Judy Collins on Touring, Leonard Cohen Friendship, Bob Dylan’s Influence, New Poetry, & Folk Revival

With a career spanning more than six decades, Judy Collins remains one of the most influential voices in modern music and culture. Since her breakout in the early 1960s, Collins has become a defining figure of the American folk revival, releasing over 55 albums, earning multiple Grammy nominations, and inspiring generations of singer-songwriters around the world.

Best known for timeless recordings like “Both Sides Now,” “Send in the Clowns,” and her era-shaping interpretations of traditional folk songs, Collins played a central role in elevating the voices of the movement’s most important writers. Her early championing of artists like Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell helped bring their work into the global spotlight, and her collaborations with Bob Dylan and the Greenwich Village scene cemented her place among folk music’s trailblazers.

In addition to her musical achievements, Collins is a celebrated author, activist, and poet. Her newest poetry collection, Sometimes It's Heaven, continues her lifelong exploration of storytelling, emotion, and the human experience.

In this interview, Collins opens up about her friendship with Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan’s impact on the evolution of folk music, how her father shaped her earliest artistic ambitions, why folk is reemerging today, and the advice she hopes young artists will carry forward. She also shares a glimpse of what fans can expect from her current tour and the stories that still inspire her to create.

🎟️ Catch Judy Collins on Tour:
https://www.judycollins.com/concerts

📘 Purchase her newest poetry collection, Sometimes It’s Heaven: https://www.simonandschuster.com/book...

#judycollins #folkmusic #leonardcohen #bobdylan #musicinterview

​​00:00 — Introduction
00:30 — Sometimes It’s Heaven (Poetry Collection)
02:24 — The Difference Between Writing Songs and Poems
02:51 — Friendship with Leonard Cohen & Songwriting
04:08 — Interpreting Music as Your Own & Her Father’s Influence
06:23 — Early Folk Community Influences
08:52 — Transition from Classical Piano to Folk Music
11:44 — Bob Dylan’s Songwriting & His Impact
13:30 — 2025 Touring Schedule
15:52 — Advice for Aspiring Artists

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