“SWEET” JUDY BLUE EYES
In August of 2003, we were booked to perform at the Minnesota State Fair. We shared the bill with Judy Collins, who was also showcasing a couple of up-and-coming female performers. The plan was for Judy and her acolytes to open the show, then we would take the stage for a set followed by a rendition of Judy’s signature song, “Amazing Grace,” featuring the whole ensemble.
We all took turns with a sound-check and then Judy directed how she wanted to stage the finale. We ran through “Amazing Grace” one time and then broke for dinner. As we were tuning up for the show, I approached Judy’s manager and asked him if he thought Judy would mind if I played my musical saw on “Amazing Grace.” He said, “That sounds like a great idea, but let’s not tell her.” So at the end of the show as Judy came back out to join us, I moved over to the chair that we’d set up with a mic for me to play the saw.
As Judy began to sing, I played some long, sustained harmony notes that really sang out on top of everything. Judy heard what I was playing but couldn’t figure out what it was or where it was coming from, although she seemed to be OK with it. She finally looked stage left where I was seated and “saw” what I was up to. She kind of laughed and then asked me to take a solo. I obliged her with a cross-cut rendition of the tune, which elicited a rousing response from the crowd. After the show, she gave me a little hug and said, “Thanks for that nice surprise!” What a sweet compliment from a blue-eyed lady!
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