Naomi Judd, a Kentucky-born Judd duo who won a Grammy, and the mother of Winona and Ashley Judd have died. She was 76.
The daughters announced her death Saturday in a statement to the Associated Press.
“Today, we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to a mental illness,” the statement said.
“We are devastated. We are experiencing deep grief and we know that just as we loved her, she was loved by her audience. We are in unfamiliar territory.”
Today, we sisters have experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother due to mental illness. We are broken. We are guided by deep sorrow and we know that as we loved her, she was loved by her audience. We are in unfamiliar territory.
– @ AshleyJudd
Judd died near Nashville, according to a statement issued on behalf of her husband and fellow singer Larry Strickland. It said more details about her death would not be released and asked for privacy as the family mourned.
Judd, including Naomi and Winona, was due to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday, and they have just announced a tour of the arena, which will begin in the fall, their first tour in more than a decade. They also returned to the awards show when they performed at the CMT Music Awards earlier this month.
“I am honored to have witnessed love build a bridge just a few weeks ago,” singer Maron Morris wrote on Twitter on Saturday.
Rest in peace, Naomi Judd. I am honored to have witnessed “Love Can Build a Bridge” just a few weeks ago. 🤍😔
– @MarenMoris
“This is heartbreaking news! Naomi Judd was one of the nicest people I’ve ever known,” singer Travis Trit wrote on Twitter, noting that he worked with Judd several times on screen and during performances.
14 songs №1
The mother-daughter performers brought 14 songs № 1 into a career that lasted nearly three decades. After rising to the top of country music, they gave up in 1991 after doctors diagnosed Naomi Judd with hepatitis. Wynonna continued her solo career.
Judd’s hits include Love Can Build a Bridge in 1990, Mama He’s Crazy in 1984, Why Not Me in 1984, Turn It Loose in 1988, Girls Night Out in 1985, Rockin ‘With the Rhythm of the Rain in 1986 and Grandpa in 1986
Judd, in the center, is shown with daughters Ashley, left, and Winona in New York City in October 2003. Judd and Winona, who introduced themselves as Judd, scored 14 songs № 1 in a career spanning nearly three decades. (Anthony Savignano / Reuters)
Born Diana Ellen Judd in Ashland, Kentucky, Naomi Judd was working as a nurse in Nashville when she and Winona began singing together professionally. Their unique harmonies, together with elements of acoustic music, bluegrass and blues, highlight them in the genre of that time.
“We had such a stamp of originality in what we were trying to do,” Naomi told the Associated Press after it was announced that they would join the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Judd released six studio albums and an EP between 1984 and 1991. They won nine Country Music Association Awards and seven Country Music Academy Awards. They won a total of five Grammy Awards together for hits such as Why Not Me and Give A Little Love.
Judd, right, shown with his daughter Winona in Nashville in 2011, won numerous Grammy Awards for making music together. (Rick Diamond / Getty Images)
The Jews sang about family, faith in marriage, and the virtue of fidelity. Because Naomi Judd looked so young, the two were mistaken for sisters early in their careers.
They first caught attention when they sang at Ralph Emery’s morning show in the early 1980s, where the host called them “The Soap Sisters” because Naomi said she made her own soap.
Following the success of Mama He’s Crazy, they won the Horizon Award at the 1984 CMA Awards. Naomi began her speech with the words, “Hit the dog and spit in the fire!”
Daughter Ashley Judd is an actor known for her roles in films such as Kiss the Girls, Double Jeopardy and Heat.
Strickland, who was Elvis Presley’s backup singer, was married to Naomi Judd for 32 years.
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