'Pops' Lewis dies

Subject: 'Pops' Lewis dies
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 11:58 PM

I've just been informed by pdq

Subject: RE: 'Pops' Lewis dies
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 12:05 AM

Got cut off, mid-sentence... "Pops" Lewis just died. The Lewis Family has been one of the great "Families" of white southern gospel (not the lime-green spandex leisure suit "Southern Gospel" of current classification. I KNOW that pdq knows a lot more about the history of the family than I do, so I'm counting on him and others more knowledgeable than me to add information to this thread. I first became aware of the Lewis Family when someone gave me a six record album set of gospel music released on the old Starday Label. They'd ordered it through the mail and didn't like it, so they gave it to me. It's a great collection with everyone from the Phipps Family, Cowboy Copas and Stringbean on it. Unfortunately there was no information on the albums... just the song titles and artists on the records. The Lewis Family seems to be everywhere on collections, but there aren't a lot of CDs currently available. I picked up 16 Greatest Hits of the Lewis Family on amazon.com recently, and with a little more looking, I imagine there may be other CDs available.

The CD I bought recently is on a cheap label, with absolutely NO background information on the family, or the songs.

Someone want to help me out on this one? pdq, live up to your acronymn and get here pretty damned quick.

Jerry

Subject: RE: 'Pops' Lewis dies
From: Mark Clark
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 12:22 AM

I always enjoyed the Lewis Family at festivals. Their vocal harmonies were so great. I haven't seen them for thirty years or so and the albums I bought back then are all I have. Sorry to hear of Pops' death. I guess now he can join all the great departed bluegrass musicians in that eternal gospal concert.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: 'Pops' Lewis dies
From: kendall
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 07:16 AM

They did a great job alright, but little Roy was more than I could bear. All that frantic jumping around and pushing others out of the way really turned me off. Pop will be missed.

Subject: RE: 'Pops' Lewis dies
From: pdq
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 09:56 AM

Jerry...sorry, but there are people here who know much more about these folks than I do. Thanks for starting this thread.

...the Lewis Family has an excellent web site...

www.thelewisfamilymusic.com/
Link repaired - Mudelf

The passing of Roy "Pop" Lewis should have little effect on the work of the current generation of the family. See web site for future performance dates. "Pop" Lewis was 98.

Subject: RE: 'Pops' Lewis dies
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 10:48 AM

As pdq says Pop Lewis passing will have little effect on the current Lewis family performing group. When I saw them last, maybe 15 years ago, Pop was present on stage but could have just as well not been there. His legacy, at this point, is the founding of the family group which has been a very popular addition to bluegrass and gospel festivals and concerts for several generations. The antics of Little Roy were a bit much for me at times but he was a good musician and a bundle of showmanship that many people have appreciated over the years. I know very little of the current generation, but Travis Lewis and Sherry Easter are two who have achieved some success in contemporary gospel. Sherry and Jeff Easter are probably near the top of current gospel groups and have made their way without turning their backs on their bluegrass and acoustic roots. Pop Lewis' influence on gospel music will felt for years to come through the contributions of his family.

Subject: RE: 'Pops' Lewis dies
From: Gern
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 01:43 PM

"you can stop a clock, but you can't stop time." Pop gave it a good try, though: he was 98. Always loved the Lewis Family. I can see where others might sour on Little Roy, but I always liked him. A great banjo player, a tireless jammer at festivals, a whirlwind of silliness on stages that almost always lack showmanship. The Gospel Stooge? Sure, but he's appreciated. Sorry about Pop.

Subject: RE: 'Pops' Lewis dies
From: GUEST,Mary V.....wisconsin
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 09:12 PM

The Lewis family is on the latest Gaither Bluegrass Gospel c.d.s .
If you are a bluegrass gospel fan, you will really enjoy these c.d.s
Target stores and the Christian Books stores sell them. Sherry Easter is Pops grand daughter. I would love to see the Lewis family. Every year they travel to many of the southern music festivals and travel as far north as Illinois. Well worth seeing and I myself get the biggest charge out of little Roy. I think he just means to be silly and make it comical.
Mary V.

Subject: RE: 'Pops' Lewis dies
From: GUEST,Mary V.
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 09:13 PM

I almost forgot...my deepest sympathy to the Lewis family. They are a wonderful family .