New Christie Minsrtels

Subject: New Christie Minsrtels
From:
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 10:39 AM

Hep! Haven't found enough info! How many ex-Chrisie Minstrel are out there? Do you know any? Do you know OF any? Any reformed, revived version out there performing, touring? Let me know who, where you are! Hoping to find ex-menmbers names --as many as possible.

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: John Hindsill
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 11:02 AM

The NCM were a very interesting group amassed by Randy Sparks. Most of the members had been singing around the LA area in various coffee houses and folk clubs. Their stage prescence was vastly different from their recordings; the former was performed in a neo-minstrel or vaudeville mode, the latter mostly as group sing along.

Barry McGuire went on to a solo career, "Eve of Destruction", thence to born-again gospel. What happened to his origianl partner, Barry Kane, I know not.

Dolan Ellis, who has a web page, lives in Arizona or New Mexico and is the poet-laureate of whichever state.

Phil Ramos was a founding member, or at least an early member of The Association after leaving NCM.

One of the girls (I think her name was Jackie, and may still be) joined Brazil 66.

Randy Sparks cloned NCM with an inferior group, Back Porch Majority, which perform concurrently with the original.

Except for Dolan Ellis, all of this is old stuff; I hope you get newer info. I, too, would be interested.---John

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: Bonedaddy
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 11:57 AM

Have'nt they become the Old Christie Minstrals? Bonedaddy

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: lesblank
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 03:50 PM

John:

It wasn't Phil Ramos -- it was Larry Ramos from Compton, California and he taught me to play "Scotch and Soda" while it was still ripening on The K T's shelf. Larry still performs 6 - 8 times a year, mostly at reunion type parties and gigs. As a lead vocalist withe the Association, he never got the accolades he should have for his guitar playing.

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: John Hindsill
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 06:18 PM

lesblank--You are 100% correct. It is Larry Ramos. I chalk it up to the early hour and haste (which we know what that makes). Who is Phil Ramos anyway?---John

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: DougR
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 06:35 PM

Dolan Ellis lives in Arizona. In the mid 1960's he owned his own venue (coffee house) in Scottsdale after he left the Christi Minstrels.

He is Arizona's official Troubadour (I believe that is his official title)and still performs from time to time.

DougR

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 06:58 PM

But does anyone remember Pedro Ramos?

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: Mudjack
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 11:00 PM

It seems founder Randy Sparks sold the name/business and simply dissapeared. I also would like to know about what happen to The NCM and R.Sparks.
Mj

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: Gail
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 09:59 AM

Right, Bonedaddy!

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: Banjoman_CO
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 10:13 AM

I knew Carol Hiser while I was in Oklahoma City. She married a Veternarian(sp). She played some of the folk houses when I was there.

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: Alice
Date: 12 Jun 99 - 10:20 AM

coincidentally, I have been asked to find some info that would clarify a rumor that a person named Carolyn was a member of the New Christy Minstrels. Anyone know if there ever was a Carolyn, if so... last name, more details?

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From:
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 08:03 AM

Ok, how about a guy named Larry associated with the song Tom Dooley, (did thay ever record it?). Says he was a Founding Member. Ring a bell? Not ring a bell? Sound right? sound phoney?

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: Mudjack
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 10:50 AM

It sounds like anyone who could sing a song or play your basic pop folk instruments was a member of the hear say group. Harvey Reid is a former member. Judging by his age, I'd have to guess he was with the re-Newed Christie Minstrils. My snoop mode is about to kick in....Where and what is Randy Sparks doing these days?
Mj

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: Lowcountry
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 12:08 PM

Good one, Bonedaddy.

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: John Hindsill
Date: 14 Jun 99 - 09:51 PM

These are the New Christy Minstrals as credited on their first record album:
Barry McGuire/Barry Kane (who previously had been Barry & Barry)
Nick Woods
Dolan Ellis (see above message)
Art Podell
Clarence Treat
Larry Ramos (see messages above)
Peggy Connelly
Jackie Miller (see message above) and
Randy Sparks, founder/director

Jeez, why did'nt I think of research before?---John

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: gail
Date: 16 Jun 99 - 10:24 PM

Thanks to John Hindsill. that's the kind of info I was after. Any one know more about this Larry Ramos? I don't think he's the guy I'm trying to find out about. How about Randy? Could Randy have become a Larry? Far-fetched? Just brain-storming.

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: Rasta
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 03:04 AM

When I was about 14 or so I had a friend named April who had a uncle who I think was road manager for the Minstrels --We went to see them at Hunter college in N.Y. back then Late that night we went back stage and met them and Larry Ramos who played banjo for them taught me how to play roughly parts of the MTA song (oh did he eveer return) Larry was real nice to us, we were kids and later he was part of a group called the Association(Cherrish) was one of there Hits. Rastaa-----

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: Jesse in Sonora
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 10:02 AM

Can anyone tell me if two people are now the the New Cristy's. I have two friends who play up here in Sonora CA Chris Miller and Lori Brandon..They are supposed to be new members (in the past 4 months) I wonder if Rasta Knows Jesse.

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: Rasta
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 12:30 PM

Sorry Jessie cant say I know Lori or chris. Everyone knows Kenny Rogers and I believe Barry Mcguire (eve of destrution) were also in the group and I believe Mike Settle who was I think in the Cumberand three with John Stewart before John joined the Kingston trio during the great folk scare.--good luck on your search---El Rastaaaa

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: Mudjack
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 03:13 PM

Right on the mark Rasta That group had more personel changes than any group of that era.
Still, no one seems to know where R. Sparks dissappeared to.
Mj

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: Jesse in Sonora
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 04:17 PM

The story I got from a friend is that in Feb. Randy was in a bar lounge in Jamestown CA (about 3 miles south of Sonora) listining to a local bad..he heard the two individuals and asked him to join his group. They were Chris Miller and Lori Brandon (local artists in the area) the person who related this to me is the girl friend of Chris Miller. Thats all I know. Jesse

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: Mudjack
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 05:52 PM

Jesse in Sonora,
Meaning this past Feb suggests that Randy Sparks might be a local "Gold Country" resident.Thanks
We might track this guy yet. I just have this curiousity thing about where and why he chucked it all.
Mj

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: Mudjack
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 06:29 PM

Ok NCM fans,been cybersnooping and found a neat site by searhing Randy Sparks.
(http://ebni.com/byrds/mengc1.html) will take you to Byrds watch and we have yet another infamous NCM member.The Byrd's Gene Clarke did a time with them.The searh still came up short for the whereabouts of the illusive R.Sparks but did find a site called Sparks Agency that has a lot of big name talent. Could it be?
When you give thought to the groups mode of operation, they were really a revolving door of talent search and discoveries.Sorry about not being able to do the "blue clicky thing"
Mj

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: sail
Date: 17 Jun 99 - 07:13 PM

I thought Gamble Rogers was a member of the New Christie Minstrels at one time. Maybe it was another group.

Subject: RE: New Christie Minsrtels
From: GailS
Date: 18 Jun 99 - 02:14 AM

Any one think of an inquiring E-mail to that Dolan Ellis web page? I understand he was involved in a "recent: (how recent?) reunion concert with the New Christie Minstrals and the kingston Trio. was Randy sparks there? Where does he live now? I'm wondering if Sparks or any other original member has popped up in Mineapolis-St Paul, MN. I am trying to find out about a specific man that was hanging out in the place where I work, and actually got booked by the boss to play there -- now I haven't seen him for 2 or 3 weeks. Makes it rather hard to talk to him, ask him any questions, find out who he is, how legit he really is. My boss says hs name is Larry (no last name given). Which makes less and less sense, by what I've found out here.