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Lewis Family Bluegrass Festival starts today in Lincolnton
Leading the impressive line-up of talent are Jimmie C. Newman & Cajun Country (Saturday), stars of the Grand Ole Opry; Mac Wiseman, known throughout the world as "The Voice with a Heart" (Friday); the Cherryholmes Family (Saturday); and of course, members of Lincoln County's own Lewis Family, hosts of the event (two shows daily). In 1956, Jimmy C. Newman made history as the first Cajun country singer to join the Grand Ole Opry where he continues to perform on a regular basis. Born and reared near the community of Big Mamou, Louisiana, Newman is deeply rooted in the pulsating and delightful Cajun accordion and fiddle-driven music that has been prolific in the Louisiana bayou country for many years. He is 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 Darling," "Daydreamin'," "A Fallen Star," "Blue Darlin'," "Back Pocket Money," "Jole Blon," "Big Mamou," and "Louisiana Man." In 1991, Newman and his band won a Grammy for their album Alligator Man; in 1992, the Cajun singer was recognized by the Cajun- French Music Association of South Louisiana for helping promote Cajun music around the world. Mac Wiseman has been in the music business for more than 50 years, recording over 50 albums to date. His albums include 1971's Lester 'n' Mac with duet partner Lester Flatt, the first bluegrass album to make "Billboard Magazine's" Top 100, and the 1992 Grammy-nominated Grassroots to Bluegrass. Some of Wiseman's classic singles are "Can't You Hear Me Calling," with Bill Monroe; "Jimmie Brown, the Newsboy;" and "'Tis Sweet to be Remembered." In recognition of his many contributions to bluegrass music, the singer was inducted into the SPBGMA's (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Gospel Music of America) Preservation Hall of Greats in 1987 and the IBMA's (International Bluegrass Music Association) Hall of Honor in 1993. He has performed at such venues as Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, the Baird Auditorium at the Smithsonian Institute, the Kennedy Center, Madison Square Garden, the Grand Ole Opry, and Wembley Arena in London, England. In addition, Wiseman is a founding member of the CMA (Country Music Association), serving as the organization's first secretary. 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. In 2005, the family was named "Entertainer of the Year" by the IBMA and the "Entertaining Group of the Year" by the SPBGMA. Cia Leigh was also selected as the SPBGMA's "Banjo Player of the Year." Hitting its stride in 2003, the Cherryholmes Family has appeared on countless radio and television shows and at festivals and concert venues throughout the United States. These include Branson, Missouri; 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, down-home 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, titled Flyin' High, features songs such as "What Greater Prize," "The Key to Heaven Was Hung on a Nail," "Those Good Old Country Sundays," and "Fight the Good Fight." In 2005, the group released One Rose, a CD recorded in memory of Roy "Pop" Lewis, Sr., the patriarch of the gifted 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 Life Achievement Award." In 1992, Pop and his famous offspring were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. The family has received numerous other honors over the years including GMA (Gospel Music Association) 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 was likewise presented with a Dove Award for its 50th anniversary CD in 2003. Moreover, in 2005, the group garnered a fifth Dove Award, designating its CD, Angels Gathering Flowers, as the "Album of the Year." The title was song was written by Tom T. Hall and his wife, Dixie, in memory of Pauline "Mom" Lewis, who passed away February 8, 2003. The Lewis Family earned a sixth Dove Award last year 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 GMA's Gospel Music Hall of Fame during a special ceremony held at Trinity Music City in Hendersonville, Tennessee, in February of 2005. Membership in this elite club is the highest honor an individual or group can receive in the field of gospel music. Furthermore, in September of 2006, the family was inducted into the IBMA Hall of Honor. Most recently, the Lewis Family captured two more Dove Awards, one designating "My Cross" from the Flyin' High CD as the "Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year" and the other naming Flyin' High as the "Bluegrass Album of the Year." The 38th annual Dove Awards ceremony was held Wednesday, April 25, at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee. Also slated to join the Lewis Family on stage during the festival are New Found Road (Thursday); The James King Band (Thursday); Honi Deaton & Dream (Thursday); Lizzie and Little Roy (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday); The Bluegrass Brothers (Thursday); Lonesome Will Mullins and the Virginia Playboys (Thursday); The Carolina Road Band (Friday); The Gary Waldrep Band (Friday); The Chuck Wagon Gang (Friday); Grasstowne (Friday); Heaven's Echoes (Saturday); Leroy Troy (Saturday); and Karl Shiflett & the Big Country Show (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. Show times are from 12 noon until 10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from 12 noon until 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. There will be an open stage daily at 11 a.m. Sound for the festival is being provided by Gene Daniell, with Sherry Boyd of Mt. Airy, North Carolina, 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. Children's tickets (ages 6-13) are $15 a day or $40 for all three days; whereas, 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 parks charge a $3 entrance fee. For more information about the festival, call the park office at 706- 359-3458 or the Lewis Family at 706-359-3767.
The festival is organized and promoted each year by Anderson and Adams, LLC.
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