User:Donmussell

Judy Mayhan

Judy Mayhan is a singer and songwriter, living in Mendocino County, California. Judy was born and raised in the Midwest, where she studied classical piano and voice, ultimately majoring in Voice/Theatre at the University of Kansas. In 1960 she made her way to New York City. She found a job in Alan Block's sandal-making shop and fell into the beginning of the folk music scene in Greenwich Village.

Dave Van Ronk befriended Judy and introduced her to the Appalachian mountain dulcimer. Judy honed her talents along with contemporaries like Bob Dylan, Hoyt Axton, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Bob Gibson, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Peter, Paul and Mary and countless others.

In 1962 Judy travelled to California with Hoyt Axton, performing in San Francisco and Los Angeles, including the Troubadour Folk Club, where she was offered the chance to make a folk music album. After the album release, she appeared on the Steve Allen TV variety show. Judy went on to record two popular albums for Atco/Atlantic (Moments in 1970) and Decca (Judy Mayhan in 1971). They include her first original songs as well as covers penned by peers such as Lowell George and Fred Neil. During the ’70s and ’80s Judy continued to mature and grow, turning to jazz vocals and building a following of devoted fans.