The 13th annual Little Roy & Lizzy Music Festival, located at the Lewis Family home place in Lincolnton, GA, is in full swing. Day one of the three-day event featured hosts, Little Roy & Lizzy, along with The Grascals, The Kody Norris Show, The Country Gentlemen Show, and T Graham Brown.
MC Sherry Boyd introduced the host band as, “The legendary 84-year-old Little Roy and the Queen of the South, Lizzy!”
A large crowd of more than 500 gathered under the huge tent next to the house where Little Roy was raised, along with his seven siblings. His 96 year-old brother, Esley, was in attendance ,and even came on stage to sing I Saw the Light with Little Roy during their evening show.
Sound for the festival is provided by Jackson Bethune Music LLC. In addition to audio, Jackson, a multi-instrumentalist, joined Little Roy & Lizzy playing guitar, banjo, and pedal steel.
Lizzy shared of Jackson, “I’ve watched him grow up. He was seven years old the first time he came around, and now he’s just got married.”
Young talent was on full display. Filling in on mandolin with the Country Gentlemen Show was 16-year-old Elijah Smith, from Mt. Airy, NC. 14-year-old Hayden “Jim” Hensley, newest member of the Kody Norris Show, was hammering the banjo and frequently singing during their portion.
During Norris’ afternoon set they performed a tribute to America 250. Decked out in red, white, and blue with the crowd waving flags, the band featured patriotic-themed numbers that are part of their next album.
Little Roy introduced The Grascals, paying particular attention to their award-winning banjo player, Kristin Scott Benson.
“The Lewis Family was singing at the Hallelujah Supper Club in North Carolina, and this little girl was sitting right up there watching on the front row [pointing to Kristin, then turning to the band] If they were little I’d call them Rascals, but they’re The Grascals!”
The first day concluded with a long set by country music legend, T Graham Brown. The festival continues today (Friday) with Rhonda VIncent, Cutter & Cash, Headin’ Home, and Gene Watson. Saturday’s show features Junior Sisk, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, Hillbilly Biscuits, and The Malpass Brothers. Little Roy & Lizzy will perform daily.
Each day there is a 50/50 raffle, and Saturday night there will be a drawing for a fiddle made by Lizzy.
The Lewis Family home place is located at 1935 Lewis Family Road in Lincolnton, GA.
For tickets, call 706-401-9228 or purchase at the gate.
