NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Hugh X. Lewis has been an advocate for Christian country music for most of his 50-plus years in the entertainment business.
Now, he’s official.
The Tennessee Senate and House of Representatives passed a resolution earlier this year designating Lewis as the state’s poet laureate of Christian country music. He is the first person to hold the designation.
While humbled by the honor, Lewis is more excited about the platform the designation provides.
“I can sing and share my Christian message all over the world,” he said.
The Kentucky native is no stranger to success or recognition.
Legends such as Charlie Pride, Del Reeves, Kitty Wells, Lynn Anderson and Jim Ed Brown have recorded some of Lewis’ 250-plus country songs.
He penned the words to Stonewall Jackson’s “B.J. the D.J.” which soared to number one on country charts in 1963.
Lewis has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, had his own syndicated television show which aired in more than 90 markets nationwide, made three movies with country music great Del Reeves, and recorded numerous albums of his own.
Yet in recent years it is his love for sharing the message of Jesus through his songs and poems that has brought the greatest satisfaction.
Lewis provides the “Thought of the Day” which is aired on the “Gregg Hutchins Morning Show” daily on about 110 Southern Gospel stations across the country through the Solid Gospel Radio Network.
“I try to put Christian connotations in everything I write,” said Lewis, a member of the Nashville-area Tulip Grove Baptist Church in Old Hickory, Tenn.
Lewis retired from the country music business in 1984. “Traditional country music as I had known it was fading away,” Lewis said. “It was the saddest situation I had ever been involved with.”
Over the years Lewis had written a great deal of poetry in addition to his songs, so with the help of his wife, Ann, and daughter, Saundra Taylor, the Lewis clan began a craft business making fabric picture frames for his poems.
He developed the concepts of writing a poem in the shape of a state and eventually did 10 southern states, all written with Christian connotations, he said. He also has written poems for fans of college athletic teams; different professions such as teachers and nurses; and numerous other categories. His poem, “The Preacher” is read often during funerals of pastors.
In all, Lewis has written more than 250 frameable greeting card poems.
Though successful in his new endeavor, he sorely missed the music field and entertainment.
Lewis began to focus more on Christian country music which he feels is “more encompassing.” Christian country music includes songs such as “Wings of a Dove,” “Peace in the Valley,” “One Day at a Time” and “It Is No Secret.” All of these songs as well as many others achieved success on country music charts.
Lewis’ interest in pursuing Christian country music actually was sparked while attending his last “Fanfare” (a longtime country music event in Nashville which drew fans from around the world) in 1984. Lewis had recorded one Christian country music album during his career and he met a woman from England who shared with him how that album was such a blessing in her life.
Her comments served as a reminder to Lewis of the passion people have for the classic Christian country songs and that it is not confined to one geographical region of the world.
One would think that Christian country music would have a stronghold in the South, but the opposite is true, Lewis said.
Christian country music is actually much stronger in the north, while Southern Gospel music is more popular in the South, he said.
Upon returning to the music industry in 1998, Lewis began putting music to many of his poems. He approached Southern Gospel stations and began to get “his foot in the door.” His songs, along with other Christian country artists, now receive much better play on Southern Gospel stations, which traditionally preferred music by quartets or groups.
Lewis credits the reason for the increased exposure to the fact the songs “have a message” that people want to hear.
Though 75 years old and battling macular degeneration, Lewis has no plans to slow down. He still travels and performs his music in a variety of settings, including churches.
Lewis, who accepted Christ at the age of 17, acknowledged he made “many mistakes” during his younger years, but believes God “has a reason for my longevity.”
As to how and why he received the recent honor from Tennessee legislators, Lewis just laughs and notes, “God works in mysterious ways.” Regardless of the reason, however, Lewis pledges to use his new position “to the utmost.”
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Lonnie Wilkey is editor of the Baptist & Reflector, newsjournal of the Tennessee Baptist Conveniton. More information about Hugh X. Lewis can be obtained by calling 615-883-0086.
