The Judds Final Tour: In Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Naomi Judd

Live Review

Wynonna. Photo by Mike McKenney.

By Mike McKenney, Rock At Night New England

Live Review: The Judds: Final TourWynonna Judd with Special Guests Martina McBride & Ashley McBryde

DCU Center, Worcester, MA-January 29, 2023

The Judds Final Tour is off and running again, but this second leg of the tour had taken on a higher purpose, honoring the life of Naomi Judd, who tragically took her own life the day before they were inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Wynonna. Photo by Mike McKenney.

Wynonna said, “The first part of the tour was a lot of shock, denial, and accepting it. This leg is more about, I miss her and love her, and I feel that intensely”.

It’s a tall task to set out on tour honoring her Mother, so Wynonna has enlisted her friends Martina McBride, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Brandi Carlile, and Kelsey Ballerini, to join her at different intervals of the tour. Martina McBride and Ashley McBryde (no relation) joined in the celebration for this show.

Martina opened things up with a 40-minute set of her songs and a tribute to Loretta Lynn, “You Ain’t Woman Enough (to take my man),” which had the crowd singing along with her.

When Wynonna took the stage, the audience’s emotions were so palatable that they made an instant connection between Wy and her fans. For the next two hours, Wynonna mustered all her courage and fortitude to pay a beautiful homage to the legacy of Naomi.

Mixing original Judd songs such as “Girl’s Night Out,” “Guardian Angel,” and “River Of Time” with an occasional cover of “I Want To Know What Love Is” (Foreigner), Wynonna’s vocals were perfect. From knock-your-socks-off power, to hear-a-pin drop total control, through years of experience singing with her mom, Wy has harnessed the raw power of her voice, and Ashley McBryde’s smooth harmonizing filled each song.

Backed by one the best bands in the business, Wynonna, Martina, and Ashley, made this show a true celebration of Naomi’s long and industrious life in country music.

Wynonna considered extending this tour but has decided against it, so grab a ticket before it’s too late!

Wynonna’s setlist:

Had a Dream (For the Heart)
(Elvis Presley cover)

Give a Little Love

Girls Night Out

Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain

Love Is Alive

Tell Me Why
(Wynonna Judd song)

I Know Where I’m Going

Let Me Tell You About Love

Guardian Angel

Flies on the Butter (You Can Go Home Again)
(Wynonna Judd song)

Young Love

Rock Bottom
(Wynonna Judd song)

Cry Myself to Sleep

I Want to Know What Love Is
(Foreigner cover)

River of Time

Born to Be Blue

Turn It Loose

She Is His Only Need
(Wynonna Judd song)

I Saw the Light
(Wynonna Judd song)

No One Else on Earth
(Wynonna Judd song)

Love Can Build a Bridge

Mama He’s Crazy

Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days)

Why Not Me

PHOTO GALLERY

Mike McKenney

Punk In the Park – Orlando, FL