Meet the Minstrels

Grew up in: California, Oregon, Kansas

Where is home now: San Mateo, CA, and Sutter Creek, CA

NCM instruments: Banjo, Ukulele, Guitar, Autoharp, Accordion, Tambourine, Soprano Vocals

Another interesting thing about you: I am an actress, quilter, artist each in songwriting and water colors, acrylics.

Favorite NCM memory: My twenty-three years as assistant and friend of Randy Sparks.

Grew up in: Glen Ellyn, IL

Where is home now: Pawleys Island, SC

​NCM instruments: 6 and 12 String Guitar

Another interesting thing about you: Having always loved the outdoors, I recently discovered the Jananese practice of “Shinrin-Yoku”., also known as Forest Bathing or Forest Therapy. Studies have shown it can improve your physical and mental health by reducing the effects of stress on your body. I’m on a quest to learn more and maybe become a Forest Therapy guide.

Favorite NCM memory: Our New Year’s Eve performance at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego. After the show we all got in our tour bus headed to Pasadena. We arrived just in time to get on a float and perform in the Rose Bowl Parade of 1980.

Grew up in: Mesquite, Texas

Where is home now: Texas

NCM instruments: Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin and Harmonica

Another interesting thing about you: I have a 34 year old daughter, a 21 year old stepdaughter and an 8 year old son.

Favorite NCM memories: Ice skating on a lake behind Tom’s parents’ house. Taking a jet lag  walk through Lenzburg, Switzerland with Curtis Coleman at 5am. Realizing that the old woman sitting with us at a table at the Fontainebleau hotel in Florida was actually Rita Moreno! Sid buying us all lunch at the little Japanese restaurant across from the rehearsal hall on La Cienega Blvd. A chance encounter during a lunch break with Muhammad Ali walking down La Cienega Blvd. Trying to find a place to play tennis with John Weirick in Cannes, France. And many more!!

Grew up in: Shreveport, Louisiana

Where is home now: Jacksonville, TX

NCM instrument: Autoharp

Another interesting thing about you: I hold a doctorate in Western Literature. If you see me after the show, ask me where Aristotle thinks babies come from!

Favorite NCM memory: Boot Camp 2024!

Grew up in: CT

Where is home now: California, Florida, and on the road!

NCM instrument: Guitar

Another interesting thing about you: Love walking and pickle ball!

Favorite NCM memory: It was always very exciting to sing the hit song ‘Today’ for the large audiences. Such a beautiful song written by Randy Sparks. And since he wasn’t touring at the time… I got to sing the solo during the 70s! Wow! Nightly goosebumps!

Grew up in: Central Texas

Where is home now: Dallas-Fort Worth area

NCM instrument: Bass

Another interesting thing about you: I was a security guard for Van Halen & David Lee Roth

Favorite NCM memory: Driving through the Canadian Rockies in a full on blizzard after a 2 week Christy Tour.

Grew up in: MO and Pittsburgh, PA

Where is home now: Harrisburg, PA

NCM instruments: 6-string and 12-string guitars and banjo

Another interesting thing about you: I am a worship leader and deacon at my church

Favorite NCM memory: On my first tour, we were playing at a gorgeous old venue in Pittsfield, MA. Throughout the show Randy had made a very big deal about how I had “saved the tour” by stepping in at the last minute, so for the encore he turned to me and said, “Ed, why don’t you play one for them?”  <<Panic!>>  I remembered a song I often closed my own shows with, and I realized that the song’s last verse was perfect.  I sang the song … and then we got another standing ovation!