The Naomi Judd Estate is offering fans a deeper look into the late singer-songwriter's life and career through a virtual exhibit that will open May 1 to mark the second anniversary of the Judds' induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Judd died in April 2022 at the age of 76.
The multi-faceted exhibition, launched by the Naomi Judd estate in partnership with Definitive Authentic and Mercy Community Healthcare, will feature rare and unknown objects. The inaugural collection, titled “Artist,” is the first of five archival collections to be released this year, each focusing on different areas of Judd's life and work. “Artist” will focus on her work with daughter Wynonna Judd as part of the mother-daughter duo The Judds. In the six years between 1984 and 1989, the Judds scored 14 No. 1 Hot Country Songs hits, including “Young Love,” “Why Not Me” and “Turn It Loose.” They also earned five Grammy wins for songs such as “Mama He's Crazy,” “Why Not Me” and “Love Can Build a Bridge.”
The exhibit will include behind-the-scenes photos, awards, a personal set map with handwritten notes, a script from the “Grandpa (Tell Me the Good Old Days)” music video, and more. A portion of the proceeds from the show will benefit the Naomi Judd Mental Health Clinic: A Bridge to Hope, a new mental health ward at Mercy Community Healthcare in Franklin, Tenn. The facility will feature a larger mental health space, including counseling/psychiatry rooms, a parent-child interactive therapy room, prayer space, waiting room and more.
Judd's husband, Larry Strickland, said in a statement: “It is such a blessing for me to honor my wife's life by giving fans a look at the detailed records Naomi has kept over the years. I often walked around the barn and wondered why he insisted on keeping all these items that at the time seemed to be gathering dust. However, I now see that these were more than just things. These were her memories…our memories. These releases are our family's gift to you, its audience, for being there for all of us for the past 40 years. I hope they bring you a sense of Peace and Hope in her memory and the Legacy that is Naomi Judd.”
Cody Chandler, director of Hill Entertainment Group and archivist for the Naomi Judd estate, said in a statement: “Naomi kept meticulous records of photographs and objects. Through them we can explore how she saw herself. We are honored to help the family curate these collections for release. This first collection, simply titled 'Artist', is her way of documenting her time as one half of The Judds. Subsequent collections introduce and revisit other aspects of Naomi that we look forward to sharing with those who meant the most to her, the fans.”
Judd's legacy as an artist and songwriter, and her success as part of The Judds, had previously been recognized through the album Tribute to the Judds, which featured artists such as Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and Ashley McBryde performing Judds classics. The album supported the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Tennessee.
Also forthcoming is the first US vinyl release of the Judds' last studio album, 1990's Love can build a bridgewhich will also include lyric sheets and never-before-seen photos from Naomi Judd's personal scrapbooks.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/country/naomi-judd-estate-virtual-exhibit-rare-memorabilia-1235657835/