New Christy Minstrels Alumni Trivia Quiz

Answer: Gene Clark

Missouri native Gene Clark was performing at the Castaways Lounge in Kansas City in 1963 when he was hired by the New Christy Minstrels. He performed with them for less than a year before relocating to Los Angeles, meeting fellow folk-rocker Roger McGuinn and becoming a founding member of the Byrds.

In addition to playing the guitar and harmonica with the band he composed or co-wrote several of their hits including "Eight Miles High", "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better" and "Set You Free This Time". Los Angeles native David Crosby worked in Greenwich Village with Les Baxter's Balladeers and recorded his first solo effort in 1963 before joining up with the Byrds. Spokane native Michael Clarke hitchhiked to Los Angeles to be part of the music scene and became the drummer for The Byrds in 1964. Ironically, Byrds' bass player Chris Hillman had performed with an offshoot band of the New Christy Minstrels called The Green Grass Revival before joining The Byrds. McGuinn was also recruited but decided to work with Bobby Darin before The Byrds was formed.

Answer: Kim Carnes

Kim Carnes joined The New Christy Minstrels in 1967. While with the group she married songwriting collaborator Dave Ellingson. She released an eponymous debut album in 1975 that featured her first hit, "You're A Part Of Me." In 1980 she released "Don't Fall in Love With a Dreamer" with Kenny.

The song reached Number Four on the US Billboard charts and topped out at Number Three on the Country Charts.Kim followed up with her biggest hit, "Bette Davis Eyes", the following year. In 1983 Kenny and Sheena Easton covered Bob Seger's "We've Got Tonight". "Every Time Two Fools Collide" was one of several duets Kenny recorded with Dottie West.

In 1983 "Islands in the Stream" with Dolly Parton became one of Kenny's biggest selling duets.

Answer: Karen Black

Karen Black was was born Karen Ziegler in Park Ridge, Illinois. She was a gifted student but left the academic world to pursue a career in the arts. She was part of The New Christy Minstrels in the sixties before heading to Broadway and doing Shakespeare parts until she was cast in "Easy Rider" (1969). Margot Kidder become known for her role as Lois Lane in the "Superman" series of films. One of Susan Sarandon's first major roles was in the 1975 cult favorite, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". Goldie Hawn trained as a dancer and first came to national attention as part of the "Rowan and Martin Laugh-In" ensemble beginning in the late sixties.

Answer: The Association

Hawaiian-born Larry Ramos played several instruments but was a banjo player during his tenure with The New Christy Minstrels. He recorded an unsuccessful solo effort after leaving the band.
The Association had their first Top Ten in the US in 1966 with "Along Comes Mary" and followed with the Number One "Cherish" later the same year. When founding member Jules Alexander left the Association, Larry Ramos replaced him. The first hit that Larry sang on was the 1967 Number One hit, "Windy". "Never My Love" was a Number Two hit the same year. Larry has continued to remain with the band through the successive decades and personnel changes.
Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band actually canceled their appearance at the festival. Quicksilver Messenger Service performed on Saturday and Janis Joplin performed with Big Brother and The Holding Company on Sunday.

Answer: Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)

Terry Williams and Thelma Camacho left the group along with Mike Settle and Kenny Rogers to form The First Edition in 1967. After signing with Reprise Records they had their first Top Ten hit when "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" reached Number Five the same year.
Mike Settle wrote "But You Know I Love You", a Top Twenty for the group in 1968. "Reuben James" only reached Number 26 in 1969 and "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" was a Top Ten for the group in the Summer of 1969.
The group had several hits before breaking up in the mid-seventies. Kenny Rogers began a successful solo career when "Lucille" was released in 1975.
Mike Settle went on to work in journalism and became a music critic. Opera-trained Thelma Comacho subsequently released solo efforts. Terry Williams enjoyed a career singing Christian music.

Answer: Terry Anne Meeuwsen

Miss Wisconsin Terry Anne Meeuwsen was a member of the new Christy Minstrels and went on to a career in television in her home state in 1978. Eight years later she left the media business to begin a family. In the late eighties she became affiliated with the Christian Broadcasting Network and became a so-host of "The 700 Club" with Pat Robertson in 1993.

She has authored four books and released a recording titled "Eyes of My Heart". Rebecca King was Miss America in 1974. Dorothy Benham was Miss America and went on to a singing career on Broadway. Miss Texas Shirley Cothran won the crown in 1975.

Answer: Keith Barbour

New York Native Keith Barbour left the New Christy Minstrels in 1969 to pursue a solo career. He signed with Epic records and recorded the "Echo Park" album. His only Top Forty hit was the "Echo Park" single from the album.
"Can I Change My Mind" was a 1969 Number Five by Tyrone Davis. Joe Simon had a Top Twenty release with "The Chokin' Kind" the same year and "Jealous Kind of Fella" went to Number 20 for Garland Green.

Answer: Eve of Destruction

The Byrds were originally offered "Eve of Destruction" but declined to record the song. The Turtles also recorded a version on their 1965 "It Ain't Me Babe" album before Barry McGuire released it as a solo effort. Barry recorded the song in one take and it began getting airplay within a week of recording, eventually topping the charts. Barry went on to a career in Christian music but continued to include the song in his repertoire.

It was his only solo US Top Forty single. "A Change Is Gonna Come" was recorded by Sam Cooke in 1965. Bobby Vinton had a Top Forty in 1965 with "What Color is A Man?". "Dawn of Correction" was an answer song to "Eve of Destruction" recorded by The Spokesmen that hit the charts while "Eve of Destruction" was still on the charts.

Answer: Bob Buchanon

Bob Buchanon was a member of The New Christy Minstrels before working with Parsons. Parsons had formed The International Submarine Band in an effort to enter the Folk music scene and get his compositions on movie soundtracks. When the band dissolved, Buchanon and Parsons played Los Angeles area venues as a duo.

When the band reformed Buchanon became a member and played rhythm guitar and sang backing vocals on their 1968 "Safe at Home" LP. The band dissolved when Parsons was invited to work with The Byrds later the same year. P.F. Sloan wrote "Eve of Destruction" as well as other sixties hits. Mike Crumm and Mick Clough were party of The Back Porch Majority.

Answer: Baxter Taylor

Baxter Taylor formed The Wayfarers Trio in 1959 with Cheatwood and Williams. In 1961 The Wayfarers Trio recorded an album titled "Songs of the Blue and the Gray" for Mercury Records. Taylor joined The New Christy Minstrels the following year. After leaving the New Christy Minstrels Taylor became a teacher and operated a recording studio in Texas. Taylor collaborated with Shel Silverstein as a songwriter on "Marie Lavaux". Bobby Bare Sr, recorded a version of "Marie Lavaux", in 1973. Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show Band had recorded the song two years earlier as the flip side to "Sylvia's Mother". New Christy Minstrels member Barry Kane was never a member of The Wayfarers Trio.