I was in middle school and a sheltered teen in Texas that wasn’t allowed to listen to much. For some reason, country music was more acceptable than others, so it wasn’t long before I was introduced to Wynona Judd. I think I felt a bit connected to her because she was also a redhead from Kentucky. I thought No one else on Earth was one of the sexiest songs of my limited musical experience. I used it for a lip sync in theater class and loved it from then on. I eventually found some of the other Judds’ songs through that doorway.
Naomi and Wynona Judd began recording and performing together when Wynona was just 12-years-old. They have recently met their 25th recording anniversary and are on their final tour called “The Final Encore” to feature new music and many of their hits, including some of Wynona’s solo hits. For the first time ever, The Judds will also feature some Christmas classics to celebrate the holiday season. The tour was kicked off in Green Bay, Wisconsin and will stop in Louisville on December 3, 2010 at the KFC Yum! Center.
According to an article from CMT, the tour is in response to how the fans welcomed them at a CMA Music Festival in Nashville. Wynona was hesitant to appear at the music festival, but found they were welcomed by 50,000 people who were singing every word to every song.
"I was levitating like three feet off the ground," she went on, comparing the thrill to an athlete's glory moment in sports. "It took me a day or so to come off of that high because it was so out-of-body. It was so much bigger than I can even explain and yet it was so real.
"And that's what country music is," she declared. "It was all those people collectively standing there. I don't care what bracket they fall into tax-wise -- rich or poor, black and white, gay, straight -- everybody was singing. And so to me, it's the closest thing we can get to heaven on Earth -- where there are no boundaries."
In addition to being on their first tour in ten years, the Judds will receive The Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. Career Achievement Award in March 2011 at the Country Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards ceremony. The award is presented to an individual artist or act that has made a significant contribution through their creativity, vision, performance or leadership. According to Quad City Times, the Judds have sold 20 million records, scored 15 No. 1 hits and received more than 60 industry awards, including six Grammys, seven consecutive CMA Vocal Group of the Year awards, and the ACM's Top Vocal Duet award.
To further add to the excitement, The Judds have an original TV series debuting in 2011 as a result of a partnership with the Oprah Winfrey Network. The show will follow them as they are on tour.
Naomi Judd is also an inspiration to people facing health problems. Her music career was cut short when she contracted Hepatitis C while working as a nurse, and she has since overcome the liver disease she battled as a result. She went on to become the first national spokesperson for the American Liver Foundation and then wrote eight books for both adults and children, including a memoir titled “Love Can Build a Bridge”.
Health continues to be important to the Judds. Fifteen percent of their fan and VIP specials during this tour go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.The women have also decided to sell an item from which all proceeds will be donated to the hospital.
The Judds are offering a fan special for the “The Last Encore Tour” performance on Friday, Dec. 3 at the KFC Yum! Center. Beginning today, Monday, Nov. 15, select tickets will be offered for $35, reserved seating. The $35 fan special will be available until show time.
Tickets are currently available for $72, $52 and $35, reserved seating, through the Kentucky Exposition Center, the Kentucky International Convention and the KFC Yum! Center Ticket Offices. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster Charge by Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at www.ticketmaster.com. All ticket prices include a facility fee.
Ultimate Judds’ fans are invited to take advantage of the Ultimate VIP Fan Experience with packages ranging from $150 to $500. For more information on the Ultimate VIP Fan Experience, visit www.thejuddstour2010.com.
Mama Says: Episode 6 from The Judds on Vimeo.
