Naomi Judd: Country Music Hall of Fame ceremony will proceed; Wynonna expected to attend
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By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
The show will go on. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum announced that it would proceed with its medallion ceremony Sunday, a day after the death of Naomi Judd.
Judd, 76, was set to be inducted with her daughter, Wynonna Judd, as the musical duo The Judds. Naomi Judd’s death was confirmed Saturday by her daughters in a statement released to The Associated Press.
Wynonna, 57, is still expected to attend the ceremony, a representative for the Country Music Hall of Fame said in a statement. Red carpet arrivals have been canceled, People reported.
Other inductees at the ceremony will include Eddie Bayers, Ray Charles and Pete Drake.
“The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum joins family and fans in grieving the sudden loss of Naomi Judd,” the Country Music Hall of Fame said in its statement. “Following the wishes of the Judd family, the museum will move forward with the Medallion Ceremony on Sunday ... with Wynonna planning on being in attendance.”
Kyle Young, the CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame, told Billboard that the facility was “shocked and saddened” to learn of Naomi Judd’s death.
“Naomi overcame incredible adversity on her way to a significant place in music history. Her triumphant life story overshadows today’s tragic news,” Young told the website. “Her family has asked that we continue with The Judds’ official Hall of Fame induction on Sunday. We will do so, with heavy hearts and weighted minds. Naomi and daughter Wynonna’s music will endure.”
Naomi Judd died on Saturday from “the disease of mental illness,” according to a statement that Wynonna and her sister Ashley Judd released to the AP.
Naomi and Wynonna last performed together on the CMT Music Awards on April 11, singing their 1990 hit, “Love Can Build a Bridge” with a gospel choir, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The duo had not performed together at an awards show in more than 20 years, Rolling Stone reported,
Between 1984 and 1991, the Judds scored 20 Top Ten hits -- including 14 No. 1 singles, according to the Country Music Hall of Fame website. They also won five Grammy Awards, nine CMA awards and seven ACM awards.
The Judds’ other hits included “Mama He’s Crazy” (1984), “Why Not Me” (1984), “Girls Night Out” (1985), “Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain” in 1986 and “Grandpa” in 1986 and “Turn It Loose” (1988).
The Judds stopped recording in 1991 after doctors diagnosed Naomi Judd with Hepatitis C, WTVF reported.
They had recently announced a farewell tour, the first by The Judds in more than a decade, Variety reported. The 10-date tour was scheduled to begin Sept. 30 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and conclude Oct. 28 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, the entertainment website reported.
Naomi Judd FILE - In this June 10, 2010 file photo,country singer Naomi Judd performs during the opening of the CMA Music Festival at the Riverfront stage in Nashville, Tenn. Judd is hosting a limited-run talk show on SiriusXM called "Think Twice." Her first guest will be Ashley Judd, June 8. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, file) (Wade Payne/AP)
Naomi Judd The Judd's, Naomi Judd, right, and Wynonna Judd speak at a news conference to announce their tour during the CMA Music Festival Thursday, June 10, 2010 at the Riverfront stage in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne) (Wade Payne/AP)
Naomi Judd FILE - Ashley Judd, right, and her mother, Naomi Judd, arrive at the LA premiere of "Olympus Has Fallen," at the ArcLight Theatre, Monday, March 18, 2013, in Los Angeles. Naomi Judd, the Kentucky-born matriarch of the Grammy-winning duo The Judds and mother of Wynonna and Ashley Judd, has died, her family announced Saturday, April 30, 2022. She was 76. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) (Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Naomi Judd FILE - Naomi Judd performs at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, June 13, 2009. Judd, the Kentucky-born matriarch of the Grammy-winning duo The Judds and mother of Wynonna and Ashley Judd, has died, her family announced Saturday, April 30, 2022. She was 76. (AP Photo/Josh Anderson, File) (Josh Anderson/AP)
Naomi Judd at the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2011. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) (Julie Jacobson/AP)
Naomi Judd Country music singer Naomi Judd speaks at a garden party in honor of Maya Angelou at Angelou's home Thursday, May 20, 2010 in Winston-Salem, N.C. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond) (Nell Redmond/AP)
Naomi Judd Artist Naomi Judd performs at "All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers' Farewell Concert Celebration" at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Laura Roberts/Invision/AP) (Laura Roberts/Laura Roberts/Invision/AP)
Naomi Judd Singer Naomi Judd, left, and singer Wynonna Judd of the duo The Judds perform at the Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio, Calif. on Saturday, May 3, 2008. This is the first time The Judds have performed together in over 7 years. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg) (Dan Steinberg/AP)
Naomi Judd From left, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, Naomi Judd and Wynonna Judd are seen onstage at the Girls Night Out: Superstar Women of Country in Las Vegas on Monday, April 4, 2011. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) (Julie Jacobson/AP)
Naomi Judd From left, artists Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd backstage at "All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers' Farewell Concert Celebration" at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Laura Roberts/Invision/AP) (Laura Roberts/Laura Roberts/Invision/AP)
Naomi Judd Naomi Judd arrives at the LA premiere of "Olympus Has Fallen" at the ArcLight Theatre on Monday, March 18, 2013 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Naomi Judd Naomi Judd, left, and Wynonna Judd, of The Judds, perform at the Girls' Night Out: Superstar Women of Country in Las Vegas on Monday, April 4, 2011. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) (Julie Jacobson/AP)
Naomi Judd From left, artists Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd on the red carpet of "All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers' Farewell Concert Celebration" at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Laura Roberts/Invision/AP) (Laura Roberts/Laura Roberts/Invision/AP)
Naomi Judd FILE - Wynonna Judd, left, and her mother, Naomi Judd, of The Judds, perform during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXVIII in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 1994. Naomi Judd, the Kentucky-born matriarch of the Grammy-winning duo The Judds and mother of Wynonna and Ashley Judd, has died, her family announced Saturday, April 30, 2022. She was 76. (AP Photo/Eric Draper, File) (Eric Draper/AP)
Naomi Judd Recording artist Naomi Judd arrives at the 3rd Annual American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP) (Paul A. Hebert/Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP)
Naomi Judd In this May 3, 1994, photo, Naomi Judd pinches the cheeks of Luke Perry after asking him about the title of his new movie, "8 Seconds," during the 29th Academy of Country Music Awards in Universal City, Calif. Perry, who gained instant heartthrob status as wealthy rebel Dylan McKay on "Beverly Hills, 90210," died Monday, March 4, 2019, after suffering a massive stroke, his publicist said. He was 52. (AP Photo/Mark Terrill) (Mark Terrill/AP)
Naomi Judd Rossi Morreale and Naomi Judd on stage during the CMT Music Awards Monday, April 14, 2008, in Nashville, Tenn.. (AP Photo/Jeff Christensen) (Jeff Christensen/AP)
Naomi Judd Country music singers Martina McBride, left, and Naomi Judd sing "Happy Birthday" at a garden party in honor of Maya Angelou at Angelou's home Thursday, May 20, 2010 in Winston-Salem, N.C. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond) (Nell Redmond/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Naomi Judd Wynonna Judd, left, and her mother, Naomi, perform during the Country Music Association awards show in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Oct. 9, 1989. The Judds took home the award for duo of the year. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (MARK HUMPHREY/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Naomi Judd Country music mother-daughter duo the Judds hold their Country Music Awards in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 1, 1991. Daughter Wynona is at left, and mom Naomi smiles at right. (AP Photo) (Anonymous/ASSOCIATED PRESS)