Wynonna Judd joined forces with Ashley McBryde and Martina McBride for an all-star tribute to the late Loretta Lynn during…
Wynonna Judd joined forces with Ashley McBryde and Martina McBride for an all-star tribute to the late Loretta Lynn during a recent stop on The Judds: The Final Tour.
The star-studded tribute took place during Wynonna’s performance at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, SD on Friday evening (Oct. 7), just three days after Lynn’s passing.
Ashley, Wynonna and Martina honored the late Country Music Hall of Famer with a stunning performance of Lynn’s signature hit, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
“We mustn’t forget where we come from in Country music,” Wynonna said as the trio concluded their tribute.
Country music icon and Grand Ole Opry member, Loretta Lynn died at the age of 90 years old at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee in the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 4.
After hearing the news of Lynn’s passing, Wynonna took to social media to share photos and a heartfelt message in honor of the late Opry member.
“When people ask me what my favorite movie is, “Coal Miner’s Daughter” is my number one. Loretta has always been my favorite, from the time I can remember,” Wynonna wrote.
“As a young girl, I learned about Loretta from listening to her on the Grand Ole Opry. She was the very first country concert I ever saw. I was 15 and living in a Vegas hotel for a bit, and I would go down to one of the casino showrooms to watch her show every night. I was mesmerized from the first time I saw her walk out onstage in her ball gown.”
She went on to reminisce on the first time she had the opportunity to meet Loretta Lynn at the age of 20.
“As I walked into the CMA’s for the first time in 1984, she was the first person who came over and hugged me,” she recalled.
“Loretta was like an aunt to me. I would call her and she would tell me stories. Some of my fondest memories of Loretta come from her telling me all about her life in Butcher Holler. During one of my recent visits to Hurricane Mills, she gave me a Bible and a crocheted doily that her Mama made. I will cherish those forever. It’s really hard for me to comprehend life without her. I will miss our chats on the phone, the sound of her voice telling me she loves me, and hearing her beautiful laughter {at my jokes}…”
Wynonna closed her post by urging fans to never forget Loretta Lynn and her country music legacy.
“We mustn’t ever forget how important this woman was…IS…to country music. Let us all turn up her music a little louder for the next generation. Rest In Peace my beloved “Retty.” I will always love you. 🤍”
The Judds: The Final Tour serves as a tribute to the legacy of The Judds and the late Naomi Judd. The show includes several special moments in honor of Naomi, including a chilling performance of “Love Can Build A Bridge” that features historical footage of Naomi on the giant screen behind Wynonna. A recording of Naomi’s voice can be heard alongside Wynonna as they appear to sing the song together once again.
The remaining dates of the tour will feature a variety of country superstars, including McBryde, Little Big Town, Kelsea Ballerini, Trisha Yearwood, and Faith Hill.
“I continue to find myself both grateful and humbled by the unwavering support from my fellow artists, music community, and of course, the fans,” Wynonna shared in a statement ahead of opening night of the tour. “I am looking so forward to celebrating The Judds music one final time. It will be a bittersweet experience, and one that I will never forget.”
Naomi passed away on April 30 at the age of 76. She died just one day before The Judds were set to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. It was later revealed during Ashley Judds’ sit-down interview with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts that Naomi died of “mental illness” and that she used a “firearm.”
Her life was celebrated at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium with ‘Naomi Judd: A River Of Time Celebration.’ The event served as a tribute to the life and legacy of Naomi Judd and featured performances, special messages, and more from Ashley McBryde, Bette Midler, Bono, Brad Paisley, Brandi Carlile, Carly Pearce, Emmylou Harris & Allison Russell, Gaither Vocal Band, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Morgan Freeman, Oprah Winfrey, Reba McEntire, Reese Witherspoon, Salma Hayek, among others.
The special aired on CMT and was the network’s highest-rated musical special in two years.
The Judds earned 14 No. 1 hits during their career that spanned nearly three decades, including “Love Can Build a Bridge,” “Mama He’s Crazy,” “Why Not Me,” “Turn It Loose,” “Girls Night Out,” “Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain” and “Grandpa.”
The Judds toured in the ’80s where they had a catalog of twenty Top 10 hits, 20 million-plus albums sold, a combined 16 Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum albums, and The Judds Greatest Hits.
Since launching their career in 1983, the duo went on to release six studio albums and an EP. The superstar pair have also won several awards, including nine CMA Awards, seven Academy Of Country Music Awards and five GRAMMY Awards for hits like “Why Not Me” and “Give A Little Love.”
Remaining Dates for The Judds’ Final Tour:
Friday, October 14 – Gas South Arena – Duluth, GA *Little Big Town
Saturday, October 15 – Propst Arena at Von Braun Center – Huntsville, AL *Little Big Town
Friday, October 21 – Choctaw Grand Theatre – Durant, OK *Kelsea Ballerini
Saturday, October 22 – Dickies Arena – Ft. Worth, TX *Trisha Yearwood
Thursday, October 27 – Mississippi Coast Coliseum – Biloxi, MS *Ashley McBryde
Friday, October 28 – Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN *Trisha Yearwood
Saturday, October 29 – Rupp Arena – Lexington, KY *Faith Hill
Tickets are available to purchase HERE.
