This is now the OFFICIAL website of The New Christy Minstrels®  Under the Direction of Randy Sparks! There's only one such group in the whole world, and you've reached the one and only place we are now OFFICIALLY located in the cyber-world of the Internet. Photography by Sherry Rayn Barnett   PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE LISTED AT END OF SITE (or click here)   Randy Sparks, Founder of The New Christy Minstrels®    randy@thenewchristyminstrels.com  MESSAGES FROM RANDY   ***************************** Jackie Miller Davidson jackie@thenewchristyminstrels.com   Clarence Treat clarence@thenewchristyminstrels.com   Dolan Ellis dellis@dolanellis.net DolanEllis.com    Art Podell art@thenewchristyminstrels.com   Becky Jo Benson beckyjo@thenewchristyminstrels.com BECKY JO AND CHARLIE   Bill Boycott bill@thenewchristyminstrels.com BuffaloBillBoycott.com   Chuck Cole, when available chuck@thenewchristyminstrels.com   Photo by Jeff Jacobs  RS & THE NCM R&D Department When Dolan Ellis "retired" to become  Arizona's Official Balladeer, RS & his Minstrels were left flatfooted with no replacement member up-to-speed not even one in mind.  They knew they had a problem.   Recruiting began immediately.  Randy brought Gene Clark from Kansas City, then somebody suggested Doug Brookins.  Trial by fire was hardly an acceptable way to replace the irreplaceable Dolan Ellis, so Randy created Ledbetter's, a rehearsal hall with an audience on Westwood Blvd. near UCLA in West Los Angeles.  MANY MORE DISCOVERIES WERE MADE HERE:   SUCH AS: ****************************** WALK Of FAME!   A tax deductible contribution has been made to the NEW CHRISTY MINSTRELS' Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Expense Account by each of the following couples, groups, companies, individuals, etc.  Burl & Dorothy Ives Randy & Diane Sparks Becky Jo & Vecca  Benson Allan & Barbara Evans Jeff & Cheryl Jacobs Barry & Mari McGuire Chuck & Kathy Cole DTE Energy, Detroit Power New Christy Publishing Co. Cherrybell Music Pub. Co. JOHN S. SUCH JOE AND DEBBY VAN HOOK JANET AND DAVID WALSH HAL WEINER GORDON ADAMS JEFF SAFRAN BRIAN EBALO JUDY C. BASS DONATIONS FOR THE STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME FROM OUR WONDERFUL FRIENDS IN KANSAS!                IF YOU'D LIKE TO  MAKE A TAX     DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION , CLICK ON        THE DONATE BUTTON.   ******************************                Chat Room                       ****************************** Let us introduce you to the principal booking agent  for the New Christy Minstrels,......   ************************************** Discography: 1961 thru 1977  ************************************************ FAN MAIL   To Randy and all the New Christy Minstrels,   What a show you and your wonderful group put on for us Quartzsite snowbirds!  It was a thrill to see and hear you perform some of that wonderful music that I loved way back then and still  do now.   I was truly a folk-music fan back in the 60's-70's,  moved more toward country western ("old country") after we started coming to Quartzsite and I learned to play guitar and got brave enough to sing at the jams, but folk is still my favorite, and the songs I love best to sing are ones like Sloop John B., Roseville Fair (as a duet with my husband) Banks of the Ohio, This Land is Your Land, etc.  (In fact, my "signature song" is another Woody Guthrie number, "Roll on Columbia" and I get more requests for it than any other song I do. It's one of the songs I sing on a CD we made a couple years ago.)   Awhile back my daughter (now 46 years old) e-mailed me with an exciting revelation: she'd just realized the Hi Jolly song was about Quartzsite!   She and one of her good friends sang it long and loud during their school years (Marshfield High School in Coos Bay, Oregon, Class of '79) when they'd go on bus trips for debate tournaments or for out-of-town sports events.   I think we had two LP records of your group.   Lord knows what ever happened to them through several moves between then and now.   I remember some of the titles, like Railroad Bill, In the Pines, Goodbye Suzanne Don't Cry Suzanne, and of course the Hi Jolly song.    Do you have some of these and/or your other oldies on any CD's thatwould be available now?    I bought your "Recycled" CD at the Quartzsite show, and LOVE it----so far haven't been able to get Green, Green out of my mind and find myself humming it all day long.  But--I would really like to re-learn the Hi Jolly song as well as some of the others among my old favorites from those by-gone years if you have other CD's for sale.     Seeing your great show was the highlight of this winter season.   Thank you all for making our little town of Quartzsite a stop on your tour this winter.   We know it's sort of strange and funky ("normal" people probably would not choose this place for their winter home!) but we do love our music and that's the reason we're here in the first place!   Sincerely,    Lois Hall Response:  (Yes Lois, if you'll go to THE STORE on this site, you'll see the CD's that we have for sale). ****************************** I just received the new CD and positively love it. Your music is still good and relevant as it was 40 years ago.  Thanks for keeping it alive. Judy C. Bass   Photo courtesy of Don Benson, House of Photographic Arts,  916-487-1005

REGISTER WITH US: Would you like to be on our mailing list? register with us at barb@barbevans.com Just put "register" in the subject line AND INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS  and we'll add you to our list **********************************************   Why The New Christy Minstrels? It has been more than 40 years since a group of young men and women made their national television debut on THE ANDY WILLIAMS SHOW in the fall of 1962. That group, THE NEW CHRISTY MINSTRELS, would go on to win a Grammy for their debut recording, "Presenting The New Christy Minstrels". They are still singing and delighting their fans, old and new. Original members who still appear with the group include Randy Sparks, Clarence Treat, Jackie Miller Davidson, Dolan Ellis, and Art Podell.  Special new members are Becky Jo Benson, Bill Boycott., and  when available, Chuck Cole. Randy Sparks continues to write the music and direct the group.  Clarence Treat has taken on the responsibility of vocal arrangements, and we are thankful that he is a nit-picker. Jason Barney is our hero in the recording studio! *************************************** Photo taken on Voyager of the Sea 4/19/2008 MESSAGE FROM RANDY               AVAILABLE  NOW!!   High Plains Public Radio Review Click above link to read the full review.   Sometimes old school is just that- old! Yet the New Christy Minstrels have a newCD that is anything but moth-ridden. by Mary Palmer Click above link to read the full review. Greatest Hits CD. Contains: Denver This Land is Your Land Ramblin' Today Follow the Drinkin' Gourd  Saturday Night Green Green My Mind Set on Freedom Just Americans Julianne Eve of Destruction Mighty Misissippi Last Farewell     ******************** Visit: THE STORE   Now Available: New Country Minstrels Converted to CD   RANDY SPARKS AND THE BACK PORCH MAJORITY CD includes: Ain't That Happy Payin' Your Dues Again Something That Nobody Wants You Make It Look So Easy One Good Song Sad Songs And Love Songs Now And Then Mack The Truck Back In "Bakersfield Again Let It Shine (Let The Love Shine) Silver threads And Golden Needles    $20.00 INCLUDING POSTAGE IN THE U.S. ********************* FAN MAIL Dear Randy,   I was just listening to my husband's recordings and one of them was Today. I love Robert's rendition and phrasing. What a beautiful song! I want to thank you for writing it.   All the best to you and your family. Vera Goulet ******************************** Discography: 1961 thru 1977    *********************************** Calling All Minstrels NOTICE WE'RE LOOKING FOR ALL THE FORMER MEMBERS OF THE NEW CHRISTY MINSTRELS.  IF YOU WERE A MEMBER, PLEASE CONTACT US SO WE CAN PUT YOU ON THE LIST.  . THANK YOU gadams1970@hotmail.com ***********************************    you will likely remember many   of  their most famous songs; THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND TODAY DENVER MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI DRINKIN' GOURD  PREACHER AND THE BEAR GREEN GREEN RAMBLIN' HI JOLLY JULIANNE LAST FAREWELL JUST AMERICANS SATURDAY NIGHT   and many more !!!  "CHRISTMAS MUSIC -- OLD AND NEW"  IT'LL BE A MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE STAR CHRISTMAS WISHES GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN THE SHEPHERD BOY OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CITY   EBENEZER SCROOGE FLOR de la NOCHE BUENA NO ROOM AT THE INN DEAR FRIENDS AND GENTLE HEARTS DADDY, DOES SANTA RIDE A HARLEY?  SING HOSANNA HALLELUJAH      ***************************************                                 FAN MAIL Thank you all as your performance aboard the Voyager was the highlight of our cruise.  My husband and I happened to be in one of the lounges where you were having a jam session early on in the cruise and instantly became groupies, fans, and self appointed p.r's to our friend and other passengers.  The music and comraderie of  your group and most of all the wit of Randy Sparks was so entertaining we had to find out about the performance aboard ship.  Royal Caribbean missed out by not publishing you in the daily bulletin, but we were grateful for the smaller room performance rather than a large auditorium.  Thank you all for the great entertainment.  We will follow your web site for future performances.  Judy Strawn,    Seabrook TX *************************************

Taken on The New Christy Minstrels Cruise! Under the direction of Randy Sparks.    4/20/2008

Al Gerhardt. ALG Unique Photography 713-410-6542

"This map is intended to be representative of the performances scheduled as of the 5th of April, 2008.  They do not necessarily indicate a particular location in each state. The color of the dot will change to blue as the performances are completed. "

 

-------2008------- FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2008 The Maumee Indoor Theater 6601 Conant Street Maumee, Ohio 43537 Concert 2:00 P.M. & Concert 7:00 P.M. Reserved Seating: $20.00 and $25.00 Presented by Eddie Boggs Productions and Mary’s Enterprises For tickets and information call (419) 824-3999   MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2008 Chautauqua Amphitheater Chautauqua Institution Bowman Street and Roberts Avenue Chautauqua, New York 14722 Concert 8:15 P.M. For tickets and information: http://www.ciweb.org/   FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2008 Calumet Theatre 340 Sixth Street ● P.O. Box 167 Calumet, Michigan 49913 Concert 7:30 P.M. For tickets and information: http://www.calumettheatre.com/events.htm   SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2008 Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua Ski Hill Road (Mt. Ashwabay) Bayfield, Wisconsin 54814 Concert 8:15 P.M. For tickets and information: http://www.bigtop.org/index.php   SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2008 SPARKS IN THE PARK Randy Sparks with Becky Jo Benson, Jenny Lind Smith, & Chuck Cole For the Micke Grove Zoo Benefit Micke Grove, California Dinner and Concert details to follow. Tickets and information to follow.   SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008 SPARKS IN THE PARK Randy Sparks with Becky Jo Benson, Jenny Lind Smith, & Chuck Cole Angels Camp, California Dinner and Concert details to follow. Tickets and information to follow.   THURSDAY, FRIDAY, & SATURDAY AUGUST 28, 29, & 30, 2008 Mountain Annie’s Dinner theater Located in the heart of mid-town Ruidoso! 2710 Sudderth, Ruidoso, New Mexico 88345 Doors open 6:00 P.M., Dinner 7:00 P.M., Concert 8:00 P.M. For Reservations: 505-257-7982 For dinner/concert tickets and information: http://www.mountainannies.com/       SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2008 McKinney Performing Arts Center 111 North Tennessee Street McKinney, Texas Concert 7:30 P.M. McKinney Concert Association Attendance by season membership only. Six (6) concerts in the concert season for $95.00 Tickets and information: http://www.mckinneyconcerts.org/   FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 McMorran Place Sports and Entertainment Center 701 McMorran Boulevard Port Huron, Michigan 48060 Concert 8:00 P.M. Tickets and information: http://www.mcmorran.com   SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2008 Kirtland Community College Gilbert I. Stewart Auditorium 10775 North Saint Helen Road Roscommon, Michigan 48653 Concert 7:00 P.M. Tickets and information on the September 2008 through June 2009 concert season: http://kirtland.edu/kcpa/default.asp   SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2008 Marion Palace Theatre 276 West Center Street Marion, Ohio 43302 Concert 8:00 P.M. Tickets and information: marionpalace.org       SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2008 City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium 401 South College Street Morganton, North Carolina 28655 Concert 8:15 P.M. Tickets and information soon to be listed in the Events section of City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium web site: http://www.commaonline.org/index.htm   WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 Newberry Opera House 1201 McKibben Street Newberry, South Carolina 29108 Concert 8:00 P.M. Tickets and information: http://www.newberryoperahouse.com/   THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2008 Odell Williamson Auditorium Brunswick Community College 50 College Road, NW Supply, North Carolina 28462 Concert 7:30 P.M. Tickets and information: http://www.bccowa.com/geninfo.html   FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2008 Turnage Theater 150 West Main Street Washington, North Carolina 27889 Concert 8:00 P.M. Tickets and information: http://turnagetheater.com/index.php     SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2008 Stanly County Agri-Civic Center 26032-B Newt Road Albemarle, North Carolina 28001 Concert 7:30 P.M. Maps and directions: http://stanlyciviccenter.com/map.htm Tickets and information: http://stanlyciviccenter.com/index.htm   SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2008 Sellersville Theater 1894 24 West Temple Avenue Sellersville, Pennsylvania 18960 Concert 7:30 P.M. Directions: Click Here Tickets and information: http://www.st94.com/index.html

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2008 Irvington Town Hall theater 85 Main Street Irvington, New York 10533 Concert 8:00 P.M. Tickets and information: www.westcoproductions.org

THURSDAY, & FRIDAY OCTOBER 16, & 17, 2008 Cox Performing Arts Center Dixie State College 325 South 700 East St. George, Utah 84770 Concert 7:30 P.M. All concert seats are reserved. Tickets, reservations, and information shall be posted for the Celebrity Concert Series 2008-2009 Season. Tickets and information: http://www.dixie.edu/concerts/

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2008 Folsom Community Center 52 Natoma Street Folsom, California 95630 Concert 7:30 P.M. Tickets and information: http://www.flcca.org/ NewChristyMinstrels.shtml

‘Whistle Stop’ Tour TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2008 Kalispell, Montana WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2008 Missoula, Montana THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2008 (To be announced) Shelby, Montana FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2008 Stone Child School, Montana SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2008 Great Falls, Montana SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 Helena, Montana MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2008 Travel Amtrak TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2008 Minot, North Dakota Tickets and venue information to follow.

FRIDAY, & SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21, & 22, 2008 Center for Arts & Performance 8815 West Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226 Concert 8:00 P.M. Wisconsin Lutheran College Guest Artist Series 2008-2009 Tickets and information: http://www.wlc.edu/arts/index.aspx?id=701

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