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 remained on the Billboard 200 albums chart for two years.
Prior to the album's release, Columbia Records West Coast A&R head Irving Townsend demanded as a precondition for the album's release that Sparks convert the group into a performing ensemble that could make live appearances. Also at Townsend's request, Sparks hired business managers George Greif and Sid Garris to help his large, unproven group secure bookings. Some of band's members had no interest in committing full-time to what they saw as a high-risk project, and others had obligations elsewhere. Yester, Dugan, Forsha, Wadsworth and Cudmore all left the group after the recording sessions. Sparks had lost half of 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 debuted 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 Andy 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, the group appeared at the Cocoanut Grove with comedian George Gobel and then at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl with singer/comedian Allan Sherman. Sherman released the 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 May 1963, Sparks stopped touring to focus on developing material and opening a night club in Los Angeles called Ledbetter's, which he intended as a training ground for future group members. By the end of the year, he had formed the Back Porch Majority later to become 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. It was the first complete soundtrack to be recorded in the folk music style. The score is notable for the hit standard "Today", which reached No. 4 on the Adult Contemporary Charts and No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, 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 Thursdays.
Also in the summer of 1964, Sparks sold his interest in the group to Greif and 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 enjoyed great fame, including John Denver, 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 and Garris, embarked on their first European tour, appearing in London, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Amsterdam, and Italy, where they performed the two winning songs at the 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 U.S., McGuire left to embark on a solo career. Greif and Garris were rooted in the Big Band era and had little interest in the fading folk music genre, so they transitioned the group to more of a variety act with novelty and pop tunes mixed with some comedy. They reached No. 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the spring of 1965 with a cover of the Sherman Brothers' "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 Original Song. The group would later reach No. 114 in 1969 with a version of another Sherman Brothers title song from a Disney film, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang".
In 2009, a Golden Palm Star on the Walk of Stars was dedicated to Sparks and the New Christy Minstrels.
Alumni
(Partial list)
;1961
- Hal Ayotte, joined 1961 with The Fairmount Singers
- 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
- Jerry Yester, joined 1961, from The Inn Group
;1962
- Gayle Caldwell, joined 1962. Later half of 'Jackie and Gayle'.
- Peggy Connelly, joined 1962
- Barry Kane, joined 1962 and again 1972.
- Barry McGuire, joined 1962
- Art Podell, joined 1962, from Art & Paul
- Larry Ramos, joined 1962
- Clarence Treat, joined 1962
;1960s
- Gene Clark, joined 1963
- Karen Gunderson, joined 1964, from The Back Porch Majority
- 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.
- Bill Skiles, joined 1965, later formed the comedy team Skiles and Henderson.
- 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
- Kyoko Ito, 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
- 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
- John E. Tymon II, joined in 1968
- Carol Carmichael, aka Kim Carmichael, joined 1968
- Fats Johnson, joined 1968. Later a folk singer and comedian.
- 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
- 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
- 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
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Becky Jo Benson, joined 1996
- Eddie Boggs, joined 1998
- Dave Rainwater, joined 1998
- Lori Brandon, joined 1998
;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
- Sue Harris, joined 2016
- Julie Theroux, joined 2018
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 US)
- A Sanremo (1970 Miura Italy; not released in the US)
- You Need Someone to Love (1970, Gregar)
- Greatest Hits (1973, Embassy)
- Keep Japan Beautiful (1975 Warner/Reprise Japan; not released in the US)
- 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
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Year
! width="400" rowspan="2"| Single (A-side, B-side)<br /><small>Both sides from same album except where indicated</small>
! colspan="3"|Chart positions
! rowspan="2"|Album
|-
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
! width="40"| US
! width="40"| US<br />AC
! width="40"| CAN<small><br />CHUM<br />RPM AC</small>
|-
| 1962
| align="left"|"This Land Is Your Land"<br /><small>b/w "Don't Cry, Suzanne" </small>
| 93
| —
| —
| align="left"|Exciting New Folk Chorus
|-
| rowspan="3"|1963
| align="left"|"Denver"<br /><small>b/w "Liza Lee" </small>
| 127
| —
| —
| align="left"|In Person
|-
| align="left"|"Green, Green"<br /><small>b/w "The Banjo" (Non-album track) </small>
| 14
| 3
| 17
| align="left"|Ramblin
|-
| align="left"|"Saturday Night"<br /><small>b/w "The Wheeler Dealers" </small>
| 29
| —
| —
| align="left"|Non-album tracks
|-
| rowspan="4"|1964
| align="left"|"Today"<br /><small>b/w "Miss Katy Cruel" (Non-album track)</small>
| 17
| 4
| —
| align="left"|Today
|-
| align="left"|"Silly Ol' Summertime"<br /><small>b/w "The Far Side of the Hill" (from The Quiet Sides of The New Christy Minstrels)</small>
| 92
| —
| —
| align="left"|Non-album track
|-
| align="left"|"This Ol' Riverboat" (New recording; non-album track) <br /><small>b/w "Same Ol' Huckleberry Finn" (Non-album track)</small>
| —
| —
| —
| align="left"|Today
|-
| align="left"|"Gotta Get A'Goin"<br /><small>b/w "Down the Road I Go"</small>
| 111
| —
| —
| align="left"|Non-album tracks
|-
| rowspan="4"|1965
| align="left"|"Chim, Chim, Cheree"<br /><small>b/w "They Gotta Quit Kickin' My Dog Around" (from The New Christy Minstrels Sing and Play Cowboys and Indians)</small>
| 81
| 20
| 7
| align="left"|Chim Chim Cher-ee
|-
| align="left"|"The River"<br /><small>b/w "Se piangi, se ridi" (from In Italy...In Italian)</small>
| —
| —
| —
| align="left"|Non-album track
|-
| align="left"|"A Little Bit of Happiness"<br /><small>b/w "Jim 'N I, Him 'N I, Flying in the Gemini" (Non-album track) </small>
| —
| —
| —
| align="left"|Chim Chim Cher-ee
|-
| align="left"|"Born to Be Free"<br /><small>b/w "Everybody Loves Saturday Night" (from The Wandering Minstrels) </small>
| —
| —
| —
| align="left" rowspan="4"|Non-album tracks
|-
| rowspan="5"|1966
| align="left"|"Dance My Trouble Away"<br /><small>b/w "There But for Fortune" </small>
| —
| —
| —
|-
| align="left"|"The Music of the World a Turnin'"<br /><small>b/w "If I Could Start My Life Again" </small>
| —
| —
| —
|-
| align="left"|"Beautiful Beautiful World"<br /><small>b/w "A Corner in the Sun" (from New Kick!)</small>
| —
| —
| —
|-
| align="left"|"We Need a Little Christmas"<br /><small>b/w "O Holy Night" </small>
| —
| —
| —
| align="left"|Christmas with the Christies
|-
| align="left"|"It Should Have Been You"<br /><small>b/w "Sleep Comes Easy" </small>
| —
| —
| —
| align="left" rowspan="2"|Non-album tracks
|-
| 1967
| align="left"|"I'll Coat Your Mind with Honey"<br /><small>b/w "Night and Day" </small>
| —
| —
| —
|-
| rowspan="4"|1968
| align="left"|"Where Did Our Love Go"<br /><small>b/w "Stop in the Name of Love" </small>
| —
| —
| —
| align="left"|On Tour Through Motortown
|-
| align="left"|"Ballad for Americans"<br /><small>b/w "Gallant Men" </small>
| —
| —
| —
| align="left" rowspan="2"|Non-album tracks
|-
| align="left"|"Alice's Restaurant"<br /><small>b/w "Summertime Love" </small>
| —
| —
| —
|-
| align="left"|"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"<br /><small>b/w "Me Old Bamboo" </small>
| 114
| —
| —
| align="left"|Big Hits from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
|-
|1969
| align="left"|"Hey Jude" / "Atlantis"<br /><small>b/w "Run Wild, Run Free" </small>
| —
| —
| —
| align="left"|Non-album tracks
|-
|rowspan="3"|1971
| align="left"|"You Need Someone to Love (Ta Vie C'est Ton Amour)"<br /><small>b/w "South American Get Away" </small>
| —
| —
| 6
| align="left" rowspan="2"|You Need Someone to Love
|-
| align="left"|"Brother"<br /><small>b/w "I Still Do" (Non-album track)</small>
| —
| 36
| —
|-
| align="left"|"You Are Always on My Mind"<br /><small>b/w "Where Are You Then"</small>
| —
| —
| —
| align="left" rowspan="3"|Non-album tracks
|-
|rowspan="2"|1972
| align="left"|"Love It Along"<br /><small>b/w "The Age of Not Believing" </small>
| —
| —
| —
|-
| align="left"|"Hallelujah World"<br /><small>b/w "The Ballad of Tom Eagleton" </small>
| —
| —
| —
|-
|}
In popular culture
In A Mighty Wind, Eugene Levy and Christopher Guest's 2003 comedic mockumentary film about a folk-music reunion, the "Main Street Singers" and "New Main Street Singers" were based on the New Christy Minstrels.