill Gaither gave some
of the history of The Lewis Family as pictures were shown on the large screen. Bill
Gaither said, “The highly entertaining and enormously popular Lewis Family have
become known as The First Family of Bluegrass Gospel Music. It is my honor and pleasure to
induct The Lewis Family tonight as the 25th member of the International
Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor. As The Lewis Family came on stage to receive the honor they
had never looked better with Miggie, Polly and Janis in beautiful new dresses and Little
Roy, Lewis and Scot in suits.
Janis accepted for the
family and said, “Thanks to IBMA for presenting us with this great honor.” She
continued and remembered Pop and Mom, thanking them for their encouragement through the
years.
The program closed
with a special tribute to The Lewis Family as they were joined on stage by Jeff and Sheri
Easter and The Isaacs to perform two of their songs, Joshua and Hallelujah
Turnpike.