Judy Domeny Bowen

We asked Judy Domeny to our first Big Muddy, and she has remained a good friend to the festival ever since. The fourth of five children growing up on a farm outside of Springfield, Mo., Judy sang folk songs in a very natural and traditional place. Her clear, sweet voice and engaging sense of humor make her singing very much at home on stage as well. Poring through the Max Hunter Folk Song Collection in the public library, Judy developed a broad and deep command of traditional Ozark song. She also developed a reputation for hitting a stage with a wholesome presence (while every mother in the audience asked herself, “Why didn’t my son marry that woman?”) and then proceeding to sing some of the goriest songs in he traditional repertoire – sometimes keeping a running body count. More recently, Judy has turned to writing her own songs about her own life, primarily that as an elementary school art teacher. Her humorous “Teacher Therapy” album has touched the pulse of teachers all across the country.

Big Muddy for other years