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Meet the Minstrels

Here are the current members of the New Christy Minstrels!

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William Florian

Since 1977

  • 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!

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Dave Rankin

Since 1979

  • 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.

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Ed Stockton

Since 2015

  • 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!

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Emilea Wind

Since 2025

  • Grew up in: Burleson, Texas

  • Where is home now: Burleson, Texas

  • NCM instruments: Soprano Vocals

  • Another interesting thing about you: My name is actually pronounced Emily.  My parents couldn’t spell… (my mom LOVES that joke).  I have 2 amazing kids and have been married for 25 years.

  • Favorite NCM memory: I am new to the group but have been listening to the NCM since I was a small child. Gotta thank my mom for that as well! Looking forward to creating wonderful new memories.

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Tom Becker

Since 1979

  • 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.

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Sonny Franks

Since 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!!

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Minette Bryant

Since 2024

  • Grew up in: Shreveport, Louisiana

  • Where is home now: Jacksonville, TX

  • NCM instrument: Alto Vocals

  • 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!

© 2024 The New Christy Minstrels.

The New Christy Minstrels is a registered trademark of New Christy Minstrels Foundation, Inc.

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