Wynonna Judd Shocks The Crowd With Tribute To Her Mom

The country music world gathered at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Sunday night to honor the legendary Naomi Judd two weeks after she tragically committed suicide at the age of 76. 

During this event, Naomi’s daughter Wynonna dropped a bomb when she revealed that she plans to fulfill the tour dates that she and her mother had been scheduled to perform as part of their “Final Tour” later this year.

‘I’ve Made A Decision’

“I’ve made a decision, and I thought I’d share it on national television that, after a lot of thought, I’m gonna have to honor her and do this tour,” a visibly emotional Wynonna told the crowd last night, according to People Magazine. 

“The show must go on, as hard as it may be, and we will show up together, and you will carry me as you’ve carried me for 38 years,” she added. “So we will continue this spectacle. That’s what she would want, right?”

Earlier in the night, Wynonna described the event for her mother as “devastatingly beautiful.” Her sister Ashley Judd kicked off the night by welcoming the crowd to the Mother Church, explaining that “this is where Mom wanted her public celebration to take place.” She then described Naomi as “everywoman. Perhaps this is why everyone felt they knew her.” 

Related: Ashley Judd Honors Mother Naomi On First Mother’s Day Since Her Passing

‘She Was Totally Extraordinary’

“She was totally extraordinary: the five-time Grammy award winner, the multi-platinum artist, the Hall of Famer who was lauded by millions,” Ashley added. 

After Ashley began the show, Wynonna took the stage to perform “River of Time,” which Naomi co-wrote. For this performance, Wynonna changed the lyrics “my love” to “my momma,” singing: 

“I’m holding back a flood of tears / Just thinking ’bout those happy years / Like all the good times that are no more / My momma is gone, gone, gone forever more.”

The performance was so emotional that Wynonna needed help getting off the stage, and she explained later that she had started to feel dizzy by the end of the song. Check out her performance for yourself below. 

‘She Was A Little Wacky’

The show also included some lighthearted moments, with Ashley joking about her mother at one point. 

“Let’s talk about what a salty single momma she was — enough of this love stuff,” she joked with Wynonna. “Let’s get real. She could be evil!”

“She was a little wacky, but she loved us,” she later added. 

“This isn’t easy,” Wynonna said. “I don’t know why we’re doing this in public. It sucks. But we’re doing it, aren’t we? We’re showing the world what a dysfunctional family does. You show up for each other, right? That’s what we do.”

Related: Naomi Judd’s Cause Of Death Revealed By Daughter Ashley

Watch more of their tributes to Naomi in the video below.

As she left the stage at the end of the show, Wynonna couldn’t help but say, “Did we have fun or what?” 

There’s no doubt that Naomi would agree, and that she would be very proud of her daughters for being strong enough to do this show in her honor. Rest in peace, Naomi Judd.