Bursting into the national scene with her breakthrough 1967 album “Wildflowers,” Collins recorded original material alongside the timeless works of Joni Mitchell (“Both Sides Now”) and Leonard Cohen (“Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye”), who were both still unknown artists at the time.

And in the decades since, Collins has risen into the upper echelon of great American singer-songwriters, where her stunning voice and mesmerizing stage presence remain as vibrant and purposeful as ever — this truly magnetic soul of kindness and compassion.

The Smoky Mountain News recently talked to Collins over the phone while she was preparing for gig later that evening in Tucson, Arizona.

Throughout the interaction, Collins spoke at-length about what she loves about the act of performance, how the open road remains as alluring as ever, and what it means to be an activist in modern world seemingly gone mad.

Smoky Mountain News: You’ve been politically active your whole life and for the good of the people. What do you think about the chaos in our world right now?

Judy Collins: You know, one of the things that I believe in is focusing on your own story and your own path. And your own ability to make people in your audience have a relief, even for an hour-and-a-half to train their minds and their hearts on the good that they can create.

I remember talking to [legendary folk musician and activist] Pete Seeger a few years before his death. And I said, “Pete, what do you think about today? How do you feel about everything that's going on?” And he said, “You know, I am very optimistic.” I said, “Why?” He said, “Because I see, all over this country, people are doing good works. They're doing positive things. There are little clusters of groups, who are making a difference in their lives and in the lives of others.”

And I thought that was very perceptive.

SMN: And I have solidarity with that. The thought being that if you make your backyard a better place, and if others do the same where they live, then hopefully it adds up to something bigger.

JC: That’s what’s true. Do what you can to make your life and the lives of those around you better. That’s my purpose in touring, in singing, in being an artist who’s been here for something like 65 years doing this in public.

SMN: When you think about those early years, starting out as a young artist in 1960s Greenwich Village, what really sticks out when you look back on that juncture in your life?

JC: The positive notion that people can make a change, always, as long as they decide to do so.

SMN: You’re on the road constantly, on tour and onstage. What does the idea of travel mean to you these days?

JC: I was the oldest of five [sisters]. When I was a little girl, my father was on the road and he was doing concerts all over the northwest. And so, I got the chance to learn what traveling is and what fun it is and what the positive effect of trees, deserts and mountains [are] on the soul. I got it from the time I was a little girl.

So, I love it. I love travel. And I think a lot of people don't connect with travel. But, I think my bottom line understanding is that the effect of, as the day happens, what do you do with it?

Well, that's a very big question. I do my prayer, I do my meditation. I eat my meals. I talk to friends. I look at the landscape. Every time I get on a plane, I'm thrilled.

SMN: Is there a rhyme or reason to what you choose to perform?

JC: What I do is to sit down with my books and choose the sequence, hopefully fresh every night. It usually is not the same as the night before or the night after. I like to tell stories, and that's a big part of what I do. And I love to tell jokes. So, the combination seems to surround the music with something interesting. I have to laugh before I can make him cry.

SMN: What has the culmination of your life and career, thus far, taught you about what it means to be a human being?

JC: I'm not going to answer that. You can go read all kinds of books about that, but that's not my subject. My subject is the present tense.

What do I think about? What do I do? Life is short. One of my friends said, “You know, we're not here very long.” My husband of 46 years died on December the third. So, I know the truth of that.

We are just not here very long, and we better take up the time doing something positive and trying to help ourselves in the world. That's my idea.

SMN: And I would surmise that you subscribe to the idea of “the now”?

JC: “The now” is all we have. It’s all we ever have, we just don’t know it some of the time. Don’t forget to smile.

Editor’s Note: Renowned singer-songwriter Judy Collins will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Diana Wortham Theatre in Asheville. Tickets start at $66.50 per person, with seating upgrades available. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on worthamarts.org or call 828.257.4530.