Judith Allen Roderick was born in 1942, the fourth child of what would be six, to Howard and Emily Roderick of Grosse Ile, Michigan.
1964
In 1964, Lee Silberstein saw a 19-year-old folk singer from Boulder, Colorado, perform at the Philly Folk Festival and offered to get her signed with Columbia. Bobby Scott was assigned to produce and Judy Roderick released her first album, Ain't Nothin' But the Blues.
1965
In 1965, Maynard Solomon signed Judy to Vanguard Records and a second album, Woman Blue, was recorded, with accompaniment by two of her close friends, both guitarists, Dick Weissman and Artie Traum. Santa Cruz poet, Maude Meehan, described it well: ". . . with all those subtle glissandos, that smoldering soul sound, those growls and tender vibratos, so inimitable to Judy. There just isn't a voice I've ever heard with such versatility, and raw power and emotion, sass and sex, and hurt. She makes me laugh, she makes me cry."
1966
In 1966, Woman Blue was released in the United Kingdom on the Fontana label and a promotional trip was arranged. Judy performed at Broadside Folk Club, Strand Hotel, Jug O' Punch Folk Club, Newton Club, Anglia TV, on Grampia TV and in the Cambridge Folk Festival.
1972
In 1972 Judy signed with Atco, an Atlantic subsidiary, and produced Nevada Jukebox, with Bill Szymczyk, producer and Bill Ashford, associate producer. You can purchase Nevada Jukebox from Collector's Choice Music.
1973
In 1973, Judy moved to Grantsdale, Montana with friend and sax player, Dexter Payne. The two of them joined a swing band, The Big Sky Mudflaps, and played on several of their albums.
1982
In 1981 and 1982, Judy and the "Flaps" were invited to perform at the Kool Jazz Festival, once in Rye, NY and next in Saratoga. In both years they were featured on the Today Show, in NYC.
1982
In 1983, Judy and Dexter Payne created an R&B band, "Judy Roderick & The Forbears." This group included Don DeBacker, "Washboard" Chaz Leary and Tim Martin. Once more, Judy took the musicians to the East Coast, playing the Philly Folk Festival, The Bottom Line in NYC and Jonathan Swifts in Boston. A gig shared with Dr. John at the Lone Star Cafe in NYC was a special event, which led to Dr. John guest appearing on Judy's third recording, Judy Roderick and the Forbears.
1992
On January 22, 1992, Judy died of a heart attack from complications due to diabetes.
1993
In 1993 Woman Blue was reissued by Vanguard, A Welk Music Group Company.
2008
The reissue of Judy Roderick & The Forbears with special guest Mac Rebennack (Dr. John) has been re-mastered and is currently available on CD under the title, When I'm Gone. Please go here www.DexterPayne.com to place your order.
