Cledus T. Judd
Cledus T. Judd | |
|---|---|
| Born | James Barry Poole December 18, 1964 United States |
| Occupation(s) | Country music performer, parodist, radio host |
| Years active | 1995–2015, 2018–present |
| Known for | Parodies of country music songs |
James Barry Poole (born December 18, 1964) is an American performer in the country music genre, widely recognized by his stage name Cledus T. Judd. He is best known for creating parodies of well-known country songs, earning him the nickname the "Weird Al" Yankovic of country music. His discography usually features a mix of original comedic compositions alongside his parodies. Throughout his career, Judd has released eleven studio albums and two EPs, with multiple singles making appearances on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. His most successful single on the charts is "I Love NASCAR," a parody of Toby Keith's "I Love This Bar," which reached number 48.
Musical career
To advance his career in country music, Judd moved to Nashville, Tennessee. In 1993, after sharing a residence with Daron Norwood and contemplating returning to his hometown, he wrote a parody of "Indian Outlaw" by Tim McGraw, a pivotal moment that convinced him to dedicate himself to creating parody songs.
1995–1999
Judd's first album, Cledus T. Judd (No Relation), was released in 1995 under Razor & Tie Records. The subtitle "(No Relation)" humorously clarifies that he is not related to Wynonna Judd or Naomi Judd. This debut included parodies extending beyond country music, such as the Eagles' "Hotel California" and "We Are the World" by USA for Africa, which humorously targeted the marriage of Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson.
His follow-up album in 1996, I Stoled This Record, achieved RIAA gold status even though it did not produce charting singles. It featured parodies of hits by Shania Twain, including "(I'm Not in Here for Love) Just a Beer," a take on "(If You're Not in It for Love) I'm Outta Here!", and "If Shania Was Mine," based on "Any Man of Mine". Additionally, it contained two parodies of John Michael Montgomery's "Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)".
The third release, Did I Shave My Back for This?, introduced Judd's first duet with Buck Owens on an original track titled "First Redneck on the Internet." The album also included parodies of artists such as Alan Jackson, Joe Diffie, Brooks & Dunn, Mindy McCready, and Trace Adkins.
In 1998, Juddmental marked Judd's final project with Razor & Tie. This album featured a duet with Daryle Singletary on "Ricky Tidwell's Momma's Gonna Play Football," an original comedy song previously recorded by comedian Tim Wilson. It also included another parody of Twain’s "Honey, I'm Home" titled "Shania, I'm Broke," as well as a spoof of the duet "In Another's Eyes" by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. The release of this particular parody was postponed due to Brooks’ initial concerns about its eligibility for Grammy consideration.
2000–2005
After parting ways with Razor & Tie Records, Judd signed with Monument Records Nashville in 2000 and released his fifth album, Just Another Day in Parodies. This album produced his first single to chart: "My Cellmate Thinks I'm Sexy," a parody of Kenny Chesney's "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy," which reached number 61 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart. Another charting single from this period was "How Do You Milk a Cow," parodying Toby Keith's "How Do You Like Me Now?!", which peaked at number 67 and featured Keith himself in the accompanying video. In 2002, Judd released both Cledus Envy and the holiday-themed Cledus Navidad. He also appeared in Toby Keith's video for "Who's Your Daddy?".
His final release under Monument was the six-track EP A Six Pack of Judd in 2003. Following Monument’s closure of its Nashville division, Judd joined Koch Records Nashville and later that year released the four-song EP The Original Dixie Hick. This collection included his third charting single, "Martie, Natalie and Emily (The Continuing Saga Of)," a parody based on Brad Paisley's "Celebrity".
Judd’s last album with Koch was 2004’s Bipolar and Proud, which yielded two chart singles: "I Love NASCAR," his highest-charting single at number 48 featuring guest vocals from Toby Keith and parodying Keith's "I Love This Bar," and "Bake Me a Country Ham," inspired by Tracy Lawrence's "Paint Me a Birmingham".
2006–2014
By mid-2005, Judd had plans for a tribute album dedicated to Ray Stevens, titled Boogity, Boogity - A Tribute to the Comedic Genius of Ray Stevens, which included covers of Stevens' songs performed by various guest vocalists. The project faced postponement due to Koch's Nashville branch shutting down and was eventually released in 2007 after Judd secured a deal with Asylum-Curb Records. Shortly before this album's debut, he achieved chart success with the standalone single "Illegals," which was not part of any album.
In 2009, Judd returned to Koch, now operating as E1 Music, and introduced the politically charged single "Waitin' on Obama," a parody of Brad Paisley's "Waitin' on a Woman." This release preceded his June album Polyrically Uncorrect. Notable singles from this album included "Garth Must Be Busy," a parody of Brooks & Dunn's "God Must Be Busy" featuring Brooks and Dunn themselves, and "(If I Had) Kellie Pickler's Boobs."
Judd transitioned to Warner Bros. Records in 2012 for the album Parodyziac!!, which showcased the track "Honeymoon," a parody of Little Big Town's "Pontoon." The accompanying video was directed by Laura Bell Bundy.
By late 2014, Judd had signed with RoseyMo, an imprint under Average Joes Entertainment, releasing the single "Luke Bryan." This song parodied Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" and featured guest rap vocals from Colt Ford.
2015 retirement
In January 2015, Judd declared his retirement from the music scene to dedicate more time to raising his daughter, expressing that his passion for continuing had waned. He revealed past battles with cocaine addiction and suicide attempts, crediting a baptism with inspiring his lifestyle transformation. The following year, he published a three-disc memoir entitled Things I Remember Before I Forget.
Additionally, Judd co-wrote "Three Feet of Water," which appears as the closing track on Brantley Gilbert's album The Devil Don't Sleep.
2018 comeback
Mid-2018 marked Judd’s return to recording with the parody "(Weight's Goin') Up Down," spoofing Morgan Wallen's hit "Up Down." This was succeeded by "Gotta Pee," a humorous take on Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line's collaboration "Meant to Be."
Radio and television work
Judd has served as an emcee on tours alongside prominent artists such as Brooks and Dunn, Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, Toby Keith, the Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain, and Montgomery Gentry. His television experience includes co-hosting CMT Most Wanted Live from 2002 to 2004 and acting as a special correspondent on Nashville Star in 2005. He also participated in VH1’s reality series Celebrity Fit Club during its fifth season.
On radio, Judd was the host of the Cledus T. Party Morning Show on Tampa’s WQYK-FM. He later took on the morning host role at Atlanta’s 94.9/The Bull (WUBL-FM) in 2008 before returning to WQYK-FM in 2010 as co-host of the Cledus and Dave Morning Show. In November 2012, he joined WTCR-FM in Huntington, West Virginia—owned by iHeartMedia—as co-host of The Cletus T. Judd Party with Clint and Judy, enabling him to be closer to his daughter.
Musical style
Often referred to as the "Weird" Al Yankovic of country music, Judd’s albums feature a combination of parodies and original compositions frequently addressing current topics. Examples include "My Cellmate Thinks I'm Sexy," a parody of Kenny Chesney’s "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy," and "Waitin' on Obama," released shortly before President Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009.
At the start of his career, Judd employed a deliberately off-key nasal singing style accompanied by a Southern drawl—described by Country Standard Time critic Ken Burke as "Junior Samples on helium." He moved away from this vocal approach beginning with A Six Pack of Judd and continued this change in later albums.
Personal life
Judd was previously married to country artist Julie Reeves, and together they have a daughter named Caitlyn. On October 5, 2017, he wed Amanda Fizer, becoming a stepfather to her two children, Isabella and Jeremiah.
Following his retirement in 2015, Judd dedicated his time to family life and hosting a morning radio program. During his leisure periods, he explored new interests by purchasing and renovating rundown properties.
His comeback to the music scene was inspired by his hero Ray Stevens, who invited him to perform as an opening act at a concert in Kentucky. After receiving a standing ovation from an audience of 1,500, and with encouragement from his daughter, Judd chose to revive his musical career.
Discography
- Albums
- Cledus T. Judd (No Relation) (1995)
- I Stoled This Record (1996)
- Did I Shave My Back for This? (1998)
- Juddmental (1999)
- Just Another Day in Parodies (2000)
- Cledus Envy (2002)
- Cledus Navidad (2002)
- A Six Pack of Judd (EP) (2003)
- The Original Dixie Hick (EP) (2003)
- Bipolar and Proud (2004)
- Boogity, Boogity - A Tribute to the Comedic Genius of Ray Stevens (2007)
- Polyrically Uncorrect (2009)
- Parodyziac!! (2012)
- Things I Remember Before I Forget (2016)