In July 1962, the Christys got a one-week gig at the Troubadour that turned into a three-month gig due to popular demand. Other notable members over the years included Paul Potash, Gene Clark (Byrds and solo), Ann White, Karen Gunderson, Jerry Yester (Modern Folk Quartet, Lovin' Spoonful), Mike Settle (First Edition), Kim Carnes and Kenny Rogers (First Edition and solo).Roger (Jim) McGuinn (Byrds and solo) almost joined the group at one point, but decided to go with the Chad Mitchell Trio instead. Over the years, the lineup would change, members coming and going. “So, all of a sudden, Randy was scrambling for people to make a performing group, and I was one of the first members.” The members of the original performing group known as the New Christy Minstrels were: Randy Sparks, Art Podell, Barry McGuire, Barry Kane, Nick Woods, Larry Ramos (later of The Association), Clarence Treat, Dolan Ellis, Jackie Miller and Gail Caldwell. “A lot of the guys who had worked on the four presentation songs for Columbia were already in groups and couldn’t get out of those commitments,” Barry recalls. Randy Sparks had put the Christys together as a studio ensemble, and had already done four songs and were set to perform at a Vic Damone special. In the Spring of 1962, Art Podell had asked them if they wanted to be part of the group, adding that they’d have a lot of fun and make a lot of money.
People loved what Barry and Barry did on stage, and before long they were in the studio with Art Podell recording an album that was eventually released as “Here and Now!” But before “Here and Now!” had even hit the racks, McGuire and Kane had joined the New Christy Minstrels.