The Judds

Naomi Judd

(Singer, Songwriter, Author, Actress)

• Given Name: Diana Ellen Judd
• Date of Birth: January 11, 1946
• Place of Birth: Ashland, Kentucky
• Married: 1. Michael Ciminella (div. 1972), 2. Larry Strictland (m. 1989)
• Children: Christina (Wynonna), Ashley

Wynonna Judd (L)

(Singer, Songwriter, Guitar)

• Given Name: Christina Claire Ciminella
• Date of Birth: May 30, 1964
• Place of Birth: Ashland, Kentucky
• Children: Elijah

The mother and daughter duo, the Judds, Naomi and Wynonna, became a major success from unlikely beginnings. Naomi was 18 when she gave birth to Wynonna, and event that caused her to miss her graduation. After a few years she and her two children (by then she had Ashley also) set off for Hollywood, staying for seven years while Naomi worked as a partner in a video production company, a girl Friday to a millionaire and a professional model.

In 1976, they returned to Kentucky, living with no TV and no telephone, the girls continuing their education and Naomi enrolling in nursing school. They listened to the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday nights and grew together with freedom to develop their imaginations. It became evident by the time she was 12 that Wynonna had been blessed with a wonderful voice. She got her first guitar, taught herself to play and began singing around the house with her mother.

The family headed back to the West Coast, where Naomi finished her nursing degree. Naomi’s vintage 1957 Chevrolet was spotted at an intersection by an employee of the Lucasfilm Company and was rented for use in the movie More American Grafitti. Naomi and Wynonna got jobs as extras and Naomi did secretarial work on the set, the money they earned setting them up for a move to Nashville in 1979.

They found a place to live and Naomi worked as a nurse while Wynonna completed high school and they started finding their way around the music business. They didn’t have demo tapes, so they just sang to anyone they thought might help them. They were brought to the attention of RCA’s Joe Galante and another live audition in the boardroom earned them a contract with RCA.

Their first single in 1983 went to Top 20, and their next two singles in 1984 both went to No. 1 and earned them a Grammy Award for "Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal" and ACM’s Award for "Top Vocal Duet" (a title they retained every year from 1985 through 1990 and 1992).

They continued with a string of top hits, more Grammy Awards, Gold and Platinum albums, and numerous honors including being named "No. 5 Top Artist of the Decade" by Billboard. In 1991, Naomi decided to retire because of her chronic active hepatitis and Wynonna continued on a solo career.

Recordings include:

• Mama He’s Crazy
• Why Not Me
• Rockin’ with the Rhythm of the Rain
• Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days)
• Maybe Your Baby’s Got the Blues
• Turn It Loose
• Give a Little Love
• Change of Heart
• Young Love
• Let Me Tell You About Love
• Born to Be Blue
• Love Can Build a Bridge