The New Christy Minstrels
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The New Christy Minstrels was a folk group which met with some success commercially in the 1960's. They were named after a nineteenth century minstrel group.
Minstrelsy was a form of music that began in the United States in the 1820's. It was often performed by white performers who used cork to make themselves up in blackface, although there were many black groups also. They were travelling shows which frequently sang songs that were popular with blacks, but the songs might be given a spin by adding a dance or a different version of what the song had been originally. Minstrel acts toured extensively and told jokes, held cakewalks, and encouraged audience participation. Minstrelsy was very high in popularity in 1844 when Edwin "Pop" Christy, a nineteenth century minstrel who wrote Goodnight Ladies among other songs, formed the Christy Minstrels. This form of music continued as a part of the American music scene until about the 1950's.
Randy Sparks was born in Leavenworth, Kansas in 1933. In 1961 he created a folk group in New York City that had its eye on commercial success and called it The New Christy Minstrels. Contributions of songs and lyrics from members of the group were encouraged, and used in their performances. In the summer of 1963 their first song to reach the top forty, Green, Green, entered the charts. The lead singer of the group at the time was Barry McGuire, who had co-written the song with Randy Sparks. His booming voice gave the song a distinct sound, and it moved up the charts to number 14.
Other minor hits followed, including two that reached the top forty, Saturday Night and Today. The latter was written by Sparks to be used in a comedy western film titled Advance To The Rear. The group had a fresh, original sound that contributed to its popularity. From 1962 to 1965 they issued nine albums, the most successful of which were Ramblin' and Today.
The New Christy Minstrels performed for Lyndon Johnson at the White House and had its own television show briefly in 1964. The group was sold by Sparks to a management team. There were some personnel changes, and the group continued to record and tour for a number of years. Musical director for the group, Mike Settle, left in the mid-60's and took some other members of the group with him, including Kenny Rogers, and together they formed a very successful group, the First Edition.
Barry McGuire went on to perform as a solo act and hit big with his own number one song in 1965, Eve Of Destruction.
Randy Sparks formed another group that he named The Back Porch Majority. He wrote for other singers including Burl Ives and John Denver and did some studio work. He moved to a ranch in California in the 70's and sometimes toured as Randy Sparks and the Patch Family.
The New Christy Minstrels had a refreshing sound in the 60's and made their mark on the pop music business.