Wynonna Judd Makes Emotional Return to ‘Austin City Limits’ with Tribute to Late Mother Naomi Judd

Country music icon Wynonna Judd made a poignant return to the stage of ‘Austin City Limits‘ on November 9, 2024, marking her first appearance on the show since 1997 and her first since the passing of her mother and musical partner, Naomi Judd, in 2022.

Wynonna’s performance was part of the 50th anniversary season of ‘Austin City Limits’ and featured an 11-song set that included decades of hits as well as new music. One of the standout moments was her biographical song, “All Downhill From Ashland,” which highlights her Kentucky roots. Her eight-piece backing band supported her in a performance that underscored the enduring legacy of The Judds in country music.

The evening was bittersweet as Wynonna took time to address the loss of her mother to the audience. She shared, “This is where it gets real, y’all. I am a woman of faith, and that has been tested these past two years. I lost my momma to suicide, and when she died, I thought I would die of a broken heart. So, instead, I went on tour. A lot of people didn’t understand why. I now understand it’s because the music healed me, and the fans supported me through a very difficult time in my life.”

Wynonna paid a heartfelt tribute to her mother by performing a solo rendition of The Judds’ 1988 hit, “Give a Little Love.” During the song, she joked about her mother’s signature style, adding a touch of levity to the emotional moment. Despite the emotional challenge, Wynonna’s voice remained powerful, and her band was in perfect sync.

The performance was a testament to the lasting musical legacy of The Judds, who topped the charts with numerous hits and received five Grammy Awards and nine CMA awards before disbanding in 1991. Wynonna fondly reflected on their career, saying, “We were something, weren’t we. So different, and yet those Kentucky harmonies are what drove us.”