Grammy-winner and singer-songwriter Randy Sparks, who founded the folk music ensemble New Christy Minstrels, died on February 11 at age 90. The musician in an assisted living facility in San Diego. Sparks, renowned as an American musician and songwriter, made significant contributions to the revival of folk music in the 1960s with the formation of New Christy Minstrels. This musical group, best known for its melodic harmonies and folk-pop sound, was formed in 1961, with Sparks leading the way. The New Christy Minstrels achieved remarkable success with hit songs, including “Today,” “Denver,” and “Green, Green,” which Sparks co-wrote with future “Eve of Destruction” vocalist Barry McGuire. The New Christy Minstrels were also a mainstay on television between 1962 and 1963, appearing on 26 episodes of The Andy Williams Show on NBC and eight episodes of ABC’s Hootenanny. The group even got its own NBC show in the summer of 1964 titled Ford Presents the New Christy Minstrels.
- 2/18/2024
- TV Insider
Randy Sparks, whose group the New Christy Minstrels was a huge part of the folk revival of the early 1960s, died February 11 at an assisted-living facility in San Diego. He was 90.
His son, Kevin, confirmed the death to The New York Times. Sparks was living on his 168-acre ranch in Jenny Lind, CA, until a few days before his death.
The New Christy Minstrels were constantly on TV in the 1960s and sold an estimated 2 million albums in their first three years. The group’s first album, Presenting the New Christy Minstrels, won the Grammy Award for best performance by a chorus and stayed on the Billboard albums chart for two years.
The group’s 1963 LP Ramblin’ made the Top 15 and was its only gold disc. The holiday set Merry Christmas! also was a hit that year, Today hit No. 9 in 1964, becoming the Christys’ lone Top 10 album. It featured music...
His son, Kevin, confirmed the death to The New York Times. Sparks was living on his 168-acre ranch in Jenny Lind, CA, until a few days before his death.
The New Christy Minstrels were constantly on TV in the 1960s and sold an estimated 2 million albums in their first three years. The group’s first album, Presenting the New Christy Minstrels, won the Grammy Award for best performance by a chorus and stayed on the Billboard albums chart for two years.
The group’s 1963 LP Ramblin’ made the Top 15 and was its only gold disc. The holiday set Merry Christmas! also was a hit that year, Today hit No. 9 in 1964, becoming the Christys’ lone Top 10 album. It featured music...
- 2/17/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
As a member of The Monkees, Mike Nesmith was responsible for writing some of the band’s most unforgettable songs. Although behind-the-scenes of The Monkees television show, the powers-that-be relied on a stable of prolific songwriters to pen many of the band’s tunes, Nesmith muscled his way into their league with a series of songs that remain fan favorites to this day. However, he could not shake one song in particular, which appeared on deluxe editions of two Monkees albums and two of his solo recordings.
The Monkees’ Mike Nesmith, Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, and Peter Tork | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Mike Nesmith was a songwriter before The Monkees
Before being cast as one-fourth of The Monkees, Mike Nesmith was a songwriter. Per TCM, in 1963, Nesmith performed at various folk venues, including The Troubadour. He met Randy Sparks of the New Christy Minstrels there and earned a songwriting publishing deal.
The Monkees’ Mike Nesmith, Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, and Peter Tork | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Mike Nesmith was a songwriter before The Monkees
Before being cast as one-fourth of The Monkees, Mike Nesmith was a songwriter. Per TCM, in 1963, Nesmith performed at various folk venues, including The Troubadour. He met Randy Sparks of the New Christy Minstrels there and earned a songwriting publishing deal.
- 3/11/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.