Highway in Lincolnton, GA Named After James Roy ‘Pop’ Lewis

By Joy Howe
WJBF News Channel 6 Aiken County Reporter
Published: September 23, 2008

Lincolnton, GA—James Roy ‘Pop’ Lewis is remembered across America as a gospel singer, a bluegrass legend, and a quick-witted man, no matter what age. But, people in Lincolnton, Georgia, remember ‘Pop’ Lewis as one of their own.

Dr. Edward McCurry, family friend: “The naming of this highway honors a man that lived most of his life on that highway, from the house he moved in at age 5, to the house he lived in at age 98.”

‘Little Roy’ Lewis, ‘Pop’s’ son: “It just makes us feel real good that when people drive into Lincolnton, they will see that sign and remember ‘Pop’ Lewis and the Lewis Family, by it, and after we’re gone, I hope it will be here a long time.”

‘Pop’ started ‘The Lewis Family’, regarded by many as the first family of bluegrass gospel...and they still hold the record for the longest-running bluegrass-gospel music show in America, airing for 38 years on WJBF-TV News Channel 6.

Sheri Easter, ‘Pop’s’ granddaughter: “I’m very grateful for that heritage, and very grateful for the man that ‘Pop’ was. This is an exciting day for me, and I’m very honored to be able to share in the celebration of his legacy.”

Ninety-eight years of life...from his induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame to performing at the Lincoln Center, in New York, and the Grand ‘Ole Opry, in Nashville, at the end of the day, ‘Pop’ Lewis always looked forward to getting on the road, and going home.

Now the road he called home in Lincolnton, will be called his.

The rest of the Lewis Family continues their singing tradition, and you can see them perform as part of the Westobou Festival at the Imperial Theatre, Thursday night, at 7:30 p.m.