Bluegrass, gospel highlight weekend at Elijah Clark Park

Banjo pickers, fiddlers, and mandolin players will be out in full force when the 19th Annual Lewis Family Homecoming & Bluegrass Festival gets underway today (Thursday) at Elijah Clark State Park.

The event is set to continue through Saturday, May 6.

Leading the impressive line-up of talent are Jimmy C. Newman & Cajun Country (Saturday), the Cherryholmes Family (Thursday), and of course, members of Lincoln County's own Lewis Family, hosts of the event (two shows daily).

In 1956, Jimmy C. Newman, a native of Big Mamou, Louisiana, made history as the first Cajun country singer to join the Grand Ole Opry where he continues to perform on a regular basis.

He is also the only Cajun artist ever to receive a Gold Record for a Cajun-French song ("Lache Pas La Potate"). Other hits throughout the years include "Cry, Cry Darlin'," "Daydreaming," "A Fallen Star," and "Louisiana Man."

In 1991, Newman and his band received a Grammy for their album Alligator Man; in 1992, the Cajun singer was recognized by the CajunFrench Music Association of South Louisiana for helping promote Cajun music around the world.

Concerning the relative newcomers at the festival, members of the Cherryholmes Family have been taking the bluegrass world by storm, bringing audiences to their feet at nearly every performance. Comprised of Jere and Sandy Lee and their four children, Cia Leigh, B.J., Skip, and Molly Kate, the group travels all over the country, approximately 300 days a year, singing, playing, and dancing with their trademark drive and energy.

Last year, the family was named the "Entertainer of the Year" by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and the "Entertaining Group of the Year" by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Gospel Music of America (SPBGMA). Cia Leigh was also selected as the SPBGMA's "Banjo Player of the Year."

Hitting their stride in 2003, the Cherryholmes Family has appeared on countless radio and television shows and at festivals and concert venues through the United States. These include Branson, Ernest Tubb's "Midnight Jamboree," Dollywood, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Grand Ole Opry.

Although many big names in bluegrass music will be taking the stage at Elijah Clark Park this weekend, the hearts of the audience will once again belong to the Lewis Family - "America's First Family of Bluegrass Gospel Music."

Now in their 56th year of performing, members of the Lewis Family have delighted fans from coast to coast with their dazzling musical talent and friendly downhome approach to people and life.

In addition to other commitments, the Lewis Family is a top headliner each year at 50 or more of the nation's major bluegrass festivals and is verifiably the most in-demand act on the circuit.

To date, they have recorded more than 60 albums and eight videos. Their latest CD, which is being released this week, is titled Flyin' High. Copies of the CD, which features songs such as "What Greater Prize," "The Key to Heaven Was Hung on a Nail," and "Fight the Good Fight," will be available at the festival.

Last year, the group released One Rose, a CD recorded in memory of Roy "Pop" Lewis, Sr., the patriarch of the famous musical family, who passed away March 23, 2004, at the age of 98. "Just One Rose Will Do" was Pop's signature song. Among other accolades, he was a recipient of the "Diamond Lifetime Achievement Award."

In 1992, Pop and his famous offspring were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. The famous family has received numerous other honors over the years including Dove Awards for the following songs: "He Still Looks Over Me" (1999); "So Fine" (2000); and "I'm Walkin' and Talkin'" (2003).

The Lewis Family likewise received a Dove Award for its 50th anniversary CD in 2003. Moreover, last year, the group garnered a fifth Dove Award, designating its CD, Angels Gathering Flowers, as the "Album of the Year." The title song was written by Tom T. Hall and his wife, Dixie, in memory of Pauline "Mom" Lewis who passed away in 2003.

And just three weeks ago, the Lewis Family earned a sixth Dove Award when One Rose was named the "Album of the Year."

In what was one of the highest points of the group's career, the Lewis Family was inducted into the Gospel Music Association's (GMA) Gospel Music Hall of Fame during a special ceremony held at Trinity Music City in Hendersonville, Tennessee, on February 22, 2005. Membership in this elite club is the

highest honor an individual or group can receive in the field of gospel music.

Appearing with the Lewis Family at the festival will be fiddler and mandolin player Talmadge Lewis and vocalist Earl Phillips.

Also slated to perform at the park during the festival are the Marksmen (Thursday); Wildfire (Thursday); Blueridge (Thursday); Jesse McReynolds & the Virginia Boys (Thursday); Larry Sigmon and Barbara Poole (Friday); the Gary Waldrep Band (Friday); the Inspirations (Friday); Mac Wiseman (Friday); the Larry Stephenson Band (Friday); Counterpoint (Saturday); the Primitive Quartet (Saturday); Bobby Osborne & the Rocky Top Express (Saturday); and the Dillards (Saturday).

A large tent is being provided so the show can go on rain or shine; also, hot food will be available on the premises. Guests are asked to bring lawn chairs.

Showtimes are from 12 noon until 10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from 12 noon until 10:45 p.m. on Saturday. There will be an open stage daily at 11 a.m.

Sound for the festival will be provided by Gene Daniell, with Sherry Boyd serving as the emcee.

Admission is $30 per person Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Three-day adult tickets cost $85 each. A special "after 6 p.m." ticket costs $20 daily.

Children's tickets (ages 6-13) are $15 a day or $40 for all three days. Children under the age of six, accompanied by a parent, will be admitted free of charge.

Visitors to the park are reminded that all Georgia state parks charge a $3 entrance fee.

For more information about the festival, call the park office at 1706-359-3458 or the Lewis Family at 1-706-359-3767.

The festival is coordinated each year by Norman Adams and Tony Anderson.