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Folk Concert Will Raise Money For Two Pasco Charities

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By SHERRI LONON IN THE LOOP

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 21, 2009

Area residents who missed Randy Sparks in concert last year because tickets sold out so fast have two new chances to see the folk legend when he returns to town in February.

Sparks will once again perform at Tims Memorial Presbyterian Church, 601 Sunset Lane in Lutz, to benefit two central Pasco County charities. He will take the stage Feb. 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. both nights.

Although best known as the founder of The New Christy Minstrels, Sparks will appear with the Cockamamie Quartet, Minus One, which is also known as Randy Sparks' One-Man-Show (with three people). The concerts will benefit Christian Social Services of Land O' Lakes and Central Pasco Habitat for Humanity.

The New Christy Minstrels were a popular act during the 1960s and beyond. The group's members traveled the world, were seen on television and put out well over a dozen albums. Made famous by such songs as "Ramblin'," "This Land Is Your Land" and "Green Green," the group launched not only its founding members' careers, but also Kenny Rogers'. He was a member of the group for a time along with the three performers who would go on to form The First Edition band.

Sparks' first appearance in Lutz to benefit the two charities sprang out of a friendship the musician formed with Tims Memorial Folk Group member Dan Johnson. As a child, Johnson's favorite group was The New Christy Minstrels. About eight years ago, Johnson made an attempt to track down member Clarence Treat over the Internet, but found an e-mail address for Minstrel Art Podell instead. When Podell put Johnson in touch with Treat, a friendship formed not only with him, but also with other members of the group.

During a 2008 appearance of the full group in South Florida, Sparks offered to do a scaled-back show in Lutz on very short notice.

"In four weeks, we put together this concert for Randy Sparks and friends and 175 to 180 people showed up," said Johnson, who has played along with Sparks on several occasions. He was invited to take part in a full reunion concert as well.

"It was a chance of a lifetime," he said.

Johnson has been the leader of Tims Memorial's folk group for the last 18 years and plays banjo. His group will open for Sparks Feb. 7 and the Twang Gang will open Feb. 6.

For Charlie Reese, a board member of Habitat for Humanity of Central Pasco, the concert's return is great news.

"Our habitat affiliate is totally volunteer, 100 percent," he said. "We don't even have an office and virtually no overhead. Everything we raise goes into the homebuilding projects."

With only three or four fundraisers a year, the concert is a big boost to the group's funding, he said. "It's critical to us in terms of getting another home built for another local family."

The habitat group serves families in both central Pasco and northern Hillsborough counties.

"It's an important event and it's a fun event," Reese said.

Jacquie Petet of Christian Social Services agreed. That agency services residents in central Pasco and northern Hillsborough who are in need of food and other assistance. It also operates a thrift store to raise money.

"It's important to us," said Petet. "The number of people we serve is on the rise and who knows what the future will hold. We certainly do need the money and what a fun way to get it."

Tickets for the concerts are on sale for $20. To reserve tickets for pick up, call Christian Social Services at (813) 995-0088, Dan Johnson at (813) 949-7335 or Charlie Reese at (813) 949-1331. Sponsorships also are still available for the event. Contact Johnson for information on becoming a sponsor.

Editor Sherri Lonon can be reached at (813) 948-4287 or slonon@mediageneral.com.

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