By Bob Bilyeu

 

One of the best things about being the host of  “The Old Country Church” has been the opportunity to meet wonderful, interesting people.  It would be hard to find a group more interesting than the great Lewis family.  My first contact with the Lewis Family came in the early 1990’s when we were filming a show in Spring Valley, Arkansas.  We were able to get them on our show because they were coming to Springdale, Arkansas to do the annual Albert E. Brumley sing.

 

The first member of the Lewis family I met was Pop.  Some memories are etched in our minds and this first meeting with Pop was no exception.  Stan Hitchcock who knows everybody in the music industry introduced us.  We were standing outside the Rodeo Arena in Springdale.  Inside the great gospel group, The Greenes, were singing with their usual beautiful sound.  When Stan introduced us, Pop didn’t even say “hello.”  Instead, he said, “I’ve got a story fer ye,” and quite a story it was.  I knew immediately the next day at the old church would be an adventure.

 

When the Lewis Family arrived, it was in a beautiful big bus.  Everybody got out except Mrs. Lewis who was not feeling well. Soon they were inside doing the bluegrass gospel songs they do so well.  I had heard about how energetic and funny Little Roy was, but I was blown away by his musicianship.  Polly, Miggie, Janis, Little Roy, and Pop were the epitome of professionalism and yet so real and so genuine they made me feel like I had known them all my life.  When Pop sang “Over Yonder By the Sea,” I felt like I was in the presence of a true pioneer of gospel and bluegrass music.  What a legacy he left us.

 

As they drove away in their big shiny bus that day, I remembered my very first contact with the Lewis Family.  I had talked with Polly on the telephone. It was like talking to a long lost friend.  We took care of the business of setting up the television shoot, but we talked about everything else—the weather, the health of our families, common acquaintances.  I think it would be fair to say we had a long, interesting, fun first conversation, but just as we were about to hang up, Polly said, “Wait a minute! Wait a minute!  I’ve got something to tell you.”

 

“What’s that,” I asked.

 

“Well,” she said, “I didn’t want Conway to die, but praise the Lord, we got his bus.”

 

And a fine bus it was.

 

 

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