Judy and Garth Garth introduced his album, Fresh Horses on Judy's show. Location: Washington, DC.

A Life That Knows No Boundaries VOA Music Director Radio & TV Personality Showcase of Talent Professional Associates Awards & Special Recognition International Jury & Panel Participation Special Events Countries Visited

The life of Judy Massa has always been an international one, from the time of her birth to today. She has known no boundaries, neither in her life nor in her career. That's why her role as an international radio and television personality reflected the person she is and her love of the world she knows.

Judy was born in the Republic of Panama and raised in the Panama Canal Zone. She moved to the USA to attend DePauw University, graduating with honors. Immediately she moved to Washington, DC, to produce and direct the Voice of America (VOA) radio shows directed to Latin America in Spanish and Portuguese.

VOA appointed Judy its first Music Director in 1984 and at the same time she began writing and hosting Country Music USA. In 1996 she created Border Crossings, international radio's first music request show, which is broadcast worldwide via satellite and shortwave. Judy retired from Voice of America in 2001.

Her activities included organizing and co-hosting (with Kenny Rogers) VOA's 50th Anniversary Gift of Song Concert. She also organized and co-hosted (with Billy Taylor) VOA's Tribute to Willis Conover. Her travels have taken her to 35 countries for such events as the 3rd and 4th Annual Voice of Asia International Music and Song Festivals in Kazakstan, the 24th Annual Golden Orpheus International Pop Song Festival in Bulgaria, and the 5th Annual Country Gold Festival in Japan. She presented audio-visual lectures on American Country Music in four cities in China. She served as MC for Roy Clark's Russia tour, and she has traveled on overseas tours with such performers as Garth Brooks, Dan Seals and the Nashville Bluegrass Band.

Judy comes from a musical family, where music of all genres was performed and appreciated. She was born of American parents in the Republic of Panama port city of Colón. Panama is known as the "Crossroads of the World" where ships from around the globe gather to transit the Canal. Growing up in Panama and the Canal Zone provided her with a knowledge of and interest in world cultures.

Judy graduated from Balboa High School in Balboa, Canal Zone, and was named its "Outstanding Girl Graduate." She set the direction for her life at the time she entered college. The foundation of her future was created at that time when she graduated cum laude from DePauw University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree (with majors in English, Spanish and Communications). During her last two years there, she took her first steps into the radio world by serving as Vice President of the university radio station WGRE.

Her introduction to the international aspects of broadcasting occurred when she served as an intern at the Voice of America the summer before her last year of college. After she graduated, she started work for VOA as a regular staff member, albeit one with special talents. She first served as a studio director for broadcasts to Latin America in Spanish and Portuguese. As a result of her outstanding programming of music for that region of the world, she was selected as the Popular Music Specialist at the Voice of America. She wrote radio scripts about American music trends and artists ranging from Billy Joel to Henri Mancini. 1984 brought important advancements in Judy's career; she became the host of VOA's Country Music USA radio program and was also named the first VOA Music Director. In 1996, she conceived and hosted international broadcasting's first worldwide music call-in show called Border Crossings.

Judy held responsibilities at virtually every level of VOA, gaining valuable experience in management, public affairs, diplomacy and government relations, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the broadcast and music industries. She traveled to 35 countries as a way of fulfilling her wide range of international obligations.

Before Judy took over, the majority of music broadcasts consisted of the current "Top Ten" records of various genres. She decided to represent more of the diversity of American fabric by presenting a better variety of music. VOA programs now showcase a cross-section of musical styles. Judy retired in 2001.

As Music Director for the Voice of America and its radio network that broadcasts to every country in the world, Judy oversaw and coordinated the coverage of all genres of music: classical, jazz, pop, rock, country, folk, world, etc.

She was responsible for the following administrative duties:

• oversaw and coordinated music programming for VOA's 55 language services
  

• directed the work of a staff which produces scripts and shows about music, performers and the entertainment industry.
  

• served as the primary music information resource for the entire VOA organization. As such, she provided information, guidance and advice, support and instruction on all genres of music.
  

• assured that VOA staff needs were met through the Music Library, which contains over 25,000 CDs and 150,000 vinyl record albums. Judy notes, "Although compact discs have become the standard in the music industry, we retained our record collection because all too often songs that are available on records have not been re-released on CDs. Also, it's an invaluable collection of music dating back to 1942." The Library's collection contains every conceivable type of music.
  

Judy's background launched a career in international broadcasting and journalism that was represented in the multifaceted career she developed to include her broad range of interests and talents. This gave her the chance to be many things:

• Handled special assignments, including emceeing overseas entertainment tours, public appearances, and public relations activities.

• Maintained ongoing and extensive contact with radio listeners worldwide.

• Provided technical broadcast support and served as liaison with artists and their management, event management, label executives and national and international media.

• Produced, wrote and hosted two international music programs that are broadcast worldwide on VOA: Border Crossings and Country Music USA.
  

• Served as VOA correspondent providing taped and live on-air coverage of noteworthy music events. Some of her coverage included annual award shows (Grammys, Country Music Association Award Shows, Academy of Country Music Awards, etc.) and special events such as Live Aid, Farm Aids, Hands Across America, Volunteer Jam Concerts, International Fan Fairs, etc.
  

Talk Show Host

Judy's role as a talk show host was an extensive one that gave her the opportunity to meet and interview most of the musical stars and industry movers and shakers in the world. Her mission for every program was to give her audience both an enjoyable experience and help them learn and understand more about the American culture and its music. And the goal of her interviews with some of the world's best musical artists was to provide an inside perspective on what the music means to the artists and what they are trying to convey to the audience.

Reporter

She reported on noteworthy music events, including breaking stories, award shows, and special events. She provided both live coverage of some events as well as taped stories and interviews with the major participants.

Writer

She wrote the scripts for all of her radio programs and reports, as well as articles for newspapers and magazines.

Speaker

Judy has been a guest speaker at many events around the world.

Judy is a member of a number of professional associations and organizations, and participates in their programs and meetings. She also maintains a variety of industry relationships on both the national and international levels.

Professional Associates:
Judy has extensive and highly successful working relationships with the top people in these industries and professions:

• Performing artists and their representatives


• Music industry leaders and managers


• Recording industry


• Broadcast industry (both radio and television)


• National and international press


• Public Relations firms & their publicists

The CMA Media Achievement Award
October 1994, by the Country Music Association.
The award says: "Judy Massa is hereby acknowledged for outstanding contributions to the Advancement and Promotion of Country Music through the field of Electronic Journalism."

The Tex Ritter Award
June 1986. The plaque reads: "The 13th Annual IFCO Tex Ritter Award is presented to Judy Massa in special recognition of your years of outstanding effort and service to our country through the broadcast facilities of the Voice of America. Particularly in the broadcast and presentation of Country Music. We salute your achievements and efforts which continually prove that music is truly the Universal language."

DePauw University Alumni Citation
June 1985. The citation was "Awarded in recognition of outstanding achievements and services which reflect honor upon DePauw University."

RCA Country Records Trailblazer Award
1985. The award was presented "To Judy Massa in recognition of your efforts in breaking The Judds."

As VOA representative, Judy served on numerous panels, including the International Federation of Festival Organizations and the Country Music Association International Panel.

She was a member of the international jury at the 24th Golden Orpheus International Pop Song Festival in Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, June 9-12, 1993. Musicians from 14 nations competed for prizes.

She served as the American representative on an international panel of judges at the 3rd Annual "Voice of Asia" International Pop Music and Song Festival held August 1-9, 1992 in Almaty, Kazakstan. Musicians from more than 20 nations competed for prizes. Judy introduced the world to this important international festival through a series of VOA radio programs she produced and hosted upon her return to Washington.

She returned to Kazakstan at the organizer's request to serve as a judge at the 4th Annual "Voice of Asia" International Pop Music and Song Festival July 17-25, 1993. She was selected by fellow jury members to write the formal declaration supporting national traditional art forms.

Judy hosted and participated in a wide variety of special events around the world:

• Accompanied Garth Brooks to Northern Ireland in November 1998 for a week of his series of sold-out concerts in Belfast. Judy traveled with him and his band and shared their minute-to-minute activities.
  

• Conceived, organized and hosted a live, two-hour Willis Conover Tribute Concert following the death of the noted VOA jazz commentator. Guests who performed live included Joe Williams, Charlie Byrd, Paquito D'Rivera, and Billy Taylor (who co-hosted the event with Judy). The tribute was broadcast live by VOA Radio and by Television worldwide.
  

• Traveled to Ireland in May 1997 for a week of live On-The-Road Border Crossings shows from the Emerald Isle. Guests during this trip to Ireland included Donovan, The Corrs, Mary Black, The Chiefains and other Irish performers. One special guest was Garth Brooks, during his concert tour of Ireland.
  

• Honored one of the program's long-time listeners from India at the time of his impending death in October 1996. Judy organized a trip to South East Asia with singer Dan Seals that included a meeting with the listener and a concert in tribute to him in his hometown of Mangalore, India.
  

  The rest of the concert tour included Bombay and New Delhi (India), Bangkok (Thailand), and Hanoi (Vietnam). The show in Hanoi was the first bi-national cultural presentation in that city since the mid-1950s.
  

• Presented the international radio premiere of Garth Brooks' new album Fresh Horses in November of 1995. The show took place at the VOA auditorium with Judy as producer and host of the two hour live broadcast with Garth. The show had a little bit of everything: a combination news conference, vivid live performance and international call-in by fans and journalists alike giving comments and asking questions. The whole event had an electric spontaneity about it that made it a fascinating and lively introduction to the music on Garth's new album.
  

• Traveled with Garth Brooks on his first overseas tour from March 30 through April 23, 1994. He performed in Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Norway, and Sweden. She wrote news stories and broadcast special "Correspondent Reports" from the tour which included comments from Garth and his audience.
  

• Visited the People's Republic of China from June 28 - July 17, 1993. Judy traveled to four cities: Chengdu, Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou. The purpose of her trip was to conduct audio-visual presentations and seminars about American Country Music. During part of her trip, she served as Emcee at the official opening of the new American Consulate Building in Sichuan Province. Her tour was warmly embraced by the Chinese, millions of whom devotedly listen to Country Music USA each week. The trip received extensive media coverage from the newspapers, radio, television and magazines.
  

• Served as VOA representative at MIDEM '93 in Cannes, France.
  

• Served as an MC at the Roots of Rock concert in Cleveland, Ohio. The event was held on March 20, 1993 and celebrated the anniversary of Alan Freed's famous Moondog Coronation Ball. The performers included Carl Perkins, Hank Ballard and the Moonlighters, The Shirelles and others. Concert highlights were broadcast by VOA, with Judy writing and providing the commentary for the programs.
  

• Covered the 5th Annual Country Gold Festival in October, 1993, in Kumamoto, Japan. The event is organized by local performer Charlie Nagatani. Judy traveled with the artists who performed that year: Steve Wariner, Pam Tillis, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, Highway 101 and Jett Williams & The Drifting Cowboys. She presented a special "Correspondent Report" from Japan and a 30-minute program on the festival upon her return.
  

• Conceived, organized and co-hosted the acclaimed Voice of America 50th Anniversary Gift of Song Concert which was broadcast March 21, 1992, where she invited artists representing many different styles of music to perform live for VOA's 100 million listeners worldwide. The performing guests who donated their time and talent to perform on the show at her request included Garth Brooks, Adam Makowicz, Joe Walsh, Chet Atkins, John Sebastian, Grover Washington Jr., Clark Terry, Mark O'Connor and Kenny Rogers (who co-hosted the event with Judy).
  

• Hosted live broadcasts of Charlie Daniels' Volunteer Jams from 1984 to 1992 from Nashville. This gave the Jam a worldwide audience. Judy supervised all production duties for her shows and broadcast special reports from the event that included live performances. Charlie Daniels made the statement at his 10th Volunteer Jam: "My music knows no ideologies, no borders, and no politics. It's people-to-people love, and I am glad that you're one of those people..."
  

• Conceived, coordinated and hosted a live two-hour worldwide telephone call-in show from Nashville, Talk To America on June 4, 1989. The topic was "American Country Music." Studio guests included Charlie Daniels, Emmylou Harris, Dan Seals and Roseanne Cash. They took questions and chatted with listeners who called-in from around the world. Also joining Judy was a group of noted musicians who performed live music during the broadcast: Vassar Clements, Jesse McReynolds, Eddie Bayers, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas and Marty Stuart. Some artists couldn't attend in person but called in to talk with Judy; these included Kenny Rogers, K.T. Oslin, Buck Owens and Roy Clark. People called from all corners of the world, including Malaysia, India, Niger, Zimbabwe, Scotland, Jamaica and Peru.
  

• Emceed Roy Clark's November 1988 Friendship Tour of Russia, with concerts in Moscow and Leningrad. Judy wrote and provided the audio commentary for a series of Correspondent Reports during the trip. Once she returned to Washington she hosted a special program about the tour.
  

• Created and conducted a 1988 worldwide essay contest, What Country Music Means To Me, with the winner (and a guest) each receiving a two-week, all-expense paid trip to Washington and Nashville. The contest drew over 3,000 essays from 109 countries. The winner was a 23-year-old international business student from Shanghai, China. His sole source for the country music he loved was Judy's program. The trip took place in June and Judy arranged for the winner to meet a number of country music stars during his visit. The press provided extensive coverage of the event and both Judy and the student participated in a number of interviews.
  

• Broadcast in 1988 a five week series of live-to-tape programs of The Grand Ole Opry's 60th Anniversary, which included interviews with artists on the famous show.
  

• Premiered We Are The World on April 5, 1985, on a special program that was broadcast worldwide by VOA. Judy was interviewed on CBS television about her program.
  

• Served as reporter for the first live VOA music broadcast ever, the 1984 Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam from Nashville. The program was so successful that she returned for two additional Jams and produced the programs covering the concerts.
  

• Presented a 10-week series on the major instruments of country music. Top musicians appeared and explained their instruments and music to Judy's audience. Her guests were: Chet Atkins (guitar), Mark O'Connor (violin), Jerry Douglas (dobro), John Jarvis (keyboards), Joe Osborne (bass), Eddie Bayers (drums), Jesse McReynolds (mandolin), Buddy Emmons (peddle steel guitar), Bela Fleck (banjo) and Terry McMillan (harmonica and percussion).
  

• Presented a three-part program about the career of Johnny Cash. Johnny appeared on the program, talked about his life and career and took questions via phone from listeners around the world.
  

Judy has visited and worked in countries in every corner of the world. Her travels have taken her to:

The Americas: Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, Haiti, Barbados, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Europe: Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, France, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Bulgaria, Poland and Russia.

Middle East & Asia: Turkey, India, Kazakstan, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.