Artist description solo singer/songwriter

Music Style FOLK - COUNTRY

Musical Influences Emmylou Harris

Similar Artists Janis Joplin, Melissa Manchester

Artist History Judy Toy first began performing in public at coffeehouses and nightclubs in her native Portland, with a repertoire of country/folk standards and strong originals. Upon relocating to Los Angeles in the midst of the country/punk explosion which followed the major success of the group X, Judy joined the Creamers as lead guitarist. The band became a fixture on the local club scene, sharing the bill with other up-and-comers like Hole and Green Day. The Creamers soon signed a record deal with Sympathy for the Record Industry. After five singles and a full-length LP, and a European tour, Judy left the Creamers to form her own "country-rock" band, the Superkools, which toured the US and released two singles on Dionysus Records. While these early projects were successful, Judy had a desire to return to her more traditional roots. While still playing with the Superkools, Judy found a like-minded singer-songwriter named Suzanne Sherwin, with whom she formed the Darlins, a country duo. Judy and Suzanne both sang lead, but it was their shimmering harmonies that made this group so special. Once again Judy found herself signed to Sympathy, which released the Darlins' only record, a vinyl single of "Take Me Dancing" b/w "Heart the Size of Texas." In their travels, the Darlins opened for legends such as Sheb Wooley, Alison Krause and the Osbourne Brothers, while still maintaining an active profile on the L.A. acoustic folk/country scene. Music critic Natalie Nichols proclaimed that the Darlins were "sweet-as-pie traditional country that you should not miss." The Darlins appeared on the verge of a national breakthrough when they split in 1994. Suzanne moved to Nashville, where she pursues a songwriting career. Judy Toy, who also severed ties with the Superkools around this time, began performing exclusively as a solo artist. Judy Toy's repertoire of well-crafted original songs is served well by her unique voice, which has both a rustic-sounding lower register and a clear falsetto, and her accomplished guitar playing. And, oh yes, that is her real name!

Group Members JUDY TOY - vocals and acoustic guitarED TREE - acoustic & electric guitars, keyboards, production and mixTARAS PRODANIUK - bassPAUL INMAN - acoustic guitarROBERT DILL - drums

Instruments guitar

Albums 25¢ black and white

Location LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - USA

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