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The Judds

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Data updated on 2024-11-16 17:24:22 UTC
The Judds shaped and defined the sound of contemporary country music in the 1980s. Mother Naomi and daughter Wynonna enjoyed an astounding run of 14 number one singles from 1984 to 1989, ranking them as one of the most popular country acts of the '80s. Their music combined elements of traditional country harmony singing, bluegrass, and Appalachian folk with pop, rock, and polished contemporary production. Moreover, Wynonna's powerful, bluesy lead vocals established her as one of the finest female country singers of her era. But even more important than their widely accessible sound -- or their considerable visual appeal -- was their sympathetic understanding of working-class women and small-town life, learned through long, hard struggles of their own. Though their off-stage relationship was often more contentious than it appeared, it took a life-threatening illness to bring the Judds to a halt -- Naomi retired from performing when she was diagnosed with Hepatitis C but beat the disease to watch Wynonna enjoy an acclaimed solo career.

The Judds' story began in Ashland, Kentucky, where Naomi was born Diana Ellen Judd on January 11, 1946. An honor roll student, she often played piano in the Baptist church her family attended but shocked the town by getting pregnant at the age of 17 by a man who immediately abandoned her. Hoping to save face, she married new sweetheart Michael Ciminella but missed her high school graduation, giving birth to Wynonna (born Christina Ciminella, May 30, 1964); to make matters worse, her brother died of cancer not long after, and her parents divorced. In 1968, the family moved to Los Angeles, and new daughter Ashley (later a successful movie star) was born not long after. Unfortunately, the marriage broke apart in 1972, and the family often survived on welfare while Diana bounced between jobs (waitressing, modeling, serving as secretary for the pop-soul group the 5th Dimension) and endured an abusive rebound relationship. In 1976, she moved the family back to Kentucky, where they lived in a mountain home with no phone or TV. Music helped pass the time, and Wynonna began playing the guitar and harmonizing with her mother, who was in the meantime studying to become a nurse. She renamed herself Naomi and brought the family back to the West Coast to finish her nursing degree. Wynonna's singing talent was by then readily apparent, and in 1979, the Judds moved to Nashville in hopes of making it in the music business.

Naomi and Wynonna made tapes of themselves on a cheap cassette recorder and sometimes sang on Ralph Emery's local morning show. They caught their first big break through Naomi's nursing job: one of her patients happened to be the daughter of record producer Brent Maher, and that contact eventually led to an audition for RCA executives in early 1983. The Judds were signed on the spot and issued their debut single, "Had a Dream (For the Heart)," late in the year. It reached the country Top 20, and it was accompanied by a quickly assembled mini-album, The Judds. Their second single, "Mama He's Crazy," was a breakout hit that went all the way to number one and later won a Grammy for Best Country Vocal by a Duo or Group. Their first true full-length, Why Not Me, was released in 1984 and took its place as a classic of modern country, establishing the Judds as spokeswomen for a new generation of female country music fans. The Grammy-winning title track, "Girls Night Out," and "Love Is Alive" all went on to top the country charts, as did the album, which sold over a million copies.

The Judds were now full-fledged stars, and they spent the rest of the '80s cranking out hit after hit. 1985's exuberant Rockin' with the Rhythm spawned four number one singles in "Have Mercy," "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)" (another Grammy winner), "Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Rain," and "Cry Myself to Sleep." 1987's Heartland was widely viewed as more uneven than its predecessors but kept their hit streak going strong with the chart-toppers "I Know Where I'm Going," "Maybe Your Baby's Got the Blues," and "Turn It Loose." The ten-track Greatest Hits was released in 1988 and featured two new songs: "Give a Little Love," which went to number two and won another Grammy, and "Change of Heart," which hit number one. 1989's River of Time became the first Judds album not to top the country charts since their debut mini-album but continued their streak of consecutive million-sellers all the same. "Young Love (Strong Love)" and "Let Me Tell You About Love" both hit number one and would prove to be the last Judds songs to do so.

By this point in the Judds' career, mother and daughter were clearly distinct personalities. Naomi was the extroverted stage presence, the sometime songwriter, and the ambitious businesswoman who steered the group's career and pushed her daughter to keep realizing her talent. Wynonna -- despite her quiet, reserved demeanor -- was a prodigiously talented vocal stylist who grew surer of herself with every passing release and rebelled more and more forcefully against her mother's direction. By the time Love Can Build a Bridge was released in 1990, there was already speculation that Wynonna was ready to mount a solo career. Not long after the album was released, Naomi announced that she had been diagnosed with hepatitis C, a chronic and life-threatening illness that she had likely contracted from a needle during her days as a nurse. The constant touring had already begun to take its toll on her health, and she elected to retire from performing and recording, following one last farewell tour in 1991. Love Can Build a Bridge produced several hits, including the Top Fivers "Born to Be Blue" and the title track, and the tour was unsurprisingly a blockbuster success.

Wynonna released her solo debut in 1992 and followed it with several more successful albums over the course of the '90s. Naomi, meanwhile, sought alternative medical treatment for the disease that was expected to take her life in several years. She published her autobiography, Love Can Build a Bridge, in 1993; the book was later turned into a TV movie. By 1999, Naomi's hepatitis had somehow gone into remission, and she and Wynonna reunited for a gala New Year's Eve concert to ring in the new millennium; it was later released as The Judds Reunion Live. A full-fledged reunion tour followed in 2000, and four newly recorded Judds songs were issued exclusively on a bonus disc included with Wynonna's solo album New Day Dawning. Following the tour, Wynonna resumed her solo career, while Naomi made her living as a motivational speaker, television personality, and actress. Naomi Judd died on April 30, 2022, near Nashville at the age of 76, the day before the Judds were to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and shortly after the duo had announced a reunion tour scheduled to begin in September 2022. Wynonna and her sister Ashley gave a public memorial for Naomi on May 15, at which Wynonna announced that she would fulfill the commitment to the reunion tour. ~ Steve Huey, Rovi

Total plays

296.9 million
Updated on 2024-11-16

Monthly listeners

1,188,120

Followers

815,354

Top Cities

  1. United States
    23,010 listeners
  2. United States
    19,818 listeners
  3. United States
    15,974 listeners
  4. Australia
    14,459 listeners
  5. United States
    14,358 listeners

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Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout The Good Old Days)
Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout The Good Old Days)
69,411,087 4:15 1985-10-30
Why Not Me
Why Not Me
61,532,571 3:29 1984-10-15
Mama He's Crazy
Mama He's Crazy
31,721,810 3:15 1984-01-10
Love Can Build A Bridge
Love Can Build A Bridge
19,880,847 5:23 1990-09-11
Rockin' With The Rhythm Of The Rain
Rockin' With The Rhythm Of The Rain
18,945,140 2:40 1985-10-30
Love Is Alive
Love Is Alive
14,416,112 3:57 1984-10-15
Have Mercy
Have Mercy
12,900,433 3:21 1985-10-30
Young Love (Strong Love)
Young Love (Strong Love)
9,238,125 4:23 1989-04-04
Girls Night Out
Girls Night Out
7,096,580 2:53 1984-10-15
Turn It Loose
Turn It Loose
6,223,983 3:45 1987-02-02
I Know Where I'm Going
I Know Where I'm Going
5,955,028 3:38 1987-02-02
Cry Myself To Sleep
Cry Myself To Sleep
5,520,663 3:41 1984-01-10
Give A Little Love
Give A Little Love
3,119,211 3:49 1988-08-02
Flies On The Butter (You Can't Go Home Again)
Flies On The Butter (You Can't Go Home Again)
2,678,802 4:31 2003-08-05
Maybe Your Baby's Got The Blues
Maybe Your Baby's Got The Blues
1,511,822 3:32 1987-02-02
Love Can Build A Bridge - Single Edit
Love Can Build A Bridge - Single Edit
1,282,787 3:53 2016-04-29
Let Me Tell You About Love
Let Me Tell You About Love
1,279,787 3:02 1989-04-04
Don't Be Cruel
Don't Be Cruel
1,230,162 2:28 1987-02-02
Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem
Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem
1,226,703 3:27 1987-09-29
Change Of Heart
Change Of Heart
1,198,436 3:35 1984-01-10
One Man Woman
One Man Woman
781,550 4:08 1989-04-04
John Deere Tractor
John Deere Tractor
748,195 3:30 1984-01-10
River Of Time
River Of Time
721,485 4:30 1989-04-04
I Will Stand By You
I Will Stand By You
705,283 3:44 2011-04-05
Water Of Love
Water Of Love
696,658 4:18 1989-04-04
Guardian Angels
Guardian Angels
681,334 3:36 1989-04-04
Mr. Pain
Mr. Pain
627,452 3:23 1984-10-15
Working In The Coal Mine
Working In The Coal Mine
614,041 3:05 1985-10-30
Born To Be Blue
Born To Be Blue
606,177 4:51 1990-09-11
Had A Dream (For The Heart)
Had A Dream (For The Heart)
604,794 3:11 1984-01-10
Born To Be Blue - Single Edit
Born To Be Blue - Single Edit
549,942 3:44 2017-06-30
The Sweetest Gift
The Sweetest Gift
513,979 3:53 1987-02-02
What Child Is This
What Child Is This
478,488 3:26 1987-09-29
One Hundred And Two
One Hundred And Two
451,142 3:56 1990-09-11
Back Home
Back Home
406,978 3:48 2011-04-05
Silver Bells
Silver Bells
405,592 2:59 1987-09-29
She Is His Only Need - Live
She Is His Only Need - Live
394,638 4:50 2000-05-09
Bye Bye Baby Blues
Bye Bye Baby Blues
390,838 2:59 1984-10-15
Away In A Manger
Away In A Manger
375,920 2:28 1987-09-29
Drops Of Water
Drops Of Water
353,024 3:28 1984-10-15
My Baby's Gone
My Baby's Gone
336,357 2:51 1984-10-15
My Strongest Weakness - Live
My Strongest Weakness - Live
331,764 4:49 2000-05-09
Calling In The Wind
Calling In The Wind
329,888 3:57 1990-09-11
Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland
326,041 3:47 1987-09-29
Tears For You
Tears For You
325,352 3:53 1985-10-30
Dream Chaser
Dream Chaser
314,375 3:41 1984-01-10
I'm Falling In Love Tonight
I'm Falling In Love Tonight
311,167 3:46 1987-02-02
I Saw The Light - Live
I Saw The Light - Live
307,885 4:08 2000-05-09
I Wish She Wouldn't Treat You That Way
I Wish She Wouldn't Treat You That Way
306,661 3:01 1985-10-30
O Holy Night
O Holy Night
298,121 4:02 1987-09-29
Cadillac Red
Cadillac Red
291,332 3:13 1989-04-04
Rompin' Stompin' Blues
Rompin' Stompin' Blues
283,100 4:15 1990-09-11
This Country's Rockin'
This Country's Rockin'
282,477 3:01 1990-09-11
Who Is This Babe
Who Is This Babe
252,328 3:03 1987-09-29
That's What Makes You Strong
That's What Makes You Strong
249,726 4:21 2000-02-01
River Roll On
River Roll On
249,726 3:52 1985-10-30
Old Pictures
Old Pictures
249,030 3:46 1987-02-02
Endless Sleep
Endless Sleep
244,379 3:10 1984-10-15
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
243,486 2:51 1987-09-29
Silent Night
Silent Night
234,044 3:16 1987-09-29
In My Dreams
In My Dreams
217,384 3:38 1990-09-11
Rockin' With The Rhythm Of The Rain - Live
Rockin' With The Rhythm Of The Rain - Live
215,273 3:10 2000-05-09
Isn't He A Strange One
Isn't He A Strange One
196,874 3:27 1984-01-10
Sleepless Night
Sleepless Night
196,071 2:30 1989-04-04
Can't Nobody Love You (Like I Do) - Live
Can't Nobody Love You (Like I Do) - Live
181,428 3:41 2000-05-09
Rock Bottom - Live
Rock Bottom - Live
169,496 3:22 2000-05-09
Sleeping Heart
Sleeping Heart
160,759 3:11 1984-10-15
Cow Cow Boogie
Cow Cow Boogie
155,200 3:30 1987-02-02
Talk About Love
Talk About Love
153,686 3:16 1990-09-11
If I Were You
If I Were You
135,905 2:49 1985-10-30
Have Mercy - Live
Have Mercy - Live
125,073 4:20 2000-05-09
Do I Dare
Do I Dare
122,831 3:24 1989-04-04
Girls Night Out - Live
Girls Night Out - Live
121,277 3:09 2000-05-09
Turn It Loose - Live
Turn It Loose - Live
110,795 3:41 2000-05-09
Why Don't You Believe Me
Why Don't You Believe Me
104,979 3:29 1987-02-02
Blue Nun Café
Blue Nun Café
98,505 2:31 1984-01-10
I Know Where I'm Going - Live
I Know Where I'm Going - Live
85,720 3:54 2000-05-09
Don't You Hear Jerusalem Moan?
Don't You Hear Jerusalem Moan?
81,488 2:59 1996-04-02
Love Can Build A Bridge - Live
Love Can Build A Bridge - Live
72,484 7:50 2000-05-09
Love Is Alive - Live
Love Is Alive - Live
68,146 4:22 2000-05-09
River Of Time - Live
River Of Time - Live
63,976 4:26 2000-05-09
Not My Baby
Not My Baby
61,051 3:37 1989-04-04
Why Not Me - Live
Why Not Me - Live
60,388 3:56 2000-05-09
Grandpa (Tell Me Bout The Good Old Days) - Live
Grandpa (Tell Me Bout The Good Old Days) - Live
56,696 5:37 2000-05-09
Give A Little Love - Live
Give A Little Love - Live
56,647 4:14 2000-05-09
Mama He's Crazy - Live
Mama He's Crazy - Live
54,426 4:03 2000-05-09
Are The Roses Not Blooming?
Are The Roses Not Blooming?
51,844 3:11 1990-09-11
Lazy Country Evening
Lazy Country Evening
49,476 3:14 1992-09-15
When King Jesus Calls His Children Home (Studio Work Tape)
When King Jesus Calls His Children Home (Studio Work Tape)
46,199 3:37 1992-09-15
Come Some Rainy Day - Live
Come Some Rainy Day - Live
44,078 3:51 2000-05-09
Auld Lang Syne - Live
Auld Lang Syne - Live
44,062 4:16 2000-05-09
Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout The Good Old Days)
Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout The Good Old Days)
43,041 4:04 1996-04-02
Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout The Good Old Days) [Studio Work Tape]
Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout The Good Old Days) [Studio Work Tape]
43,041 4:05 1992-09-15
Wyld Unknown - Live
Wyld Unknown - Live
40,271 4:00 2000-05-09
Had A Dream (For The Heart) - Live
Had A Dream (For The Heart) - Live
39,233 3:30 2000-05-09
Tuff Enuff - Live
Tuff Enuff - Live
37,400 5:26 2000-05-09
Freedom - Live
Freedom - Live
32,142 8:10 2000-05-09
Big Bang Boogie
Big Bang Boogie
27,088 3:12 2000-02-01
Stuck In Love
Stuck In Love
19,364 3:48 2000-02-01
90's Was The 60's Turned Upside Down
90's Was The 60's Turned Upside Down
14,055 4:26 2000-02-01
Why Not Me (Studio Work Tape)
Why Not Me (Studio Work Tape)
6,784 3:18 1992-09-15
Working In The Coal Mine (Studio Work Tape)
Working In The Coal Mine (Studio Work Tape)
4,848 2:57 1992-09-15
River Roll On (Studio Work Tape)
River Roll On (Studio Work Tape)
4,762 3:49 1992-09-15
Rockin' With The Rhythm Of The Rain (Studio Work Tape)
Rockin' With The Rhythm Of The Rain (Studio Work Tape)
4,660 3:00 1992-09-15
My Baby's Gone (Studio Work Tape)
My Baby's Gone (Studio Work Tape)
4,561 2:46 1992-09-15
Love Is Alive (Studio Work Tape)
Love Is Alive (Studio Work Tape)
4,420 3:25 1992-09-15
Cow Cow Boogie (Studio Work Tape)
Cow Cow Boogie (Studio Work Tape)
4,301 3:09 1992-09-15
Give A Little Love (Studio Work Tape)
Give A Little Love (Studio Work Tape)
4,255 5:11 1992-09-15

New releases

Love Can Build A Bridge: Best Of The Judds
Love Can Build A Bridge: Best Of The Judds
2022-04-08
[Curb Records]
All-Time Greatest Hits
All-Time Greatest Hits
2017-06-30
[Curb Records]
Love Can Build A Bridge: Songs Of Faith, Hope & Love
Love Can Build A Bridge: Songs Of Faith, Hope & Love
2016-04-29
[Curb Records]
I Will Stand By You - The Essential Collection
I Will Stand By You - The Essential Collection
2011-04-05
[Curb Records]
Reunion Live
Reunion Live
2000-05-09
[Curb Records]
Spiritual Reflections
Spiritual Reflections
1996-04-02
[Curb Records]
Number One Hits
Number One Hits
1994-10-25
[Curb Records]
The Judds Collection
The Judds Collection
1992-09-15
[Curb Records]
Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
1991-09-10
[Curb Records]
Love Can Build A Bridge
Love Can Build A Bridge
1990-09-11
[Curb Records]
River Of Time
River Of Time
1989-04-04
[Curb Records]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
1988-08-02
[Curb Records]
Christmas Time With The Judds
Christmas Time With The Judds
1987-09-29
[Curb Records]
Heartland
Heartland
1987-02-02
[Curb Records]
Rockin' With The Rhythm
Rockin' With The Rhythm
1985-10-30
[Curb Records]
Why Not Me
Why Not Me
1984-10-15
[Curb Records]
Wynonna & Naomi
Wynonna & Naomi
1984-01-10
[Curb Records]