The country music community gathered today at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville to remember one of their own. As it might be expected, the best way to honor and memorialize one of the genre’s greatest hitmakers was found in song.
Naomi Judd: A River of Timewas carried live and commercial-free on CMT.
The tribute included performances by Ashley McBryde, Brad Paisley, Brandi Carlile, Carly Pearce, Emmylou Harris & Allison Russell, Gaither Vocal Band, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town and Wynonna Judd.
Bette Midler, Bono, Morgan Freeman, Oprah Winfrey, Reba McEntire, Reese Witherspoon and Salma Hayek also delivered special messages to the late country singer.
Once the program ends, there will be a procession down Nashville’s Broadway beginning at 6:30 p.m. Fans are expected to line up on Broadway to say their goodbyes to Judd.
The celebration was hosted by Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America and a close family friend. Roberts was a former sports reporter/anchor at WSMV at a time when the Judds were appearing on Ralph Emery’s morning show on WSM-TV.
Naomi Judd: A River of Time Celebrationis a co-production from CMT and Sandbox Live; Margaret Comeaux (CMT), Leslie Fram (CMT), Jason Owen (Sandbox) and Patrizia DiMaria (Ladypants Productions) are Executive Producers.
Watch videos of select speeches and performances from the tribute below.
A beautiful start to a very special night ❤️ @AshleyJudd @wynonna pic.twitter.com/wNooZRHuBR
— CMT (@CMT) May 15, 2022
This performance is the sweetest gift indeed 🙏 @EmmylouSongbird @outsidechild13 pic.twitter.com/NZCZRjcgk7
— CMT (@CMT) May 15, 2022
No words, just many claps for this brilliant performance of “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be” 👏@Gaithermusic pic.twitter.com/Ie4MFRPrRW
— CMT (@CMT) May 15, 2022
From one Kentucky girl to another. 💜 @carlypearce pic.twitter.com/eYmaHqtSPj
— CMT (@CMT) May 15, 2022
Pure magic on stage tonight ✨ @Wynonna @brandicarlile pic.twitter.com/5XmUe8EdGA
— CMT (@CMT) May 16, 2022
Always remember: Love can build a bridge 💕@Wynonna pic.twitter.com/VyVcAOln3P
— CMT (@CMT) May 16, 2022