Judy Collins and Leo Kottke

Few singers have the staying power of folk icon Judy Collins, whose dulcet tones and poetic lyrics have galvanized audiences for nearly 45 years.

A self-proclaimed “American Idol” of 1957, Judy’s influence in music and politics has spread over decades, inspiring millions. As a classically trained pianist, Judy made her public debut at 13 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. Soon she was singing at the folk clubs in Denver, Boulder and Central City in Colorado. Heading east, she sang at the Gate of Horn in Chicago, and in New York at the Greenwich Village folk clubs. It was there, after an appearance at The Village Gate in 1961, that Jac Holzman of Elektra Records signed Judy to what was to become a thirty-five year involvement with the company, beginning with her first three albums of traditional material.

Her 1966 album In My Life had her stepping assuredly into a broad mixture of songs, a characteristic that has stamped her albums ever since On her next album Wildflowers, she asked Joshua Rifkin to arrange the entire album for orchestra, breaking new ground in the contemporary song movement. Today, it’s regarded as a turning point in her career, giving Judy her first major single, “Both Sides Now” and earning her the first of many Grammy nominations.

In 1972, Judy released the renowned collection Colors of the Day. For over 30 years, the album has remained one of WEA’s Top 50 catalogue albums. It is also the album most noted by her number one fan, President William J. Clinton, who says it was Judy’s version of “Chelsea Morning” that inspired the naming of his daughter, Chelsea.

Judy kicked off the 1990’s with the inspired Fires of Eden, a collection of mostly her won songwriting, including Judy’s “new” classic song, “The Blizzard.” Soon after, Judy recorded an all-Bob Dylan album, Judy Collins Sings Dylan: Just Like a Woman, which garnered rave reviews. In 1995 Judy turned her focus outward and became a UNICEF Special Representative for the Arts and campaigns on behalf of the abolition of landmines. Then, following the death of her son, she became a strong advocate of suicide prevention.

In 1999 she started her own independent label, Wildflower Records where several collaborating musicians are currently represented. In 2005, Judy released a long-awaited new album, Portrait of an American Girl, her first studio album in eight years. As has become one of her trademarks, Judy has recorded an eclectic group of songs for this album, which includes personal songs she has written on her own, along with resounding covers of such songs as the Motown hits “Sally Go ‘Round the Roses,” Train’s “Drops of Jupiter” and Bruce Cockburn’s “Pacing the Cage.”

Guitar virtuoso Leo Kottke, who combines jazz, folk and blues elements in a uniquely infused style, is widely known for his idiosyncratic finger picking style and syncopated, polyphonic melodies. His work is often considered part of the American Primitivism movement, partly because he was signed to John Fahey’s Takoma Records label and unconventional guitar tuning. Still best known for his 1969 instrumental album 6- and 12-String Guitar, Leo has overcome a series of personal obstacles including partial deafness and a nearly career-ending bout with tendon damage to emerge as a widely-recognized master of his instrument.

Kottke has collaborated on his records with his mentor John Fahey, as well as with Chet Atkins, Lyle Lovett, Margo Timmins, and Rickie Lee Jones. He has recorded tunes by Tom T. Hall, Johnny Cash, Carla Bley, Fleetwood Mac, The Byrds, Jorma Kaukonen, Kris Kristofferson, Randall Hylton, and many others. He is also a frequent guest on the radio variety program A Prairie Home Companion