A Tribute to the Judds, the star-studded album honoring the music of The Judds, is out now. The 14-track record, which features Blake Shelton with Gwen Stefani, Jelly Roll, Dolly Parton, Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Ashley McBryde, Gabby Barrett, Jamey Johnson, Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, and more, became a way for Wynonna to honor not only her mother, Naomi, who passed away in 2022, but also their joint history in country music.
“To have all of these artists, most of which are my friends, come together and lend their voices and artistry to reimagine these songs, is so special,” Wynonna said when the record was announced. “These songs are so timeless and I am so excited for them to live on for generations to come.”
The 59-year-old chose to sing just one song on the record, “Cry Myself To Sleep,” her collaboration with Yearwood. While she loves all of the songs, and the artists on the album, her duet with Yearwood is her favorite track, and her favorite part of putting the project together.
“It’s one of my favorite memories, because Trisha Yearwood and I go way back, yet we were not connected in a personal way until now,” Wynonna tells Everything Nash. “She came to the farm, we sat on the back porch, we fellowshiped and we talked about our lives, being married, everything that’s gone wrong in our lives. And we stood there in the studio, just the two of us side by side, singing live.
“That doesn’t happen anymore, because of the technology,” she continues. “You can fly a song to another state, and someone can sing on it and you pass it back and forth until it’s done. But this was done live, and kind of old-fashioned, in a way that you don’t hear about anymore. So it’s my favorite memory, hands down.”
“Cry Myself To Sleep” was released last month, with both Wynonna and Yearwood praising each other for their contribution to the track.
“I was absolutely delighted when Trisha showed up at the studio on the farm to record ‘Cry Myself To Sleep’ with me,” Wynonna previously said. “We have known each other for years, but have never worked together. In today’s world of technology, artists often don’t get to be in the same room as the other person to record a song. It was so refreshing! I am thrilled with the song, and I cannot wait to sing it live with her.”
“Getting to be a part of celebrating Judds’ music is such an honor,” added Yearwood. “I’m a true fan, and singing with Wynonna has been a dream come true! I’m proud to be a part of honoring the music that Naomi and Wynonna created.”
Shelton and Stefani also released “Love is Alive” ahead of the release of the new record.
“The Judds are one of the greatest country acts of our lifetime,” Shelton said. “’80s country music is my favorite decade, and I’ve been singing Judd songs for as long as I can remember. ‘‘Love Is Alive’ was on their first album, and we wanted to stick pretty close to the original version, and Gwen just nails the vocal. We’re thrilled to be part of this tribute album.”
See a track list for A Tribute To The Judds below. Purchase the project here.
A Tribute To The Judds Track List:
1. Girls Night Out – Reba McEntire, Carly Pearce, Jennifer Nettles, Gabby Barrett
2. Mama He’s Crazy – Lainey Wilson and Dolly Parton
3. Why Not Me – Megan Moroney
4. Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days) [feat. Sonya Isaacs] – Cody Johnson
5. Rockin’ With The Rhythm Of The Rain – Ashley McBryde and Shelly Fairchild
6. Young Love (Strong Love) – Ella Langley and Jamey Johnson
7. Have Mercy – LeAnn Rimes
8. Love Is Alive – Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton
9. Had A Dream (For The Heart) – Wendy Moten and O.N.E The Duo
10. I Know Where I’m Going – Barnett, Lynne & West
11. Let Me Tell You About Love – Carl Perkins and Raul Malo
12. John Deere Tractor – Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley and Molly Tuttle
13. Cry Myself To Sleep – Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood
14. Love Can Build A Bridge – Jelly Roll, K. Michelle, and The Fisk Jubilee Singers