The New Christy Minstrels

The New Christy Minstrels are an American large-ensemble folk music group founded by Randy Sparks in 1961. The group has recorded more than 20 albums and scored several hits, including " Green, Green", "Saturday Night", "Today", "Denver", and "This Land Is Your Land". The group's 1962 debut album, '' Presenting The New Christy Minstrels'', won a Grammy Award and was on the ''Billboard'' charts for two years.

The group sold millions of records, was in demand at concerts and on television shows, and helped launch the musical careers of several musicians, including Kenny Rogers, Gene Clark, Kim Carnes, Larry Ramos, and Barry McGuire.

Founding

Sparks had been a solo performer, mixing folk music with pop standards and playing club dates on the West Coast and in Manhattan. Twice winner of the All-Navy Talent competition, he landed high-profile television appearances and a recording contract with Verve Records. In 1960, at the suggestion of Verve founder Norman Granz, he formed The Randy Sparks Three with his wife, Jackie Miller, and singer/arranger Nick Woods. But he wanted a larger group. Folk music was popular and choral groups like the Norman Luboff Choir were incorporating folk classics in their repertoires. Sparks felt that these groups sang too perfectly, lacking the rustic character of folk performance. Throughout 1961 and 1962, he created a 14-voice ensemble, The New Christy Minstrels, by combining his trio with the Oregon quartet The Fairmount Singers, The Inn Group (singers John Forsha, Karol Dugan and Jerry Yester), banjo player Billy Cudmore, folk-blues singer Terry Wadsworth, folk singer Dolan Ellis and singer/guitarist Art Podell. Large commercial folk groups did not exist then, and The New Christy Minstrels delivered a robust new sound. Sparks named his group after Christy's Minstrels, a blackface group formed by Philadelphia-born showman Edwin Pearce Christy in 1842 and known for introducing Stephen Foster's compositions. Sparks also saw his group as a means of attracting attention to his own original songs and adaptations of folk classics.

1962-1964

The group was meant to be a recording act only, and several members joined with the assumption that their commitment would be for occasional studio work. In April 1962 the group, reduced to 10 members after the departure of the Fairmount Singers, recorded their debut album, '' Presenting The New Christy Minstrels'' (aka ''Exciting New Folk Chorus''), for Columbia Records. In 1963, the album won a Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Chorus and sat on the ''Billboard'' 200 charts for two years, peaking at number 19. The album included Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land", which entered the pop singles charts in December 1962.

Prior to the album's release, Irving Townsend, head of Columbia Records West Coast A&R, demanded that Sparks turn the group into a legitimate performing ensemble that could make live appearances to promote their releases; otherwise, he would not release the album. Also at Townsend's request, Sparks hired business managers George Greif and Sid Garris (Greif-Garris Management) to help his large, unproven group get bookings. Some of band's members had no interest in committing full-time to what they saw as a high-risk project; others had obligations elsewhere. Yester, Dugan, Forsha, Wadsworth and Cudmore all quit after the recording sessions. Sparks had lost half his roster when the group was booked as regulars on ''The Andy Williams Show'', a weekly variety show set to debut in the fall of 1962. Among the new members quickly found were the folk duo Barry & Barry (folksingers Barry McGuire and Barry Kane), vocalist Peggy Connelly, singer/banjoist Larry Ramos, and tenor Clarence Treat (upright bass and mandolin). The new lineup broke in their act at The Troubadour in Los Angeles in July–August 1962, which included a mix of folk Americana, vaudevillian humor and solos, duos and trios. They were a smash success and garnered rave reviews from both ''The Hollywood Reporter'' and ''Variety''.

When the Williams Show debuted in October, The New Christy Minstrels became one of its most popular features. Connelly was replaced by vocalist Gayle Caldwell. In early December, they appeared at The Cocoanut Grove with comedian George Gobel, then at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl with singer/comedian Allan Sherman; Sherman released the latter performance on the album ''My Son, the Celebrity'' in 1963.

The group's second album, ''The New Christy Minstrels in Person'', was released in February 1963. In January 1963, the group recorded ''The New Christy Minstrels Tell Tall Tales! (Legends and Nonsense)'', which was released that May. The group's fame had grown considerably, and they received "a raft of enthusiastic reviews". In April 1963, following a successful appearance at the Latin Quarter in New York, the group recorded another studio album, ''Ramblin. This album included the song "Green, Green", a McGuire/Sparks composition that became the group's first hit single, peaking at number three on the Adult Contemporary Charts. "Green, Green" sold over one million copies in 1963, and was awarded a gold disc.

In May 1963, Sparks stopped touring to focus on developing material and opening a night club in Los Angeles called Ledbetter's which he intended to use as a training ground for future minstrels. By the end of the year he had formed The Back Porch Majority, which was positioned as the 'Farm team' for the New Christy Minstrels. He passed the role of front man on the concert trail to Barry McGuire; shortly thereafter, Dolan Ellis left and was replaced by Gene Clark. Although a talented singer, Clark was inhibited by the cocky confidence of his bandmates; he quit in 1964 and joined Jim McGuinn and David Crosby in The Jet Set, and later The Byrds. Clark was replaced by Paul Potash, formerly of the folk duo Art and Paul. At the same time, the group's two female singers (Jackie Miller and Gayle Caldwell) left, They were replaced by Karen Gunderson, formerly of The Sherwood Singers, and soprano Ann White. All three began with The Back Porch Majority and were promoted to the Minstrels in February 1964. (Miller and Caldwell later launched a successful career as the pop/folk duo called Jackie and Gayle, landing a recording contract with Capitol Records and a spot as semi-regulars on ABC's ''Shindig! for '' Advance to the Rear'', featuring Glenn Ford and Stella Stevens. The soundtrack, performed by The New Christy Minstrels, was released in May 1964 as ''Today and Other songs from 'Advance to the Rear. It was the first complete soundtrack ever made in the folk music style. The score is notable for the hit standard "Today", which reached #4 on the Adult Contemporary Charts and #17 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, and the album cracked Billboard's Top 10.

In the summer of 1964, The New Christy Minstrels, now nine musicians, were featured in the television series ''Ford Presents the New Christy Minstrels'', a weekly variety show sponsored by the Ford Motor Company and broadcast as a summer replacement for ''Hazel''. Each episode had an outdoor setting, with two filmed at the 1964 New York World's Fair and three in the Los Angeles area—-Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Pacific Ocean Park. ''Ford Presents the New Christy Minstrels'' ran from August 6 to September 10, 1964, airing on NBC from 9:30 to 10:00 p.m. ET on Thursday.McNeil, Alex, ''Total Television: The Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present'', New York: Penguin Books, 1996, p. 595.Brooks, Tim, and Earle Marsh, ''The Complete Directory to Prime-Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present, Sixth Edition'', New York: Ballantine Books, 1995, , p. 736.

Also in the summer of 1964, Randy Sparks sold his interest in the group to his business partners, George Greif and Sid Garris, for $2,500,000. He shifted his focus to Ledbetter's, reviving his solo career, and launching the careers of other groups. Ledbetter's became a showcase for performers who later went on to major fame, including John Denver, The Carpenters, the Hager Twins, Gary Mule Deer and Steve Martin. The Back Porch Majority launched a successful career of their own.

1965-1969

In January 1965, the New Christy Minstrels, now under the leadership of Greif-Garris, embarked on their first European tour, appearing in London, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Amsterdam and Italy, where they performed the two winning songs at Sanremo Music Festival 1965. One of these songs, "Le Colline Sono in Fiore," which featured a romantic duet by Nick Woods and Karen Gunderson, became a No. 1 hit in Italy. Upon the group's return to the US, McGuire left to embark on a solo career. Because he had been the group's front man for 18 months, and the familiar voice on "Green, Green", his departure spelled the end of the original New Christy Minstrels--in the minds of the fans. Greif-Garris were rooted in the Big band era and never had any interest in folk music (which was fading) so they moved the group towards being more of a variety act, doing novelty and pop tunes, and a little comedy. Reflecting this shift, they had a ''Billboard'' Top 100 hit in the spring of 1965 with a cover of "Chim Chim Cher-ee" from the Disney film ''Mary Poppins''. In April 1965, they performed the song on the 37th Academy Awards telecast, where it won the Oscar for "Best Song".

Turnover in the group's roster started to accelerate through 1965, and at an even faster rate in the years that followed. Paul Potash had left the same time as McGuire; they were replaced by pop/folk singers Bob Buchanan and Michael Whalen. In April 1965, Barry Kane quit and was replaced by Will Teague; in July, Clarence Treat was replaced by Bill Skiles and Pete Henderson, aka Skiles and Henderson, a comedy duo that broadened Minstrels' stage act. In September, Nick Woods was replaced by Rusty Evans. In January 1966, Larry Ramos left and joined The Association; he was replaced by folksinger/songwriter Mike Settle. In late February, Art Podell, Karen Gunderson and Michael Whalen left. Among their replacements were singer/songwriter Michael McGinnis and pop/folk singer Ede Mae Kellogg. In July 1966, Ann White left and was replaced by Kim Carnes. Other new members were folksinger Mark Holly, former Fairmount Singer Dave Ellingson, tenor Terry Williams and Texas pop singer Kenny Rogers. In 1967, Williams and Settle made plans to leave the Minstrels and form a folk/rock group; they recruited Rogers and another minstrel, Thelma Camacho, and debuted as The First Edition on the Ledbetter's stage (in 1969, the band became Kenny Rogers and the First Edition).

The turnover took a toll on the group's sound. During the days on ''The Andy Williams Show'', the group had the key advantage of working with the show's musical/choral director, George Wyle. The Minstrels worked with Wyle on choral arrangements to back Williams and his guest stars; this allowed them to hone a beautiful sound, as demonstrated on ''Ramblin. None of the later line-ups had that advantage; concerts were entertaining, but—-with a couple of fleeting exceptions (spring 1965 and late 1972)—-the group sound never matched the quality they had achieved with Wyle.

1970-1995

The New Christy Minstrels continued to perform across the country, under the management of Greif-Garris, and released a few more albums. In 1970, they performed during Super Bowl IV at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, where they were introduced as "young Americans who demonstrate – with guitars."

In 1972, Greif-Garris Management was faced with a revolt, when members demanded more creative control and equitable treatment. Rather than acquiesce, Greif-Garris fired the group en masse and started rebuilding from scratch. This led to incorrect reports that the group had disbanded.

In the late 1980s and into the early 1990s, the group's concert activity declined steadily until it stopped completely.

Present

Sparks was able to register a trademark on the (dormant) New Christy Minstrels name and once again became the leader of the group, which continues to perform to enthusiastic audiences. The lineup, as of 2021, is Randy Sparks, Becky Jo Benson, Greg O'Haver, Dave Deutschendorf (John Denver's uncle), Dave Rainwater (Brenda Lee's cousin), Julie Theroux, Ed Stockton, and Tholow Chan.

The New Christy Minstrels are owned and administered by the New Christy Minstrels Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to preserving the group's music.

In 2009, a Golden Palm Star on the Walk of Stars was dedicated to Randy Sparks and The New Christy Minstrels.

References in popular culture

In the movie A Mighty Wind, a comedic mockumentary which tells the story of a folk music reunion, the New Main Street Singers were based on/inspired by The New Christy Minstrels.

Alumni

(Partial list)

;1961
* Hal Ayotte, joined 1961 with The Fairmount Singers
* Becky Jo Benson, joined 1961
* Billy Cudmore, joined 1961.
* Karol Dugan, joined 1961, from The Inn Group
* Dave Ellingson, joined 1961 with the Fairmount Singers and again in 1966.
* Dolan Ellis, joined 1961 and again in 2006.
* John Forsha, joined 1961. From The Inn Group
* Jackie Miller, joined 1961. Later a member of Jackie and Gayle with Gayle Caldwell.
* Rob Mills, joined 1961 with The Fairmount Singers
* Tracy Newman, joined 1961
* Terry Tillman joined 1961 with The Fairmount Singers
* Terry Wadsworth, joined 1961. Later became an actor under the name Terence Locke. (d. 1982)
* Jerry Yester, joined 1961, from The Inn Group

;1962
* Gayle Caldwell, joined 1962. Later half of 'Jackie and Gayle'. (d. 2009)
* Peggy Connelly, joined 1962 (d. 2007)
* Barry Kane, joined 1962 and again 1972. (d. 2013)
* Barry McGuire, joined 1962
* Art Podell, joined 1962, from Art & Paul
* Larry Ramos, joined 1962. (d. 2014)
* Clarence Treat, joined 1962

;1960s
* Gene Clark, joined 1963 (d. 1991)
* Karen Gunderson, joined 1964, from The Back Porch Majority. (d. 2018)
* Paul Potash, joined 1964, from The Back Porch Majority. Later half of the duo Art & Paul.
* Ann White, joined 1964, from The Back Porch Majority, later a member of The Love Generation.
* Bob Buchanan, joined 1965. Later a member of the International Submarine Band.
* Rusty Evans, joined 1965. From The All Night Singers, later a rock and country performer.
* Pete Henderson, joined 1965. Formed the comedy duo Skiles and Henderson, rejoined the Minstrels in 2010. (d. 2018)
* Bill Skiles, joined 1965, later formed the comedy team Skiles and Henderson. (d. 2011)
* Will Teague, joined 1965
* Michael P. Whalen, joined 1965. From The Good Time Singers on ''The Andy Williams Show''.
* Kim Carnes, joined 1966
* Mark Holly, joined 1966.
* Kiyoko Itoh, joined 1966. Later a pop/television star in Japan.
* Ede Mae Kellogg, joined 1966.
* Michael McGinnis, joined 1966. Later a successful singer/songwriter.
* Peter-John Morse, joined 1966
* Kenny Rogers, joined 1966, from the Bobby Doyle Three. (d. 2020)
* Mike Settle, joined 1966
* Terry Williams, joined 1966, later a founding member of Kenny Rogers and the First Edition.
* Keith Barbour, joined 1967
* Moro Buddy Bohn, joined 1967
* Thelma Camacho, joined 1967
* Joe Frank Carollo, joined 1967. Later a member of Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds.
* David Jackson, joined 1967. From The Good Time Singers on ''The Andy Williams Show'', later a folk/country performer.
* Mayf Nutter, joined 1967. Later a country performer.
* Mark Springer, joined 1967
* Bruce Bermudez, joined 1968. Later formed the band Catahoula.
* Carol Carmichael, aka Kim Carmichael, joined 1968
* Fats Johnson, joined 1968. Later a folk singer and comedian) (d. 2007).
* Rex Kramer, joined 1968.
* Ellen Whalen, joined 1969, from The Back Porch Majority
* Myles Williams, joined 1969
* Bill Zorn, joined 1969. Later a member of The Limeliters and The Kingston Trio.
* Russell Thornberry, joined 196?. Later became a successful recording artist in Canada.

;1970s
* Gaylan Taylor, joined 1970. Later with The Limeliters (d. 2021)
* Christine Andreas, joined 1971
* John Anthony, joined 1971. Later a band singer for Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians.
* Linda Hart, joined 1971
* Terry Meeuwsen, joined 1971
* Nick Woods, joined 1961, from The Randy Sparks Three (d. 1971).
* Judy Thompson, joined 1972.
* Amy Castro Payuyo-Stinstrom, joined 1976. Simultaneously with Pesnyary
* Avril Chown, joined 1976
* Nanette Florian, joined 1977
* William Florian, joined 1977

;1990s
* Eddie Boggs, joined 1998. Later became a teacher. (d. 2014)
* Lori Brandon, joined 1998 (d. 2012)

;2000s
* Chuck Cole, joined 2004
* Rick Hill, joined 2008

;2010s
* Dave Deutschendorf, joined 2010
* Jennifer Lind, joined 2010
* Greg O'Haver, joined 2010
* Tholow Chan, joined 2015 (originally part of The Back Porch Majority in the 1960s)
* Ed Stockton, joined 2015
* Julie Theroux, joined 2017 (d. 2021)
* Dave Rainwater

Discography

Albums

* '' Presenting The New Christy Minstrels'' (aka ''Exciting New Folk Chorus'') (1962)
* ''The New Christy Minstrels In Person'' (1962)
* ''The New Christy Minstrels Tell Tall Tales! (Legends and Nonsense)'' (1963)
* ''Ramblin' Featuring Green, Green'' (1963)
* ''Merry Christmas!'' (1963)
* ''Today and Other Songs from 'Advance to the Rear (1964)
* ''Land of Giants'' (1964)
* ''The New Christy Minstrels Sing and Play Cowboys and Indians'' (1965)
* ''Chim Chim Cher-ee'' (1965)
* ''The New Christy Minstrels'' (1965, CBS/Sony, Japan)
* ''The Quiet Sides of the New Christy Minstrels'' (1965, Columbia Record Club)
* ''The Wandering Minstrels'' (1965)
*''Amore, Ritorna...'' (1965, CBS Italy, as 'The Minstrels')
* ''In Italy...In Italian'' (1966)
* ''New Kick!'' (1966)
* ''Christmas with the Christies'' (1966)
* ''Greatest Hits'' (1966)
* ''On Tour Through Motortown'' (1968)
* ''Big Hits from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'' with Arthur Treacher (1968)
* '' Barry McGuire And Featuring Members Of The New Christy Minstrels'' (1968, Pickwick, 33 Records)
* ''The New Christy Minstrels'' (1970 RCA Japan; not released in the USA)
* ''A Sanremo'' (1970 Miura Italy; not released in the USA)
* ''You Need Someone to Love'' (1970, Gregar)
* ''Greatest Hits'' (1973, Embassy)
* ''Keep Japan Beautiful'' (1975 Warner/Reprise Japan; not released in the USA)
* ''The Great Soap Opera Themes'' (1976)
* ''Permanent Wave'' (1984, Polo. Rare limited release)
* ''The Very Best Of The New Christy Minstrels'' (1996, Vanguard)
* ''Today/Ramblin'' (1997, Collectables, Sony Music Special Projects)
* ''The Definitive New Christy Minstrels'' (1998)
* ''Coat Your Minds With Honey, Hits & Highlights 1962-1968'' (1999, Raven Records, Australia)
* ''Live from Ledbetter's'' (1999, recorded in 1964)
* ''Christmas With The New Christy Minstrels: Complete!'' (2001, Collectables, Sony Music Special Projects)
* ''The New Christy Minstrels – Presenting & In Person'' (2003, Collectables, Sony Music Special Projects)
* ''The New Christy Minstrels – Tell Tall Tales! Legends And Nonsense / Land Of Giants'' ((2003, Collectables, Sony Music Special Projects)
* ''Merry Christmas, Volume II: 42 Years Later'' (2005, Minstrelz)
* ''Stars From The New Christy Minstrels'' (2007, Ember Records)
* ''Recycled: What's Old Is New!'' (2009)
* ''A Retrospective (1962-1970)'' (2012, Real Gone Music, Sony Music Commercial Music Group)
* ''Nice Time to Be Alive'' (2013)
* ''Merry Christmas! The Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings 1963–1966'' (2013, Real Gone Music)
* ''Exciting New Folk Chorus / In Person'' (2017, Jasmine Records, UK)

Singles

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:New Christy Minstrels, The
American folk musical groups
Musical groups established in 1961
Grammy Award winners
Sanremo Music Festival winners
Columbia Records artists
1961 establishments in the United States