Judy Collins was born to music; her father was a radio musician and performer; she herself has been performing since she was 10. Classically trained by conductor Antonia Brico, Judy's 1974 documentary [Portrait of a Woman] was nominated for Best Documentry, and is widely respected.Though she started with a classical repertoire, she discovered folk music -- traditional and new songs -- and the folk scene touched her. She begin to play in Colorado in her teens before moving to to New York's Greenwich Village.
It was while living and working in New york that Electra Records signed her; she was with the label for 35 years.
Judy was drawn to songs by the social poets of the time: Dylan, Ochs, others. Roger [then Jim] McGuinn wrote material for her, pre-Byrds. She also recorded what would become a Byrds signature tune, Pete Seeger's "Turn, Turn,Tturn."
Judy was the first artist to record Leonard Cohen's work; she had a hit with his "Suzanne." She also brought the talents of Joni Mitchell and Randy Newman to light.
Now with her own label, Wildflower Records, Judy is also active in work against land mines, and in promoting UNICEF.
