For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — The Arts Council of South Wood County is honored to bring The New Christy Minstrels to the Performing Arts Center of Wisconsin Rapids on Friday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m.

“No performing group has ever spawned so many successful musical careers as The New Christy Minstrels. Their songs have had staying power for decades…you won’t want to miss hearing a live performance of hits like We’ll Sing in the Sunshine; Green, Green; Saturday Night; Today; and Mighty Mississippi.”

Folk music legends, this world-famous group is still under the direction of Randy Sparks, and according to Sparks, the group is now better than they were in their hey-day. The New Christy Minstrels won a Grammy for their very first album and have gold records galore. The group, now officially seven members strong, is a mix of old and new, and it’s now the best collection of performers ever to have been billed as The New Christy Minstrels: founder Randy Sparks, Tholow Chan, Becky Jo Benson, Sue Harris, Greg O’Haver, Dave Rainwater, Dave Deutschendorf (John Denver’s uncle), and on occasion, Ed Stockton.

New Christy Minstrels. (Contributed)

“We’re still alive, we’re still creative, and still eager to please, so we make a deal with the audience,” said Sparks. “We’ll do all the old songs you came to hear, if you’ll allow just a couple of newer ones.”

The same songwriter who penned their hits is still at it, and the Randy Sparks magic is quite happily alive and well. They will be bringing a recent CD titled, “Nice Time To Be Alive” released in July of 2013, as well as their Greatest Hits CD, titled “RECYCLED.” Autographs are given after the concert so that the group can thank everyone for coming to their concert.

“For over fifty years we have been the best talent show ever,” says Sparks. “We still are.”

Tickets are $31 plus tax, and can be purchased at www.SavorTheArts.org, or call the Arts Council at 715-424-2787 during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday from 10AM – 2:30 p.m. You can also visit the Arts Council office at 1040 Eighth Street South, Suite 101, during those hours.

The Arts Council would like to thank the following sponsors of The New Christy Minstrels: Mead Witter Foundation, Midwest Communications, and Stifel (Terry A. Lang).