Music industry

Naomi Judd Death: Country music industry reacts and pays tribute

By Nathan L. Winn

When news broke on Saturday that Naomi Judd had passed away, figures from across the music industry expressed their mourning for the country music legend, remembering the life of the Judd family matriarch.

Judd died at the age of 76. No cause of death was immediately given, although in a statement daughters Wynonna Judd and Ashley Judd attributed their mother’s death to “mental illness”.

“Today we sisters experienced a tragedy,” the statement read. “We lost our mother-in-law to mental illness. We are broken. We navigate deep mourning and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her audience. We are in uncharted territory.

The announcement came the day before the Judds were to be officially inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame at a medal ceremony in Nashville. Hall of Fame officials could not immediately be contacted as to whether the ceremony will be canceled or continue in some form.

Carrie Underwood, who is due to perform at the Stagecoach Festival on Saturday night, paid tribute in the afternoon, saying “country music has lost a true legend”.

Maren Morris also paid tribute, recalling Judd’s performance of the Judds’ “Love Can Build a Bridge” at the Country Music Television Music Awards, which took place earlier in April.

The CMT Music Awards shared a video of Judd performing alongside her daughter, honoring the “many unforgettable moments and performances” she was responsible for at the annual ceremony.

Grande Ole Opry star Bill Anderson shared a memory of when he first met Judd on a game show, saying she “was one of a kind.”

TV host and comedian Loni Love recalled her own relationship with Judd and expressed her condolences to the country legend’s daughters.

Actress Rosanna Arquette offered her own condolences to Wynonna and Ashley.

Kristen Chenoweth said it was “an honor” to meet Judd years ago: “I never thought she would go.”

“Today” host Hoda Kotb shared that she and Kathie Lee Gifford, her former co-host of 11 years, treasured Judd’s appearances on the talk show.

Country and gospel quartet Oak Ridge Boys shared that its members were “saddened beyond words” by the sudden loss.

See more tributes to Naomi Judd below:

optional screen reader

Nathan L. Winn
You might also like More from author

Comments are closed.