"LEWIS FAMILY INDUCTED INTO GMA GOSPEL MUSIC HALL OF FAME"

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