Judy Collins

MYFOXNY.COM - "The Wizard of Oz" was the inspiration for Grammy-award winning singer Judy Collins' latest project. Her new children's book, "Over The Rainbow," also includes a CD featuring Collins' version of the song made famous by Judy Garland.

PROJECT INFORMATION

For more than five decades, Judy Collins has thrilled audiences worldwide with her superlative soprano and her unique blend of interpretative folksongs and contemporary themes. Enjoying a career full of accolades, including a Grammy Award and an Academy Award nomination, she continues to perform globally, and almost constantly, at age 70, while making time for social activism. She is also the author of several books, both fiction and nonfiction, and recently collaborated on a delightful and uplifting children's book.

"Over the Rainbow" (Peter Yarrow Books, an imprint of Imagine Publishing; Spring 2010; ISBN 10: 1-936140-00-4; ISBN 13: 978-1-936140-00-8 $17.95; Hardcover, with CD) is an enchanting picture book and 3-song CD set, featuring Judy Collins' version of the beloved song that Judy Garland made famous. Working on this project gave Collins "great pleasure." She was named for Judy Garland four months before "Over the Rainbow" came out on the radio in 1939. Her parents adored the song and played it at home, over and over, so it became little Judy's favorite lullaby. Now, Collins admits that "Over the Rainbow" has followed her, "like a bluebird," all her life and continues to make her feel "young and free and hopeful."

To coincide with the publishing of the book, Judy Collins will be releasing a new CD, entitled Paradise (which also includes her new recording of "Over the Rainbow") with guest performances by Stephen Stills and Joan Baez, among others. (A separate press release on the CD is attached.)

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