Judy Whitmore Is Keeping The American Songbook Alive
History, nostalgia, and purpose are at the heart of Judy Whitmore’s new and enchanting song “Moonlight in Vermont.” Covering songs from the American Songbook is Judy’s personal project, as she aims to make history come alive through song. Her debut album “Can’t We Be Friends” is a heartfelt tribute to family and home and it reminds audiences of the truly awe-inspiring work of American’s greatest composers. Judy has had quite a career, and her story will remind you to chase your dreams. After putting her music career on hold to raise a family, Judy finally took the leap into singing in 2014 when she co-founded the cabaret group, ACT THREE. The trio brought timeless standards to life at legendary venues including Carnegie Hall and the Ritz Hotel in Paris. Their journey to Carnegie Hall was chronicled in the award-winning documentary film, Once Upon a Dream. Now, as a solo artist, Judy fills us in on all of her new projects and reflects on some of her greatest accomplishments as an artist and as a Board of Directors of Pacific Symphony. We’re excited to share our exclusive interview with Judy Whitmore below.
Where are you based?
After living in Aspen where the winter temperature regularly dropped below zero, and London where winter sunsets occurred not long after lunch, I am so happy to call Southern California home!
When did you first fall in love with singing?
I’m sure I learned to sing at the same time I learned to talk. When I was little, my mother would sing to me to wake me up, and then she and I would sing throughout the day...if we were in the kitchen, in the garden, and especially in the car. When I was growing up we went to Palm Springs quite often. It was a two-hour drive. My family never listened to the radio. We sang the whole way! By the time I was ten years old, I knew who George Gershwin and Cole Porter were.
We know that you have had lots of twists and turns in your career and that it always hasn’t been focused on music! You were once a pilot! Can you tell us about that?
I was always a nervous flyer. When I moved to Aspen, I decided to take flying lessons to help ease my fear. By the time I was halfway down the runway on my first lesson, I was hooked! I loved it! My closest neighbors were Annie and John Denver, who were also dear friends. A couple of hours after I did my first solo flight, I flew to New York with them on their Learjet. I sat in the cockpit for about an hour during that flight. That was when I set the goal for myself of becoming a jet pilot. After that, I went flying almost every day. After I got instrument rated, next came a twin-engine rating, and then I got my commercial pilot’s license. Along the way I got my license to fly hot-air-balloons and seaplanes. Two years after I took that first flight with John and Annie, I was thrilled when I became a Learjet Captain. I look back on that time of my life as a period of great adventure. I loved every minute of it!
How did you make your way from being a pilot to your cabaret group, ACT THREE?
After I moved back to Los Angeles, I continued to fly for six years. By that time I was producing theater and was considering going back to college to get a graduate degree. I didn’t think it was safe to be a “part-time” pilot, so it was time to move beyond flying. I like change. I’ve lived in many locations and have had several careers. I never view these changes as “losses,” but as great adventures. So, when my friend Lynn Wagner suggested returning to singing, I thought, “What a great idea!” It was a seamless transition.
What are some of your fondest memories from ACT THREE?
Prior to the formation of ACT THREE, we performed small shows with a pianist. When we decided to “go for it” as ACT THREE, we hired song arrangers and orchestrators, and performed our debut show, “Return to The Coconut Grove” with fifteen musicians at The Orange County Performing Arts Center. The Los Angeles Times did a story about us. It was a thrill. Everything I did with ACT THREE was fun and exciting–performing in New York, doing our show for the City of Beverly Hills’ Concerts in the Park program, even rehearsing. It was all wonderful!
Most recently you have transitioned to a solo career, and quite successfully! What made you decide to venture out on your own?
I had thought of doing a solo show for several years. In 2018 I created a cabaret act with stories and music about all the places I’ve lived and the careers I’ve had. It has received lovely reviews, so now as venues reopen after the pandemic, I’m looking forward to taking this show on the road.
Your first full-length debut album Can’t We Be Friends is built of songs that reimagine the Great American Songbook. Can you tell us about how you put this project together? Why did you choose to work with this material?
My grandfather was an important figure in my life. He was a violinist in the MGM Studio Orchestra, and he played on the soundtracks of all the great MGM musicals. The songs from these films have stood the test of time. They represent the finest work of America’s finest composers...a body of work that endures because of the heartfelt emotion they convey. This music is in my blood. The Great American Songbook means “home” and “family” to me. It is the soundtrack of my childhood.
Do you have a song from the album that you’re most proud of?
I believe “My Favorite Year” is the standout song on the album. Each time I perform it in front of a live audience, people approach me after the show to say how much they loved the song. I recently got a note from a woman whose husband had passed away ten years ago. She wrote that she is receiving a lot of comfort from this song. I thanked her, but the real credit goes to Michele Brourman who wrote this gorgeous song.
What has been the highlight of your solo career and what do you look forward to as you continue to create music?
While I was in college, I got a job singing background vocals for Capitol Records. Going back to Capitol Studios to record my own solo album was the thrill of a lifetime! I am really looking forward to going back to Capitol at the end of this summer to record an album of jazz with legendary musician Michael Lang.
What advice do you have for people when it comes to chasing their dreams?
Follow them. There is no guarantee you will always get what you want, but you will have had one hell of an adventure!
Cabaret has a rich history of being a part of a “night life” scene, whether casual or glamorous. What do you think will help that part of cabaret thrive after Covid?
We’ve all been pretty isolated for the last year – working from home, wearing yoga clothes on Zoom meetings. Many of us have been dreaming about putting on a nice outfit, doing our makeup, getting our hair done, and heading out for a night on the town. Now that the California Covid numbers are coming down, these activities will once again be possible. One of the things I love about cabaret is the connection between the performer and the audience. When I’m on stage, it’s like I’ve invited the audience into my living room for some conversation and music. That intimacy is just what people need right now, so I think the cabaret scene will be better that ever.
Jejune loves that you have been involved in supporting the arts for over 30 years! We would love to know more about how you got involved with the Dream Street Foundation. What is their mission and why is it important to you?
The Dream Street Foundation, which was founded by my sister and brother 30 years ago, provides summer camping experiences for children with cancer and other life–threatening illnesses. What makes Dream Street different from other similar organizations is that at Dream Street, no one gets paid. The entire staff is comprised of volunteers – counselors, therapists, cooks, nurses, doctors. All of these people donate their time, year after year, to create an unforgettable week for children who are too sick to attend regular summer camp. There are no corporate sponsors and no celebrity supporters. Dream Street board members work very hard each year to raise the funds to cover their budget. Dream Street has added programs for young adults at Canyon Ranch in Arizona and in the Berkshires. My sister, Patty, has been the camp director since it’s inception. She does an amazing job!
You’re also on the Board of Directors for The Pacific Symphony. You chaired their Opening Night event last fall in the middle of the pandemic, which we hear was the most successful opening night in the symphony’s history, despite it being virtual. Can you tell us a little bit about this experience?
When I agreed to chair the 2020 Opening Night event, I thought it would be like any other opening night – an elegant dinner followed by a marvelous concert. I had a moment of panic when I realized it would have to be a virtual opening night. But Maggie Thompson, of the symphony staff, and I came up with a plan, and with the help of a great committee, we pulled it off. Opening Night took place in the backyards of our many supporters. We provided big-screen TVs for people to watch the live and recorded segments of the program. We also provided flower arrangements and catered meals. It was a huge success.
Covid has been hard for everyone, but it has hit artists especially hard. Can you tell us a little bit about how you have been trying to keep the arts alive during the pandemic? How would you like to see the world of the arts evolve from here?
So many arts organizations streamed free performances when live shows were not a possibility. I hope the public will realize what a great service theaters and symphonies have provided during the pandemic. People will inevitably disagree about politics, the environment, education...but when we’re in an arena at a great concert, or mesmerized by the stunning performance of an actor on the stage...we are all on the same page. I hope people will support the arts more. It’s the glue that keeps us all together.
Many people feel as if they can’t support the arts without making large donations. What sort of support do you think is just as important as giving monetarily?
Art needs an audience. Buy a ticket to a concert, the symphony, a ballet. Attend a local cabaret club or spend a few hours at a museum. Become a volunteer.
How have you been staying positive during shelter in place?
I’ve been keeping in contact with friends and relatives via Zoom and Facebook. I also remind myself how grateful I am to have a home in which I can shelter in place.
What is your motto in life?
That’s easy. There is a stone plaque on my desk engraved with the words, “Never, Never, Never Give Up!”
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