The Judds

The Judds
Company type	Duo
Industry	Music
Founded	1983
Founder	Wynonna Judd, Naomi Judd
Headquarters	United States
Products	Music albums, singles

The Judds comprised an American country music pair, featuring lead singer and guitarist Wynonna Judd alongside her mother, Naomi Judd, who provided harmony vocals. After signing with RCA Records in 1983, they released six studio albums by 1991. Recognized as one of country music’s most prominent duos, The Judds garnered five Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and secured nine honors from the Country Music Association. They achieved over twenty entries on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including fourteen chart-topping singles. The partnership concluded in 1991 after eight years when Naomi was diagnosed with hepatitis C. Wynonna then embarked on a flourishing solo career, although the duo reunited on multiple occasions.

Following their final appearance at the CMT Music Awards in April, Naomi Judd tragically died by suicide on April 30, 2022, prior to their induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Early life and career

Born Diana Ellen Judd on January 11, 1946, in Ashland, Kentucky, Naomi Judd played piano during church services. She married Michael Ciminella at age 18 and gave birth to Christina Ciminella, who later became known as Wynonna Judd. Although Ciminella was recognized as Wynonna’s father, Naomi had conceived her with a former boyfriend named Charles Jordan. Following her parents' separation, Naomi and her daughter relocated to Los Angeles in 1968 and lived on welfare after divorcing Michael in 1972. By 1979, they had moved to Tennessee where Naomi adopted her stage name and began performing alongside Wynonna, who took lead vocals and guitar duties. Naomi also pursued nursing studies during this period.

Despite encountering sexual harassment and repeated rejections, Naomi vigorously promoted the duo. She produced a $30 cassette demo and persistently sought the interest of Nashville producers. In 1983, through a connection with record producer Brent Maher, The Judds earned an audition with executives at RCA Records, who promptly signed them after hearing their performance.

Musical career

The Judds’ initial release under RCA/Curb was an extended play titled Wynonna & Naomi, containing six tracks including two singles. Their debut single, "Had a Dream (For the Heart)", penned by Dennis Linde and originally recorded by Elvis Presley, reached No. 17 on the Hot Country Songs charts. The follow-up single, "Mama He's Crazy" written by Kenny O'Dell, became their first of eight consecutive No. 1 country hits and earned them their initial Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Their first full-length album, Why Not Me (1984), positioned them as influential figures among a new wave of female country music enthusiasts. This album yielded three singles: the Grammy-winning title track, "Girls Night Out", and "Love Is Alive". It achieved sales exceeding one million copies in the United States.

The 1985 album Rockin' with the Rhythm featured four singles including "Have Mercy", which was their sole track to maintain No. 1 on Hot Country Songs for two consecutive weeks. The follow-up single "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Ol' Days)" won Grammys for both Best Country Performance and Best Country Song in 1987. Additional tracks from this album included "Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Rain" and "Cry Myself to Sleep".

Released in 1987, Heartland opened with another Elvis Presley cover, "Don't Be Cruel", featuring backing vocals from The Jordanaires. This album was viewed as less consistent compared to their earlier work. Singles from Heartland included "I Know Where I'm Going", "Maybe Your Baby's Got the Blues", and "Turn It Loose". Their 1988 compilation Greatest Hits incorporated two new songs: "Give a Little Love" and Naomi’s solo track "Change of Heart", which secured their fourth Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

1988 until disbanding

The 1989 release of River of Time marked the first instance where one of their albums did not secure the top position on the Top Country Albums chart. Although sales declined, the album delivered their final chart-topping singles, "Young Love (Strong Love)" and "Let Me Tell You About Love", the latter featuring Carl Perkins on lead guitar. Later singles experienced diminished success, with "Guardian Angels" notably missing the Top 10.

During this period, Wynonna and Naomi's personalities began to diverge: Naomi embodied the outgoing business mind steering their professional path, whereas Wynonna, a gifted yet more reserved vocalist, increasingly sought autonomy from her mother's control. Amid rumors of a potential split, they issued their last studio album, Love Can Build a Bridge, in 1990. This album contained tracks such as "Born to Be Blue" and the Grammy-winning title song, co-written by Naomi alongside Paul Overstreet and John Barlow Jarvis. The release was accompanied by a farewell tour. Their career phase concluded with Greatest Hits Volume Two in 1991, which included the single "John Deere Tractor".

The Judds wrapped up their collaboration with a Farewell Tour in 1991, culminating in a December 4 performance at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This concert was recorded for the television special The Judds: Their Final Concert. The event featured guest appearances by Carl Perkins, Reba McEntire, and Larry Gatlin, and included a poignant moment where Naomi encouraged Wynonna to embark on her solo career.

Following their disbandment, Wynonna signed with MCA Records and Curb Records between 1992 and 1997 before continuing exclusively with Curb. As a solo artist, she achieved over 25 charting singles, including four No. 1 hits on Hot Country Songs: her initial three releases—"[She Is His Only Need]", "I Saw the Light", and "No One Else on Earth"—all in 1992, plus "To Be Loved by You" in 1996.

Reunion shows

Wynonna and Naomi briefly came together for the halftime show at Super Bowl XXVIII and reunited again in a Kmart commercial performing "Changing for the Better." They toured as The Judds in 1998, released another single under that name, and earned a nomination for Duo of the Year from the Academy of Country Music in 2001. Naomi also contributed harmony vocals to Wynonna's 2004 single "Flies on the Butter (You Can't Go Home Again)", credited as "Wynonna with Naomi Judd."

The pair held a one-time New Year's Eve concert in 1999 in Phoenix, Arizona, joined by Wynonna's half-sister Ashley Judd; this 23-song performance was later issued as The Judds Reunion Live, produced by Naomi’s husband Larry Strickland.

In 2008, The Judds reunited for a Stagecoach Festival appearance in Indio, California, as well as two Canadian concerts including performances at the Calgary Stampede and Merritt Mountain Music Festival. They appeared again at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville in 2009.

In February 2010, Wynonna announced on CBS’s The Early Show that The Judds planned a final tour along with a new studio album before year-end. The Last Encore Tour initially covered 18 U.S. cities but expanded to 29 dates throughout 2011.

On September 14, 2010, they were guests on The Oprah Winfrey Show, where they discussed Wynonna's recent personal developments and performed their new single "I Will Stand by You," released that day via iTunes. In April 2011, Curb Records issued I Will Stand by You: The Essential Collection, which included two new tracks alongside twelve hits.

April 2011 also saw the premiere of their reality series The Judds on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. The show followed their concluding concert tour and explored their mother-daughter relationship.

In October 2017, The Judds appeared at "All in for the Gambler," Kenny Rogers' final Nashville concert held at Bridgestone Arena.

Their last joint performance occurred at the 2022 CMT Music Awards, delivering "Love Can Build a Bridge" from the Country Music Hall of Fame stage with Kacey Musgraves introducing them. This marked their first nationally televised awards show appearance in over two decades.

On April 11, 2022, "The Final Tour" was announced featuring Martina McBride as special guest for ten dates starting September 30. Tragically, Naomi died by suicide on April 30, 2022—five months prior to the tour’s commencement. Despite this loss, The Judds were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame the very next day.

Wynonna declared her intention to continue touring under The Judds name alongside Martina McBride and other artists including Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde, Faith Hill, Brandi Carlile, Little Big Town, and Trisha Yearwood. This journey was documented in Wynonna Judd: Between Heaven and Hell, released on April 26, 2023.

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

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Wynonna & Naomi (1984)
Big Bang Boogie (2000)

Academy of Country Music

Top Vocal Duo, 1984
Song of the Year for "Why Not Me," 1984
Top Vocal Duo for six consecutive years, 1985–1990
Recipient of the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, 2013

Country Music Association

Horizon Award, 1984
Single of the Year for "Why Not Me," 1985
Vocal Group of the Year, 1985 through 1987
Vocal Duo of the Year from 1988 to 1991

Grammy Awards

Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Mama He's Crazy," 1985
Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Why Not Me," 1986
Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)," 1987
Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Give A Little Love," 1989
Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Love Can Build A Bridge," 1992

Country Music Hall of Fame

Inducted in 2022

External links