Grammy award-winning singer Judy Collins will make a rare Nashville appearance at Dyer Observatory at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20.
A classically trained pianist, Collins made her public performance debut at the age of 13 but her interests later turned toward the music of the early 1960s folk revival.
She redirected her focus to playing acoustic guitar and moved to the heart of the folk scene in Greenwich Village. Making the rounds of coffee houses and clubs, Collins eventually received a recording contract with Elektra, releasing her first album, A Maid of Constant Sorrow, in 1961.
Throughout her career Collins helped introduce the works of songwriters to the mainstream including Leonard Cohen ("Suzanne," "Bird on a Wire") and Joni Mitchell ("Both Sides Now"). Her recording of "Both Sides Now" earned Collins a Grammy for Best Folk Performance in 1968.
Collins has recorded nearly three dozen albums including her most recent project, Portrait of an American Girl, which includes six original songs. Additionally, she has published several books including The Seven T’s: Finding Hope and Healing in the Wake of Tragedy (2007) and Morning, Noon, and Night: Living the Creative Life (2005).
Appearing with Collins are Nashville-based songwriter Jon Vezner and singer-songwriter Amy Speace. In 1990, Vezner won a Grammy for Best Country Song, "Where’ve You Been" (co-written with Don Henry). The song also was named the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music’s Song of the Year and Vezner was named Songwriter of the Year by Nashville Songwriters Association International. His songs have been recorded by Reba McEntire, Ronnie Milsap, Lorrie Morgan and Janis Ian. In recent years Vezner has produced CD projects for Patti Page, Victoria Shaw and Danny O’Keefe.
New York-based artist Amy Speace has won a loyal grassroots following and critical acclaim in just a few short years. Speace released her first solo album, Fable, in 2002. In 2006, she released the critically acclaimed Songs for Bright Street on Collins’ Wildflower Label.
Gates will open at 5 p.m. for the show and visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket, lawn chairs and pack a picnic basket. After the show, visitors can linger to stargaze using the observatory’s Seyfert telescope. Carload ticket pricing is $120 for the general public and $90 for Bluebird on the Mountain season ticket holders and Dyer members. Each carload ticket allows up to eight people in the vehicle. No RV’s or buses will be admitted.
Dyer Observatory is located at 1000 Oman Drive, off Granny White Pike between Old Hickory Blvd. and Otter Creek Road, near Radnor Lake. A map is available at www.dyer.vanderbilt.edu/directions.htm.
Media Contact: Chris Skinker, (615) 322-NEWS
chris.skinker@vanderbilt.edu