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Randy Sparks Founder New Christy Minstrels, 90

RIP Randy Sparks.

The Christies were really one of the most underrated groups in pop history (and maybe even the very first of the 'supergroups'.) Kenny Rogers, Barry McGuire, Kim Carnes, Gene Clark of The Byrds, Joe Frank Carollo of Hamilton Joe Frank & Reynolds and Larry Ramos of The Association were all New Christy Minstrels alumni. Randy definitely knew good talent when he saw it.

I knew them by way of my mom's well worn (by the time I was done with it) copy of this tune, which I used to sneak out of her collection to play on my GE phonograph when I was 5-6.

R-2580974-1307470554.jpg
(Columbia really missed it by not making the label green.)

Another Christies tune I remember was their bonkers version of "Tiptoe Through The Tulips" (recorded 7 years before Tiny Tim made it famous) With lead vocals by Barry McGuire. It was played on Dr. Demento for years.
 
Bongwater said:
RIP Randy Sparks.

The Christies were really one of the most underrated groups in pop history (and maybe even the very first of the 'supergroups'.) Kenny Rogers, Barry McGuire, Kim Carnes, Gene Clark of The Byrds, Joe Frank Carollo of Hamilton Joe Frank & Reynolds and Larry Ramos of The Association were all New Christy Minstrels alumni. Randy definitely knew good talent when he saw it.

I knew them by way of my mom's well worn (by the time I was done with it) copy of this tune, which I used to sneak out of her collection to play on my GE phonograph when I was 5-6.

View attachment 6598
(Columbia really missed it by not making the label green.)

Another Christies tune I remember was their bonkers version of "Tiptoe Through The Tulips" (recorded 7 years before Tiny Tim made it famous) With lead vocals by Barry McGuire. It was played on Dr. Demento for years.
Click to expand...
Randy Sparks was a very talented musician, songwriter, and entrepreneur. The Christy Minstrels were most kind towards their fans, and one of the highlights of my early teen years was being able to hang out with them after concerts and correspond back and forth.

Slight clarification: "Tip Toe Through the Tulips" from their second album "Live At the Troubdour" was sung by Christy Minstrel Dolan Ellis. If you own this record, his name will be on the liner notes and on the vinyl record center label itself for Tip Toe Through the Tulips. He was one of the most humorous members of the group, and a very funny entertainer. He later left the group to become the Arizona State Balladeer and sing folk songs of the history of Arizona. I still have the recording of "In Person", and in the "Bits and Pieces" section, you will hear Randy Sparks say, "Ladies and Gentlemen, our foremost authority on British folk music, Dolan Ellis." Dolan then steps up and says "Old English folk music is a bore." That's the beginning of "Tip Toe Through the Tulips." So, the voice you're hearing on the Christies' "In Person" album for "Tip Toe Through the Tulips" is that of Dolan Ellis.
 
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Daryl Lynn L.A. said:
Randy Sparks was a very talented musician, songwriter, and entrepreneur. The Christy Minstrels were most kind towards their fans, and one of the highlights of my early teen years was being able to hang out with them after concerts and correspond back and forth.

Slight clarification: "Tip Toe Through the Tulips" from their second album "Live At the Troubdour" was sung by Christy Minstrel Dolan Ellis. If you own this record, his name will be on the liner notes and on the vinyl record center label itself for Tip Toe Through the Tulips. He was one of the most humorous members of the group, and a very funny entertainer. He later left the group to become the Arizona State Balladeer and sing folk songs of the history of Arizona. I still have the recording of "In Person", and in the "Bits and Pieces" section, you will hear Randy Sparks say, "Ladies and Gentlemen, our foremost authority on British folk music, Dolan Ellis." Dolan then steps up and says "Old English folk music is a bore." That's the beginning of "Tip Toe Through the Tulips." So, the voice you're hearing on the Christies' "In Person" album for "Tip Toe Through the Tulips" is that of Dolan Ellis.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the clarification!
 
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