The days are numbered for The Lewis Family bluegrass-gospel group, of Lincolnton, Ga., but several family members are splitting off to form new musical acts.

The Lewis Family's last show will be Sept. 13 in West Virginia, performing for a large family reunion. The group announced its end this year, citing the health problems of lead vocalist Polly Copsey after the deaths of Roy "Pop" Lewis and his son, Wallace Lewis.

Little Roy Lewis, the lead vocalist and the banjo-playing comedian of the group, has joined banjo-fiddle player and vocalist Lizzy Long, formerly of Lincolnton, Ga., to form The Little Roy and Lizzy Show. See them together on youtube.com.

They have added Georgia bluegrass musicians Doug Flowers, of Hephzibah; Ricky Rakestraw of Hiram, Ga.; and Lizzy's twin, Rebekah.

"Little Roy and I have been doing really well so far," Ms. Long said. "The crowds seem to love us, and we are getting booked up pretty solid through next year."

The Little Roy and Lizzy Show is booked for: Sept. 11-12 at Rudy's Bluegrass Festival, Anderson, S.C.; Sept. 26, Everett's Music Barn, Suwanee, Ga.; Sept. 29, Madison County Fair, Comer, Ga.; Oct. 15, Mossy Oak Bluegrass Festival, Guyton, Ga.; Nov. 17, Elbert Theatre, fifth annual Downtown Bluegrass Festival, Elberton, Ga.; and Nov. 28, South Carolina State Bluegrass Festival, Myrtle Beach.

Ms. Long and Mr. Lewis have recorded several CDs separate from The Lewis Family, the latest being a great collection of songs called Breaking Like Dawn . Country singer Ty Herndon sings a duet with Ms. Long on the cut When We Fly .

Ms. Long co-wrote five of the CD's 11 songs.

The Lewis Family's lead vocalist, Janis Phillips, and her son Lewis Phillips, the guitar/banjo player and featured vocalist for the group, are uniting with former Lewis Family bass player Travis Lewis and another musician. Their first engagement is Dec. 10 at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

"We plan to only book about two or three dates a week," Mr. Phillips said. "I'm 37 years old, and I've been on the road with The Lewis Family for 33 of them. I promised my wife that I would cut back and spent more time with her and our daughter, Brooke."

COBBTOWN BENEFIT: Rhett Akins will perform at a concert to be held from noon to midnight Saturday at 4433 Henry Moxley Road in Cobbtown, Ga., near Metter. Tickets cost $15 for ages 6 and older. Proceeds go to a trust fund for Dalton Palmer, 8, and his brother, Derek, 11, whose 29-year-old mother, Felisha Powell Palmer, died May 4. Her husband, Patrick Palmer, is awaiting trial for her death. Call Tammy Wells at (912) 687-5881.

PERFORMING FOR CHARITIES: Many talented entertainers in this area, much to their credit, perform for fund-raising charity events. Please make sure the sponsoring organization uses the term "proceeds go to" in their advertising and other promotion about you if you are getting paid. Otherwise the public will believe you are donating your time and talents for free which is not the case.

Don Rhodes has written about country music for 38 years. He can be reached at (706) 823-3214 or at don.rhodes@morris.com.