The Judds

Last updated

The Judds
Defense.gov photo essay 081209-F-9999H-101 cropped.jpg
Naomi (left) and Wynonna (right) performing in 2008
Background information
Also known asWynonna & Naomi (The Judds)
Origin Ashland, Kentucky, U.S. [1]
Genres Country
Years active
  • 1983–1991
  • 1994
  • 1998–2000
  • 2008–2011
  • 2015
  • 2017
  • 2022–2023
Labels RCA Records/Curb
Past members Naomi Judd
Wynonna Judd
Website www.thejudds.com

The Judds were an American country music duo composed of lead vocalist Wynonna Judd and her mother, Naomi Judd. The duo signed to RCA Records in 1983 and released six studio albums between then and 1991. The Judds were one of the most successful acts in country music history, winning five Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and nine Country Music Association awards. They also charted more than twenty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including fourteen that went to number one. After eight years as a duo, the Judds disbanded in 1991 after Naomi was diagnosed with hepatitis C. Wynonna began a highly successful solo career soon after, although she and her mother reunited on multiple occasions.

Contents

After a long battle with physical and mental health issues, Naomi Judd died by suicide in 2022.

Early life and career

Naomi Judd was born Diana Ellen Judd on January 11, 1946, in Ashland, Kentucky. Growing up, she played piano at her local church. [1] At age 18, [2] she married Michael Ciminella and gave birth to her daughter Christina Ciminella, who would later change her name to Wynonna Judd; [1] though Ciminella was regarded as Wynonna's father, [1] in truth, Naomi had conceived Wynonna out of wedlock with an ex-boyfriend named Charles Jordan. [2] After Diana's parents divorced, she and her daughter moved to Los Angeles in 1968, and lived on welfare after she and Michael divorced in 1972. [1] By 1979, Diana and her daughter moved to Tennessee. Diana renamed herself Naomi and began playing music with her daughter, who sang lead and played guitar. At the same time, Naomi began studying to be a nurse. [1]

Naomi was a promoter of the act and was reportedly propositioned, sexually harassed, and dismissed when she tried to do so. She submitted a cassette tape produced for $30 to Nashville music producers and to anyone who would listen. In 1983, Naomi met the daughter of record producer Brent Maher, who was able to secure the Judds an audition with executives of RCA Records. These executives signed the duo immediately upon hearing their audition. [1] [3]

Musical career

The Judds' first release for RCA/Curb was an extended play titled Wynonna & Naomi . The release consisted of six songs, two of which were issued as singles to promote it. First was "Had a Dream (For the Heart)", [4] a song written by Dennis Linde and originally cut by Elvis Presley as the B-side to his 1976 single "Hurt". [5] [6] The Judds' rendition was their first entry on the Hot Country Songs charts, where it peaked at No. 17. [4] Next was "Mama He's Crazy", written by Kenny O'Dell. In mid-1984, this song became the first of eight consecutive No. 1 singles for the duo on the country music charts, while also earning the duo its first Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal the following year. [4]

The Judds' first full-length studio album, Why Not Me , was issued in 1984. Steve Huey of Allmusic wrote that the album "took its place as a classic of modern country, establishing the Judds as spokeswomen for a new generation of female country music fans." [1] Three singles were issued from it: the title track, which earned a second Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, followed by "Girls Night Out" and "Love Is Alive". [4] The album went on to sell a million copies in the United States. [1]

Rockin' with the Rhythm (1985) accounted for four more singles. First was "Have Mercy", which held the No. 1 position on Hot Country Songs for two weeks, making it their only song to hold that position for more than a single week. [4] "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Ol' Days)" came next. Released in February 1985, the song won both a third Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, along with Grammy Award for Best Country Song, both awarded in 1987. [4] Following these were "Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Rain" and "Cry Myself to Sleep". [1]

1987's Heartland was led off by another Elvis Presley cover, specifically "Don't Be Cruel", featuring backing vocals from The Jordanaires. [4] Huey described this album as more "uneven" than its predecessors. [1] "I Know Where I'm Going", "Maybe Your Baby's Got the Blues", and "Turn It Loose" were also released from this compilation, followed in 1988 by two tracks off their Greatest Hits package: "Give a Little Love" and "Change of Heart" (written by Naomi), the latter of which accounted for their fourth Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. [4]

1988 until disbanding

River of Time , issued in 1989, became their first disc not to reach the summit of the Top Country Albums charts. Despite its lower sales, it accounted for their last No 1 hits "Young Love (Strong Love)" and "Let Me Tell You About Love", [4] the latter of which featured Carl Perkins on lead guitar. The later singles were less successful, with "Guardian Angels" becoming their first single since "Had a Dream" not to make the Top 10 of the country charts. [4]

Huey noted that at this point in the Judds' career, the personalities of Wynonna and Naomi began to differ. According to Allmusic: "Naomi was the extroverted stage presence, the sometime songwriter, the ambitious businesswoman who steered the group's career and pushed her daughter to keep realizing her talent. Wynonna--despite her quiet, reserved demeanor--was a prodigiously talented vocal stylist who grew surer of herself with every passing release and rebelled more and more forcefully against her mother's direction." [1] Amid speculation that the two would disband, they released their last full studio album, Love Can Build a Bridge , in 1990. From it came "Born to Be Blue" and the title track, written by Naomi along with Paul Overstreet and John Barlow Jarvis. "Love Can Build a Bridge" was also their last single to receive Grammy Awards, once again for Country Song and Best Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. [4] This album was promoted by a farewell tour. [1] Ending the original segment of their career was Greatest Hits Volume Two (1991). It also accounted for the single "John Deere Tractor", originally found on Wynonna & Naomi. [4]

The Judds decided to say goodbye to their fans with a Farewell Tour in 1991, culminating in a date on Dec. 4 at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn., that was filmed for a TV special titled The Judds: Their Final Concert. The special performance includes appearances from Carl Perkins, Reba McEntire, and Larry Gatlin, and it features an emotional moment in which Naomi urges Wynonna, who had already announced her intention to launch a solo career, to "go toward the light" as she takes her own path forward. [7]

Following their disbanding, Wynonna Judd signed to MCA Records and Curb Records between 1992 and 1997, followed by just Curb from then onward. She charted over 25 singles on her own, including four that went to No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs charts. These included her first three releases, "She Is His Only Need", "I Saw the Light", and "No One Else on Earth" all in 1992, along with "To Be Loved by You" in 1996. [8]

Reunion shows

Wynonna and Naomi briefly reunited for a performance at the Super Bowl XXVIII halftime show. [9] They reunited again in a commercial for the retail chain Kmart, performing the song "Changing for the Better". The duo also performed several shows in 1998. During this time, the duo also charted one more single credited to The Judds, as well as receiving an Academy of Country Music nomination for Duo of the Year in 2001. [10] In addition, Naomi sang harmony on Wynonna's 2004 single "Flies on the Butter (You Can't Go Home Again)", although this song was credited as "Wynonna with Naomi Judd".

The duo reunited for a one-off performance on New Year's Eve, December 31, 1999, in Phoenix, AZ with Wynonna's half-sister Ashley Judd. The 23 song set was released as The Judds Reunion Live and features Naomi's husband, Larry Strickland producing.

In 2008, the Judds once again reunited for a concert at the 2008 Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California, [11] as well as two shows in Canada, including one at the world-famous Calgary Stampede and another at the Merritt Mountain Music Festival in Merritt, British Columbia. In 2009, the Judds performed at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville.

In February 2010, Wynonna Judd appeared on CBS's The Early Show and announced that she would reunite with Naomi, to tour and record a studio album for the final time as the Judds by the end of 2010. The tour, known as the Last Encore Tour, became an 18-city tour of the US that was expanded to 29 dates in 2011. [12]

On September 14, 2010, the Judds appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show where Wynonna discussed "her recent weight loss, her year of living dangerously and what it's like going back on stage as part of the iconic duo, the Judds." [13] The Judds also performed their new single "I Will Stand by You," which was released on iTunes that same day. [14] In March 2011, Curb Records announced the release of the Judds' new album, I Will Stand by You: The Essential Collection , which features two new songs and twelve of the duo's hits. The album was released on April 5, 2011.

In April 2011, the Judds began starring in their first reality series, The Judds, on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. [15] The new series, which premiered April 10, follows the duo on their final concert tour and explores their mother-daughter relationship.

In October 2017, the Judds reunited in order to appear at the "All in for the Gambler" concert, the final Nashville concert by Kenny Rogers which took place at the Bridgestone Arena and featured performances by many of Rogers' friends. Wynonna sang "You Turn The Light On" before Naomi joined her to perform "Back to the Well". [16]

Wynonna and Naomi Judd reunited for what would be their final performance together at the 2022 CMT Music Awards. They performed "Love Can Build a Bridge", from the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Kacey Musgraves introduced the performance. The performance marked the Judds' first nationally televised award show performance in more than twenty years. [17]

On April 11, 2022, the Judds' "The Final Tour" was announced with special guest Martina McBride, making 10 stops beginning on September 30. [18] However, Naomi died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on April 30, 2022, five months before the tour was scheduled to begin. Honoring Wynonna and Ashley Judd's wishes for the medallion ceremony to continue in spite of their grief, the Judds were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame the day following Naomi's death. [19] Despite Naomi's death, Wynonna announced that she would continue to tour under the name The Judds in late 2022 with Martina McBride, Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde, Faith Hill, Brandi Carlile, Little Big Town, and Trisha Yearwood. [20] The tour was chronicled in the documentary Wynonna Judd: Between Heaven and Hell, which was released on April 26, 2023. [21]

The album A Tribute to The Judds was released on October 27, 2023.

Discography

Studio albums
Extended plays

Awards and honors

Academy of Country Music

Country Music Association

Grammy Awards

Country Music Hall of Fame

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martina McBride</span> American country singer

Martina Mariea McBride is an American country music singer-songwriter. She is known for her soprano singing range and her country pop material.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wynonna Judd</span> American country singer (born 1964)

Wynonna Ellen Judd, known simply as Wynonna, is an American country music singer. She is one of the most widely recognized and awarded female country musicians in history. In all, she has had 19 No. 1 singles, including those with The Judds. She first rose to fame in the 1980s alongside her mother, Naomi, in their mother-daughter country music duo, The Judds. They released seven albums on Curb Records, in addition to 26 singles, of which 14 were No. 1 hits. In 2023 Wynonna was named the best country music artist, picking up the "country champion" award at the "People's Choice Country Awards".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naomi Judd</span> American country singer, songwriter, and actress (1946–2022)

Naomi Judd was an American country music singer and actress. In 1980, she and her daughter Wynonna formed the duo known as The Judds, which became a very successful country music act, winning five Grammy Awards and nine Country Music Association awards. The Judds ceased performing in 1991 after Naomi was diagnosed with hepatitis; while Wynonna continued to perform as a solo artist, she occasionally reunited with her mother for tours as The Judds. Naomi struggled with mental health issues throughout her life. She died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on April 30, 2022, the day before she and Wynonna were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1994.

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caron Wheeler</span> Musical artist

Caron Melina Wheeler is an English singer, songwriter, record producer and musician. Born and raised in London, she performed in various singing competitions as a teenager and began her recording career as one of the founding members of Brown Sugar. She was also one of the founding members of the female backing vocalist group Afrodiziak. She officially rose to fame in the late 1980s as the lead singer of R&B group Soul II Soul. Managed by her bandmate, Jazzie B, the group became one of London's best-selling groups in the 1990s. Their debut album, Club Classics Vol. One (1989), which established them as a global success worldwide, earned two Grammy Awards and featured the UK and Billboard number-one singles "Keep on Movin'" and "Back to Life ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Big Town</span> American country group

Little Big Town is an American country music vocal group from Homewood, Alabama. Founded in 1998, the group has had the same four members since its founding: Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook. Their musical style relies heavily on four-part vocal harmonies, with all four members alternating as lead vocalists. Fairchild and Westbrook have been married to each other since 2006.

<i>River of Time</i> (The Judds album) 1989 studio album by the Judds

River of Time is the fifth studio album by American country music duo the Judds, released on April 4, 1989 by RCA Records. It features the singles "Young Love ," "Let Me Tell You About Love," "One Man Woman" and "Guardian Angels." While the first two singles reached #1 on the country charts, the latter two peaked at #8 and #16 respectively, with "Guardian Angels" being their first single since 1983's "Had a Dream " to miss Top Ten. "Do I Dare" is not included on the cassette or vinyl versions.

"Love Can Build a Bridge" is a song written by Naomi Judd, Paul Overstreet, and John Barlow Jarvis, and recorded by American country music duo the Judds. It was released in 1990 as the second single and title track from their album of the same name. It was a top-five country hit in mid-1991. The song has inspired several cover versions, including one by Cher, Chrissie Hynde, Neneh Cherry, and Eric Clapton that topped the UK Singles Chart in 1995.

<i>Why Not Me</i> (album) 1984 studio album by The Judds

Why Not Me is the debut studio album by American country music duo the Judds. It was released on October 15, 1984, by RCA Records and was produced by Brent Maher. Why Not Me was recorded in a traditional acoustic format using only a handful of musicians. It contained a collection of ten tracks, including their previously released single, "Mama He's Crazy." It also included three singles that would become number one hits: the title track, "Girls' Night Out" and "Love Is Alive."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Judds discography</span> Band discography

American country music duo The Judds released six studio albums, three live albums, 18 compilation albums, five video albums, two extended plays, one box set, five music videos, 29 singles and 1 album appearance. The duo consisted of mother, Naomi Judd, and her daughter, Wynonna Judd. The pair signed a recording contract with RCA Records and Curb Records in 1983. Later that year, their debut single was released called "Had a Dream ". Their next release, "Mama He's Crazy", became their first number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. The song's success led to the release of their debut EP in 1984. It peaked at number eight on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. In October 1984, their debut studio album was released entitled Why Not Me. It peaked at number one on the country albums chart and number 71 on the Billboard 200. Why Not Me would sell over two million copies. It also spawned three number one country hits: the title track, "Girls' Night Out" and "Love Is Alive".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wynonna Judd discography</span> Discography

The discography of American country music artist Wynonna contains nine studio albums, four compilation albums, two video albums, one live album, one extended play (EP), 43 singles, 11 music videos and one other-charting song. She achieved success as one half of the mother-daughter duo, The Judds. In 1991, the duo split and Wynonna signed a solo recording contract with MCA Records that year. In March 1992, her debut studio album entitled Wynonna reached number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number four on the Billboard 200. The album spawned three number one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart: "She Is His Only Need," "I Saw the Light" and "No One Else on Earth." The album also sold over five million copies. In 1993, it was followed by Tell Me Why, which certified platinum in the United States. It also topped the country albums chart and reached number five on the Billboard 200 It spawned five more top ten country hits, including the title track and "Rock Bottom."

<i>Wynonna & Naomi</i> 1984 EP by The Judds

Wynonna & Naomi is the first extended play by American country duo The Judds. It was released in February 1984 by RCA Records and was produced by Brent Maher. It was the duo's first album release in their career and would be followed later in the year by their first full-length album, Why Not Me. The album was part of a "mini-album" marketing strategy designed by RCA to promote up-and-coming acts on their roster.

"She Is His Only Need" is a song written by Dave Loggins, and recorded by American country music artist Wynonna Judd. It was Wynonna's first solo single, after spending nine years alongside her mother, Naomi Judd, as The Judds. It was released in January 1992 as the first single from Wynonna's self-titled debut album. The song was her first Number One hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Last Encore Tour</span> 2010–11 concert tour by the Judds

The Last Encore Tour is a concert tour by American recording artist the Judds. The tour is the duo's first tour in 10 years, the last being the "Power to Change Tour" in 2000. The duo states this is the final farewell tour for the group. The tour began November 2010 and ended in December. In 2011, the duo announced a second United States leg for the summer of 2011. The tour predominately visited the United States.

<i>Beautiful Surprise</i> 2012 studio album by Tamia

Beautiful Surprise is the fifth studio album by Canadian recording artist Tamia. It was released by her own label, Plus One Music Group on August 28, 2012 in the United States, with distribution handled by EMI and Capitol Records. Her first release since 2006's Between Friends following a longer hiatus during which she gave birth and raised her second daughter with husband Grant Hill, much of Beautiful Surprise was produced in the eight months leading up to the release of the album. A breakaway from her previous effort, Tamia consulted a wider range of musicians to work with her, including Claude Kelly, The Runners, duo Carvin & Ivan, Salaam Remi, and frequent collaborator Shep Crawford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelsea Ballerini</span> American singer (born 1993)

Kelsea Nicole Ballerini is an American country pop singer and songwriter. A four-time Grammy Award nominee, she has gained success since the 2010s, being honored with the Gene Weed Milestone Award at the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Rising Star Award at the Billboard Women in Music.

"I Will Stand by You" is a song written by Steven Lee Olsen and Robert Ellis Orrall. It was recorded by Canadian country group High Valley and released as the lead single to the group's second self-titled album in early 2010. The song reached the top 20 of the Billboard Canada Country chart. The song was also recorded by American country duo The Judds and released as a single in September 2010. The song was the only single released off of the 2011 compilation album, I Will Stand by You: The Essential Collection.

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 CMT Music Awards</span> Country music award ceremony

The 2022 CMT Music Awards, the 56th edition of the awards ceremony, were held in Nashville, Tennessee on April 11, 2022, at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium and locations in and around Nashville, Tennessee. The ceremony was hosted by Kelsea Ballerini (virtually), Kane Brown, and Anthony Mackie. The ceremony marked the final appearance and public performance of the country music duo, The Judds, as Naomi Judd died on April 30.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Huey, Steve. "The Judds biography". Allmusic . Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  2. 1 2 James, Susan Donaldson (April 1, 2011). "Ashley Judd's Story of Abuse Echoes Family's Sad Narrative". ABC News. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  3. ↑ Bufwack, Mary (1993). Finding Her Voice, The Saga of Women in Country Music (First ed.). New York: Crown Publishers. p.  495. ISBN   0-517-58114-0.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Whitburn, Joel (2012). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2012. Record Research, Inc. p. 176. ISBN   978-0-89820-203-8.
  5. ↑ Whitburn, p. 265
  6. ↑ "The Judds had a dream, and the dream came true". The Tennessean . March 11, 1984. p. 63. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  7. ↑ Whitaker, Sterling (December 4, 2021). "Remember When the Judds Played Their 'Final Show'?". Taste Of Country. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  8. ↑ Whitburn, p. 383
  9. ↑ "16. Tanya Tucker, Clint Black, Travis Tritt, and the Judds (1994)". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Wynonna Official Website :: Homepage" . Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  11. ↑ "The Judds reunite for 2008 Stagecoach Festival". monstersandcritics.com. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Judds Reuniting for One More Tour". CBS News . CBS Broadcasting Inc. February 6, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Wynonna Official Website :: Wynonna - News". BAMP Official Website. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Hear the New Judds Single First!". thejuddstour2010.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2010. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  15. ↑ Huff, Richard (November 1, 2010). "Oprah Winfrey's OWN network announces "The Judds", Tatum, Ryan O'Neal series, Carson Kressley show". New York Daily News . Archived from the original on May 15, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Dolly Parton, the Judds, Lionel Richie, Lady A & More Celebrate Kenny Rogers' Career at Nashville Extravaganza". billboard.com. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  17. ↑ Dowling, Marcus K. (April 1, 2022). "The Judds to perform on stage together at 2022 CMT Music Awards for first time in two decades". Tennessean. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  18. ↑ Tourangeau, Ariana (April 14, 2022). "The Judds final tour: How to buy tickets to the mother daughter duo's last tour". MassLive. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Naomi Judd, of Grammy-winning Duo the Judds, Dies At 76". Bloomberg.com. April 30, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Wynonna Judd on Naomi's Death, One Month Later: 'This Cannot be How the Judds Story Ends'". May 29, 2022.
  21. ↑ Azzopardi, Chris (April 26, 2023). "'Wynonna Judd: Between Hell and Hallelujah' Review: The Show Must Go On". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  22. ↑ Kristin M. Hall, AP Entertainment Writer (May 1, 2022). "The Judds, Ray Charles join the Country Music Hall of Fame". ABC News. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  23. ↑ Williams, Chris (May 1, 2022). "Judds Inducted Into Country Hall of Fame in Tearful Ceremony a Day After Naomi's Death". Variety. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.