Talking Story With Judy Collins

Singer-songwriter and folk music legend Judy Collins will return to the Big Island for a single concert on Saturday, January 5, 2019, at the Honoka’a People’s Theatre (see ticket info below).

Collins has inspired audiences with exquisite vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal life victories, and a strong dedication to social activism. In the 1960s, she embodied both the idealism and unwavering determination of a generation united against social and environmental injustices. Fifty years later, her brilliance continues to shine as new generations enjoy the glow of her legendary 50-album catalog and draw inspiration from her discipline to succeed in the music business for half a century.

I caught up with Ms. Collins at her home in New York.

Aloha. We are all excited for your show in January at the Honoka’a People’s Theatre.

It'll be warm there. Right? Promise me.

It's been quite comfortable in the mid-70s with a nice tropical breeze. We’ve turned off the lava valve, so the vog is gone, and the sunsets are spectacular! 

I’m looking forward to it.

The last time you visited the Big Island, we experienced a false missile alert, and Trump was paying off a porn star. What kind of spectacle are you bringing this time?

Oh, my God! Yes, I remember that. I was in the car driving to the airport, and I heard the report. And we said, ‘Well, let's just go to the airport as we planned.’ 

I will definitely be working on some new songs and sharing stories from my life, and we'll see what happens. 

Are these tours of Hawaii becoming a regular event for you?

They seem to be. I have a promoter out there who appears to like me, and I perform well, so it's a good opportunity for me and makes me very happy to be there.

Are you bringing any musicians with you this time?

It's just Russell Walden and me—my musical director. We put on a pretty impressive show.

Tell me about your recent single “Dreamers.”

I wrote this while watching TV one afternoon when a young woman talked about her mother being an immigrant, a “dreamer,” and that she might have to leave the country. She was pretty sure she would be deported. Of course, the song connects to the whole issue of immigration here, and people are responding very positively to it. It's all about where we're at. I mean, it's not just our problem, but in a way, we have a bigger responsibility because everyone in this country is an immigrant.

Most countries have some native population who established the inhabitation, whether it's on land or offshore. But everyone here, except the American Indians, came from somewhere else. And I'm not so sure about them. We're in a unique position to not act badly, but to lead the way, solve issues, and make it possible to maintain our historic welcome to the stranger, the newcomer. We just have to learn how to do that. We have to resolve ourselves to get past it. 

One of our readers wants to know if you ever crossed paths with Jimi Hendrix?

I held a large fundraiser concert in New York, but it's also historic in another way. Jimi Hendrix and I shared the bill at the 1967 Rheingold Festival in Central Park, New York. That was the concert where I brought Leonard Cohen to the show and told him he had to sing “Suzanne” by himself. I had already recorded “Suzanne,” and it was a big hit everyone loved. I insisted he go out and perform it. I pushed him on stage to sing. Of course, he said, “I can't sing, and I’m never gonna sing publicly because my voice is so terrible,” and I said, “No, it's not terrible, and it's quite wonderful.” He went out on stage and started singing the song, but halfway through, he burst into tears and walked off. I made him go back and finish the song with me.

And that was memorable because it was the first time he sang in public. From then on, he performed his own songs. Originally, he wanted others to sing his songs. He said he wanted to write for artists but then realized he was the artist. [laughs]

What projects or tours are in store for you in 2019?

Well, I've just finished 115 shows with Stephen Stills, as you may know. We wrapped that up a couple of weeks ago, and we're going to put it to rest because we need a break. We'll probably go back in 2020. This coming year, I have some concerts with a group called the Chatham County Line. They’re from Raleigh, North Carolina. We’re recording in February and will go on tour at the end of summer in Europe and the U.S. 

Mahalo for your time, and we’re all looking forward to your show in January at the Honoka’a People’s Theatre. We’ll save some good weather for you.

It was a pleasure, and I look forward to seeing you.

If You Go

 What: Judy Collins with Russell Walden in concert

When: Saturday, January 5, 2019. Doors: 6:00 p.m. Show: 7:00 p.m.

Where: Honokaa People’s Theatre, 45-3574 Mamane St., Honokaa

Info: Venue: 808-896-4845

Admission:  General: $50. Gold Circle: $75.

Tickets: Kona Music Exchange - Kailua Kona; Kiernan Music - Old Town Kainaliu; Waimea General Store - Parker Square, Kamuela; Top Stitch - Honoka’a; Hilo Ukulele & Guitar, Hilo Music Exchange, Hilo.

Online purchase: https://bluesbearhawaii.com/p/judy-collins-tour---2019 

To learn more about folk singer-songwriter Judy Collins and her 2019 touring schedule, check out her official homepage.

Photos: Steve Roby