The Judds - Biography
By J Poet
The Judds are the most successful female duo in the history of Country music. They won five Grammys, racked up six platinum and four gold records, and sold over 20 million albums. Wynonna’s vocal pyrotechnics have had a strong influence on many of the female country singers that followed in her wake and their acoustic based, folk and blues tinged old time country sound helped set the stage for the neo-traditional (the so-called Hat Acts) movement of the early 90s. Their strong female sensibility (although both deny being feminists) struck a chord with women in Middle America and made them an inspiration for working women facing the same struggles The Judds overcame. The duo had a somewhat contentious relationship and when Naomi was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 1990 they did one final tour and broke up with Wynonna Judd going on to a stellar solo career. In 1991, her hepatitis in remission, Naomi rejoined her daughter for a reunion concert and tour. Their Final Concert pay per view is the highest rated special of all time and their second “Final Tour” was the highest grossing concert event of 1991. Wynonna continues to top the charts today and Naomi is currently a motivational speaker.
Naomi Judd grew up in Ashland, KY, in a family torn apart by alcohol and the early death of her brother Brian from cancer. She was popular in high school, but in 1964 she got pregnant and married her high school boy friend, Mike Ciminella, although he was not Wynonna’s father. The family moved to LA where Ashley was born. When her marriage collapsed, Naomi went back to her family name and the next few years were hard on the single mother helmed family of three. Naomi worked various survival level jobs and moved back to Kentucky to go to nursing school in 1975. When Wynonna started playing guitar and singing, Naomi introduced her to Hazel & Alice, Emmylou Harris and The Delmore Brothers. Mother and daughter started harmonizing and dreaming of being country music stars. From 1977 to 1979 The Judds were back in California where they made their first public appearance backed by The Moonlighters, the band Bill Kirchen started after he left Commander Cody. In 79, back in Tennessee, The Judds landed a regular spot on Ralph Emory’s early morning TV show as The Soap Sisters. Naomi labored as a nurse and shopped a demo she’d made with Wynonna to anyone and everyone for two years. In 1981 she nursed the daughter of RCA Records producer Brent Maher and convinced him to come hear her and Wynonna sing at their home. He was impressed and invited them to come to Nashville and sing for Curb and RCA Record execs. They were signed on the spot.
The first Judds release was an eight song mini-album Wynonna & Naomi (1983 RCA) and the first single “John Deere Tractor” stalled at #17. Single number two, “Mama He’s Crazy” shot to #1 Country, won a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Duo and The Judds were off and running. For the rest of the 80s, The Judds were an unstoppable hit machine. Why Not Me (1984 RCA) went double platinum, they got another Grammy for the title tune, and “Why Not Me,” “Girls Night Out,” and “Love Is Alive” all went to #1. Rockin’ with the Rhythm (1985 RCA) went platinum and “Have Mercy,” “Grandpa” and the title track topped the charts. Heartland (1987 RCA) earned another platinum award and three more #1’s “Cry Myself to Sleep,” “I Know Where I'm Going” and “Maybe Your Baby's Got the Blues.” Greatest Hits (1988 RCA) went double platinum and the album’s one new track “Turn It Loose” hit #1 and won another Grammy. River of Time (1989 RCA) went gold and added another #1 to their catalogue “Let Me Tell You About Love” a Carl Perkins tune that featured Perkins on rockabilly guitar.
In 1990 Naomi was diagnosed with hepatitis C. Before starting treatment for the disease they did a Farewell Tour and made the first 3-D music video, for “Love Can Build a Bridge” and cut the gold album Love Can Build a Bridge (1990 RCA). They closed their “final” year by taking home awards for Top Vocal Duet by the Academy of Country Music, Vocal Duo of the Year by the Country Music Association and #5 Top Artists of the Decade by Billboard. In 1991, her hepatitis in remission, Naomi and Wynonna toured again. Their Final Concert pay per view is the highest rated special of all time and their “Final Tour” was the highest grossing concert event of 1991. Their third reunion event in 2000 was a CBS TV special and successful album The Judds Reunion Live (2000 MCA/Curb.)
Wynonna’s solo career exploded with her first album Wynonna (1992 Crub/MCA) a five times platinum record with four #1 hits. She continues to top the charts while Naomi has become a star on the motivational speaker’s circuit.
