Wynonna Judd has been constantly praised by fans and the media as a symbol of strength, especially for continuing The Judds Final tour without her mother. The music industry was shaken in 2022 when country music legend Naomi Judd passed away at 76 after a long battle with mental illness. The late singer left behind her singing partner and daughter Wynonna and a scheduled final tour date.
The mother-daughter duo sang together on several stages and had a successful career together as they won five Grammy Awards and repeatedly topped the charts before they separated in 1991. The Judds were among the most recognizable and foremost faces in country music. One prominent show the mother-daughter duo performed together in is the Austin City Limits(ACL) show in 1997. However, in a twist of fate, Wynonna returned to sing on this show in November 2024, but this time without her mother. While it was an outstanding performance, it was a painful reminder to both Wynonna and fans of the loss they experienced.
Wynonna Judd paid tribute to her mother at ACL
Wynonna honored her late mother by singing solo at the show. The 60-year-old sang the song “Give a Little Love,” which was a single from their Greatest hit album. Before she began her performance, she tried to lighten the mood; she joked that her mother was a “little prissy butt” and she mimicked her mother’s signature dance style, swinging her arms from right to left.
As she began to sing, it was clear that her performance would leave a lasting impression. The emotion in her powerful voice was palpable, and she poured her heart into each note, displaying skillfulness, a testament to her own musical prowess and talent. Wynonna also sang ten other songs in her set at ACL, which included both her old and new music, like “Rock Bottom” and “All Downhill From Ashland.”
Wynonna Judd shared her struggles with grief
After leaving her audience in awe, Wynonna shared her struggles with grief since Naomi’s passing. She confessed that her faith had been tested since her mother’s death, and she thought she was going to die of a broken heart. She admitted that she felt overwhelming emotions ranging from anger, sadness, and disbelief, but fans and family supported her through it.
Wynonna also explained how she processed her grief. “Music healed me,” she said. In a previous interview, the singer claimed that music was an “incredible opportunity” for her to heal. While some questioned and criticized her for going on tour so soon after her mother’s passing, she responded that it was the only way she could heal.