Desert Messenger

36 www.DesertMessenger.com January 3, 2018 DUMP THE DRUGS IN QUARTZSITE! Do you have expired or unused medications? DISPOSE SAFELY AT Quartzsite Police Dept. Mon - Fri. 8 am-5 pm Sponsored by QPD Town of Quartzsite, AZ Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ DesertMessengerNews Follow on Twitter @DesertMessenger @QuartzsiteRain Randy Sparks, creator and director of the group, first started entertaining back in the late 50s. He played solo for many years in coffee houses and clubs, and always had a dream of creating a choral group with blended harmonies and great music. The group became the New Christy Minstrels, and originally had 14 band members. Over the years, many members have been replaced by others, with the exception of Randy, the only original member still in the group. There have actually been over 300 different members of the group since it first started in 1961. The New Christy Minstrels now consist of a core group of 7 with several part time additions to some concerts in certain areas. The members that will be coming this January will include leader Randy Sparks, who has writ- ten most of the songs they play, garnering a Grammy for their first album, and many gold records as well. There is also Dave Rainwater, a champion fiddler, and Tholow Chan, who is back after first touring with the band in 1969 and the only known Chinese folk bass player. Another member of the group is the uncle of John Denver (who also was in the group many years ago), David Deutschendorf, who's been with the group permanently since 2010 and plays guitar and banjo. Greg O'Haver, who has also been with the band since 1967. The "mom" of the group is Becky Jo Benson, who is one of the youngest members since 1997, and Randy says she has invested more time in the group than anyone except him. Sue Harris is known as the best girl type entertainer in the group according to recent band mem- ber Dolan Ellis, who retired, but is still known as the Official Balladeer for Arizona. The group received a Gold Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in 2009. The group has had many hits over the many years they have been en- tertaining audiences all over the world. These include "This Land is Your Land", "Green Green", Today", "Saturday Night", "Mighty Mississippi", "Cotton Fields", "Ramblin" and "Just an American", as well as several new songs that have been recently released. Randy also wrote "Hi Jolly" and "Set your sights on Quartzsite" just for the shows here as a tribute to our history and our winter season visitors. They will be playing at the Q.I.A. on January 13 for two shows--2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Q.I.A. office during office hours. They will also be available the day of the concerts at the ticket window just before the concerts. This will be the 10th year they have been coming to Quartzsite to entertain us, and they always do wonderful shows--be sure to get your tickets and get there early for a good seat!! MINSTRELS FROM PAGE 8 TOOLS And a bunch of other cool stuff you should buy, even if you don't need it! Burley's TOOLS Jacks • Air Compressors Hardware • Wrenches Sockets • Grinders • Saws Sanders • Hammers Mining Tools • Landscape Plumbing • Paint Supplies Many Specialty Items! Whether you've lost it, loaned it or left it at home... WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED! AIR, POWER & HAND TOOLS FOR YOUR AUTO, HOME, UTV & RV BETTER TOOLS BETTER PRICES NEXT TO K B Tyson Wells Market 928-377-7108

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