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Judy Collins    

Legendary Folk Singer & Activist

Judy Collins, a singer-songwriter, has been an influential figure in the music industry for over seven decades. Known for her diverse musical tastes, Collins has released a staggering 36 studio albums, nine live albums, and numerous compilations, covering genres from folk and country to pop and rock. Her first charting single, "Hard Lovin' Loser," paved the way for her international prominence with the lead single "Both Sides, Now" from her album "Wildflowers." Her recording of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns" marked the zenith of her career. Collins's rendition of "Amazing Grace" was so impactful that it was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2017. At the age of 80, she scored her first No. 1 album on an American Billboard Chart with "Winter Stories," a duet album with Norwegian singer Jonas Fjeld and Chatham County Line.

Collins's extensive career has not been limited to singing. She has also made significant contributions as a social activist. Her engagements with social activism have been reflected in her music, such as her ballad in honor of Che Guevara, her support for the Yippie movement, and her advocacy for suicide prevention, abortion rights, and the abolition of landmines. In 1987, she released her first memoir, "Trust Your Heart," and has since published a novel, "Shameless," and another memoir, "Singing Lessons: A Memoir of Love, Loss, Hope and Healing."

Over her lengthy career, Collins has received numerous awards and recognitions. She was nominated for an Academy Award for "Antonia: A Portrait of the Woman" in 1975 and has received multiple Grammy Award nominations, winning for "Both Sides, Now" in 1969. In 2009, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2019, she received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement and most recently, she received the International Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 UK Americana Awards.

Speech Topics


Singing Lessons: Judy Collins Looks Back & Ahead

Sanity & Grace: A Journey of Suicide, Survival & Strength

Women In Business

Morning, Noon & Night: My Approach to the Creative Process

Everyone has some innate creativity, but have you ever wondered how creative genius is nurtured and maintained? Even the most gifted artist has to work. Hard. Collins gives an enthralling glimpse into the creative mind of a woman known for her songs, books, and watercolors. By carefully describing her approach to the creative process and breaks down each day of that process into morning, noon, and night, she offers insight into how to stay creative throughout the entire day.

A charming storyteller, Collins engaging anecdotes about her life and the struggles she faced reveal not only her creative life, but also about her personal journey.

The Healing Power of Art & Music

This is an intimate program that will take the viewer on Collins' own personal journey into creativity as she explores the healing power of art and music. It is about bringing creativity into your daily life in order to enhance the quality of life, even for those who do not consider themselves to be "artistic." Collins will discuss how anyone can bring this natural healing power into his own life, and how to gain access to your body's healing wisdom through music and art. Art and music can "move" painful, stress-producing emotions outside of your body, can help heal the pain in your life. Art and music, called "the medicine of the future" can help improve immune system function, alleviate depression and relieve pain. She leaves you with the inspiration and the tools to tap into your own deep well of creativity.

News


Judy Collins: On the charts again, and performing at Kents Hill
Folk legend Judy Collins thrives on touring, excited to play Tuscaloosa
Collins says she'll sing plenty of the classics but also material from her latest album "Bohemian." At 74, she says she still thrives on touring and plays about 120 ...
Judy Collins Plays the Café Carlyle - NYTimes.com
Judy Collins is singing her hits and displaying her range during an engagement at the Caf? Carlyle.

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