Naomi Judd’s public memorial service will air live Sunday on CMT
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By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A public memorial celebrating the life of country music legend Naomi Judd will air live Sunday on CMT, the network announced Wednesday.
“Naomi Judd: A River Of Time Celebration” will be held commercial-free at the Ryman Auditorium, the former home of the Grand Ole Opry, at 6 p.m. EDT, Variety reported
The singer died April 30 at the age of 76, her daughters, Ashley Judd and Wynonna Judd, announced in a statement to The Associated Press. The statement noted that Naomi Judd succumbed “to the disease of mental illness.”
Naomi Judd’s death came a day before the musical duo The Judds -- Naomi and Wynonna -- were scheduled to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
“We are sincerely privileged to work alongside Wynonna, Ashley and Larry to present this live celebration of life for their mother and wife Naomi,” CMT said in a statement Wednesday. “While we all continue to deeply mourn the loss of such a legendary artist, we are honored to commemorate her legacy alongside the country community, her friends, family and legions of fans across the world at the perfect venue: The Mother Church of Country Music. This special will celebrate her timeless voice, unforgettable spirit and the immense impact she left on our genre through the best form of healing we have -- music.”
CMT will produce the service in partnership with promoter Sandbox Live, The Tennessean reported. Fans wanting to attend the show in Nashville can RSVP at aud615.com.
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 duo had not performed together at an awards show in more than 20 years, Rolling Stone reported, until they sang their 1990 hit, “Love Can Build a Bridge,” on April 11 at the 2022 CMT Music 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.
Performers and special appearances for Sunday’s service will be announced over the next few days, CMT said in its release.
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Wynonna Judd, right, hugs sister Ashley Judd during the Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall Of Fame Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Wynonna Judd, second from the right, stands next to the Judds' induction plaque as sister Ashley Judd, left, Ricky Skaggs, and MC Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum look on during the Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Ricky Skaggs presents Wynonna Judd with her medallion during the Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame as sister Ashley Judd, left, looks on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Ricky Skaggs presents Ashley Judd the medallion that would have been given to her mother Naomi Judd dduring the Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Ashley Judd, left, cries as she speaks as sister Wynonna Judd watches during the Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall Of Fame Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Wynonna Judd pauses as she speaks during the Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Wynonna Judd blows a kiss to attendees during the Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall Of Fame Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Wynonna Judd looks to the sky during the Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Rose Drake, wife of inductee Pete Drake speaks during the Country Music Hall of Fame medallion ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Ronnie Milsap speaks during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Vince Gill, left, and Eddie Bayers pose for a photo with Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Garth Brooks performs during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Vince Gill performs during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Valerie Ervin, president of the Ray Charles Foundation speaks during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Charlie McCall speaks during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Bettye LaVette performs during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Michael Trotter Jr. of War and Treaty performs during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Carly Pearce performs during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Marty Stuart performs during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Tommy Sims performs during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Eddie Bayers speaks during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Tanya Blount of War and Treaty performs during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Photos: The Judds, Ray Charles join Country Music Hall of Fame Wynonna Judd is seen before the Country Music Hall of Fame medallion ceremony on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)