It has been more than 40 years since a group of young men and women made their national television debut on The Andy Williams Show in the fall of 1962.  That group, The New Christy Minstrels,would go on to win a Grammy for their debut recording, “Presenting The New Christy Minstrels.  Forty-fiveyears after it was founded in 1961 by Randy Sparks, the group has embarked on a mission to let their fans and the world know that The New Christy Minstrels are still singing.  Original members who still appear with the group include Randy Sparks, Barry McGuire, Clarence Treat, Jackie Miller Davidson, Art Podell, and Dolan Ellis.  This distinguished group of entertainers is supported by members of more recent vintage, a Minstrels tradition, and includes, Becky Jo Benson and Bill Boycott.

 

 

The group was christened the FIREBALLS® after their standing ovation performance of "Great Balls of Fire" at the Raton High School PTA talent contest in New Mexico, USA...January 1958. By the year's end they had auditioned for the late Norman Petty at his already internationally famous recording studio at 1313 W. 7th Street, Clovis, New Mexico, where it stands today - a monumental contribution to the birth of early Southwest style Rock & Roll.

In 2001 - The Fireballs were inducted into the Lubbock Buddy Holly Walk of Fame (this honor recognizes musicians who have made a major contribution to the music world).

On November 11th 2006, The Fireballs were inducted into the NEW MEXICO MUSIC HALL OF FAME

 

R. J. Vandygriff - The Cowbot Ain't Dead Yet

This Texas cowboy takes you from Lipscomb to Dalhart in this tribute to the American Cowboy. The powerful songs come from a one man, one act musical the Vandygriff performs and they are very much a story of ranching, rodeoing and cowboying. You feel as if you are traveling across the West with a cowboy as he makes his life journey. His fine instrumentation and voice blend into a collection that is an absolute keeper.

One of the Southwest United States' finest brass quintets, renowned for outstanding musicianship and the diversity of its repertoire.

The ensemble is composed of key members of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and other distinguished musicians from the Southwest.

Each member of EPB is also an educator and the ensemble has many performance programs which place an emphasis on education as well as entertainment. These programs have been presented to more than 100,000 students as part of EPB's "Brass in Class" series.

 

George & Barbara Staerkel with Bill Wells

Master musicians George and Barbara Staerkel. George is a former lead singer for the Tokens best known for their song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". He can play over 50 instruments and has a 5 octave vocal range. Barbara has the voice of an angel and can play anything with strings. George and Barbara are accompanied by their Guitarist Extraordinaire Bill Wells. Bill makes his double neck guitar, as well as his other guitars, sound simply amazing. A different show on each day, once you see the first, you'll come again and again

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      Bill Wells