There’s a good reason certain songs are considered classics; they reflect more than the era in which they were written. A true classic can stand up to anything contemporary and still sound fresh and relevant, and that’s the sound of The New Christy Minstrels.

While center stage at the Palace, the group will perform the same great music which helped create their Grammy-winning debut album so many years ago. Music that is still relevant today.

Minstrels’ fans are sure to remember their hits including Green Green, This Land is Your Land, Mighty Mississippi, and The Drinkin’ Gourd (The Muddy Road To Freedom). And now, The New Christy Minstrels bring a breath of fresh air to these classic tunes making them sound brand new.

Under the direction of Randy Sparks, The New Christy Minstrels have been performing crowd-pleasing folk music for over 40 years. Since their national television debut on “The Andy Williams Show” in 1962, the group has brought excitement to Carnegie Hall, The Coconut Grove in L.A., The Latin Quarter in New York City and now the Marion Palace Theatre.

The New Christy Minstrels “bring a unique style of music to the stage” according to Palace Executive Director, Elaine Merchant. “It has a down to earth feel; music and lyrics everyone can relate to.”

The New Christy Minstrels began thanks to founder Randy Sparks’ admiration of legendary American songwriter, Stephen Foster. Foster’s original Christy Minstrels were a traveling singing group he hired in the 19th century to help promote his music. Reading this in Foster’s biography, Sparks followed Foster’s lead. Sparks formed his own group of musicians that helped put Sparks’ music on the national stage. And now, nearly a half century later, the country is still singing along.

While they’ve had many hits, they’ve also had a variety of talented musicians as members of the New Christy Minstrels. Original members making appearances include Randy Sparks, Barry McGuire, Clarence Treat, Jackie Miller Davidson, Art Podell, and Dolan Ellis. With so many long-term members, the audience is treated to an authentic sound.

Rounding out the current group are Becky Jo Benson, Buffalo Bill Boycott, Chuck Cole, and Jennifer Lind Smith. Some well known past members include Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes, and actress Karen Black.

Tickets are $20 and $24 and are available at the box office at 270 W. Center St. in downtown Marion or by calling 740/383-2101 to charge by phone. Box office hours are 9:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday, 9:00am-noon Saturday, and closed Sunday. Visit www.marionpalace.org 24 hours a day for information.