Judy Collins
Few singers have the staying power of folk icon, Judy Collins. For nearly 45 illustrious years, her dulcet tones have graced our ears, and her poetic lyrics have galvanized a generation. She has released more than 40 albums, has had numerous Top 10 hits, Grammy nominations and gold and platinum selling albums.
June 2005 welcomed a new book from Judy, Morning, Noon and Night: Living the Creative Life in which she shares her own experiences, and seeks to help anyone who wants to focus on their creativity, productivity and enjoyment in their creative projects.
Judy's early musical background was classical piano. Her father, Chuck Collins, was a singer, composer and broadcaster during the golden age of radio. At 13, Judy made her public debut performing Mozart's "Concerto for Two Pianos." But the music of such artists as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, and the traditional songs of the folk revival, sparked Judy's love of lyrics and, by 16, she had moved from playing the Steinway to playing guitar and was soon singing at folk clubs in Colorado and New York.
As the Sixties grew more rebellious, Judy was drawn to songs by the social poets of the time: Tom Paxton, Phil Ochs and Bob Dylan. She was the first to record the songs of Leonard Cohen and brought other performers like Randy Newman and Joni Mitchell to widespread public exposure.
Her 1966 album In My Life started her international career, and her next album Wildflowers gave Judy her first major single, "Both Sides Now" and the first of many Grammy nominations. The hits kept coming with "Someday Soon", "Send In The Clowns" and "Amazing Grace" among them.
In 1995 Judy Collins became a UNICEF Special Representative for the Arts. Driven to action by an unjust war, Judy wrote "Song For Sarajevo", and in May of 1999 she participated in the 100th Anniversary of the HAGUE PEACE Conference.
Released in 2003, Judy's book, Sanity and Grace, A Journey of Suicide, Survival and Strength, is a deeply moving memoir, focusing on the death of her only son and the healing process following the tragedy.
Judy Collins is truly the definition of a living legend. Her influence in music and politics has spread over decades. Her vocal interpretations have inspired millions. From the time she discovered folk music in 1961 to her current new albums, new songs, television specials, books and work with UNICEF and landmines, Judy has always remained creative and vibrant as an artist.
Judy maintains a rigorous 60-80 city concert schedule annually, and is looking forward with immense enthusiasm to her tour 2006 "downunder". Details on upcoming shows, and her other interests, can always be found at www.judycollins.com.
| Itinerary | |
| APRIL 2006 | |
| 06 | BRISBANE - Concert Hall |
| 08 | MELBOURNE - Hamer Hall |
| 09 | SYDNEY - Opera House |
| 10 | CHRISTCHURCH - Town Hall |
| 11 | WELLINGTON - Michael Fowler Centre |
| 12 | AUCKLAND - Aotea Centre |
