I remember when Randy Sparks started the big group called "The New Christy Minstrels," loosely based on an old minstrel show act from the late 19th century, I believe. Randy had been doing a single act as a sort of folk/pop balladeer, which he still occasionally does. I saw him as a "single" at a hometown hotel venue in 1959.

He says the hardest part about working with the bigger group is the control issue. Everyone has an ego, and everyone wants to believe his or her particular contribution is important. But, in order to avoid chaos, and to preserve a sort of group identity, someone has to call the shots, so to speak. The other problem is maintaining the sound and the cohesiveness of the group despite occasional (and sometimes frequent)changes in personnel.

I just heard from Randy, who has been living in northern California in recent years. He, Clarence Treat, Art Podell and Barry McGuire (when available) still get together with some others for reunion concerts. He still does what he calls a single act (with two people). I think he has passed his 70th birthday, but he's still very active, as are the others.