The show must continue. Wynonna Judd is moving forward with The Judds’ fall tour as scheduled following her mother and bandmate Naomi Judd’s death in April.
Wynonna, 57 years old, made the announcement during Naomi Judd: A River of Time Celebration, a live televised tribute to the late legend of country music.
“I made a decision and I decided to share it on national television. After much thought, I have decided to honor her by doing this tour. I’m just gonna have to. Because that’s what you would want,” she said during the Sunday, May 15, service, gesturing to the crowd.
The Judd’s fall tour was announced on April 11, just a few weeks before Naomi died by suicide on April 30.
“Bono once told me, ‘Give [the fans] what they want — not what you want,’” the “I Saw the Light” singer explained during the CMT special. “The show must go on. No matter how hard it is. We will be there together, no matter how difficult it may be. You will carry me — as you carried me for 38 years — once again, because I honestly didn’t think I could do it.”
The Judds were founded by Wynonna and Naomi in 1983. The mother-daughter duo won five Grammy Awards and released six studio albums. The country group was inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame on May 1st, one day after Naomi’s passing at the age of 75. Both Wynonna and Naomi’s youngest daughter, Ashley JuddAt the emotional event, he spoke.
“It’s a strange dynamic to be this broken and this blessed … But though my heart is broken, I will continue to sing,” Wynonna said during her speech.
In a statement about the tour announcement, the “She Is His Only Need” singer said, “I am humbled, once again, by the loyalty of the fans who have been with us for 38-plus years, who continue to show up for me when I need them the most. I am grateful that we will continue to honor the Judds’ legacy, together.”
Larry Strickland, Naomi’s husband of 33 years, also released a statement, saying, “I am so happy that in this time of grief for us all, Wynonna has agreed to move forward with this tour as my sweet wife Naomi would have wanted her to do.”
Wynonna will be joined by a rotation of special guests — some of whom are country royalty — as she honors her mother at The Judds’ final shows. Scroll down to find everything you need about the tour.
