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Miggie
Polly
Janis
Little Roy
Lewis

Very special thanks to the Singing News and Danny Jones for this article about Little Roy which was written by Tim Gardner and appeared in the October 1999 issue of the Singing News.

"Southern Gospel Music has always been made up of many kinds of personalities.  But there's never been anyone to pass through the industry like Little Roy Lewis.  And it's safe to say there never will be.

His comedic antics are a fabric of the industry, and he most likely has no peer as an entertainer.   Little Roy is a true wordsmith, loaded with wit and wisdom.  He is the very heart and soul of the Lewis Family, the premier Bluegrass Gospel Music group of all time.

When you think of the Lewis Family, you tend to think of Little Roy.  The undisputed master of banjo pickin' in this field, and perhaps, in any musical genre, Little Roy is as equally gifted playing a variety of other musical instruments.  In addition to his tremendous musical talent, Little Roy is the epitome of pureness and honesty.  What you see is exactly what you get.

"I love people and I really enjoy talking to them.  But I will never be a braggart, because most people who brag really don't have anything to brag about.  There's not an ounce of fake in my body, and I'm not a hypocrite.  If I were to try to be something I ain't, I'd make a mess out of what I am," said Little Roy in his famous Southern drawl.

As you can tell from the preceding quote, Little Roy possesses a gift for gab.  Just consider some more of his nuggets:

* Of his animated behavior - "Sometimes quiet people worry Little Roy, so I have always let 'er rip."

* Of his celebrity status - "I've never wanted to be a 'Big Shot.'  I'm just Little Roy.   I'm as good as anybody, but no better.  I'm what you might call a 'Little Shot.'

* About one of his favorite singing groups, the Florida Boys - "When I would watch the Florida Boys as a young'un, I would always see Derrell in those red socks.  I thought if he could wear red socks, I could wear red suspenders!"

Nowadays, the Florida Boys, especially Derrell and Les Beasley, often bear the brunt of Little Roy's stage antics when they are booked with the Lewis Family on the same date.  Les says Little Roy is, indeed, one of a kind.

"Little Roy Lewis is in his own world.  He is unique in so many ways," laughs Les.   "But Little Roy is one of the most tenderhearted, loving and caring individuals I've ever known.  He has been a great friend to the Florida Boys."

Little Roy loves talking about the first banjo he ever played.  "It had only four strings, and when Pop first got it, it had a busted catskin head.  Pop sewed it up with a needle and thread.  It may have looked ugly to some folks, but it was beautiful to me," Little Roy said.  "It's now displayed in the Southern Gospel Music Association's Hall of Fame and Museum.  It thrilled me like you wouldn't believe when they called and said they wanted it.  I've got dozens of banjos here in the house now, but I don't know if any of them are as special to me as that first one."

Little Roy has taken home enough awards to fill any trophy case, but when it's all said and done, it's making people have a good time that Little Roy values the most. 

"You can be entertained and ministered to at the same time," Little Roy explains.   "We're not preachers, but there are as effective messages in Gospel songs as there are in any preacher's sermons.  We always try to be jolly on the stage, because Christians should be the happiest people in the world.  I love to make people happy.   Too many folks think you have to be funeral-like serious to praise the Lord.   But I believe you should laugh and smile, too, because being a Christian is a fun thing.

"If Little Roy and the Lewis Family can do something to make somebody's day brighter or make someone realize the great importance of knowing the Good Lord, then our time in Gospel Music is well worth it."

Suffice to say, his is a philosophy which should be an infectious one!"