Wynonna Judd Reflects on the 'Bittersweet' Holidays
Wynonna Judd
Wynonna Judd, the “Is It Over Yet” Grammy-winning singer, 59, takes a break from her “Back to Wy” tour to celebrate the holidays by hosting the two-hour Christmas at the Opry (Dec. 7 on NBC and next day on Peacock) special. Among those joining Judd at the Grand Ole Opry House to perform Christmas classics and current holiday hits in Nashville are Kelly Clarkson, Mickey Guyton, Brenda Lee, Chris Janson, Chrissy Metz and Trace Adkins.
Parade sat down with Judd to chat about the upcoming Christmas special, her tour and one of the most impressive country music careers in the industy.
Walter Scott: Why host Christmas at the Opry?
Wynonna Judd: I love Christmas and I've never hosted a TV special before like that, so I was very eager to see what that was like. I wanted to be at the Opry because that's where I grew up.
Did you have any input into the impressive guest list?
That was definitely decided upon before me, so I'm just the hostess with the most-est.
You’ll be performing your new version of “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem,” which you originally recorded with your mom, on the special. Why did you decide to release that as a solo single now?
I'm experiencing a lot of memories. It's like a big scrapbook right now for me. I'm on a tour that's going back to my very first two solo records and I'm just in this place of remembering. It's like everyone else in life that has the family over and they get down the scrapbooks and they talk about the memories, and they look at the photos and they just remember when and that's what I'm doing with “Beautiful Star.”
Really, it was one of my favorite songs. I remember learning it as a kid and mom and I singing it together before The Judds became famous, and then on a 1980-something Christmas album, so it's a personal song. It's a timely thing, because I'm sharing the stage still with my favorite performers after 40 years, which is amazing to me that I'm still here and doing what it is I love. I just feel like it's a good time to put out something that has good memories for me.
Also, people want to celebrate the ‘80s and ‘90s again.
Absolutely, that's exactly right. I said it on stage last night. I said, “The ‘80s and ‘90s, baby.” It was one of the best times of my life and so to be able to be on stage right now performing these songs that I did when I was in my 20s is such a kick in the pants.
One of the high points of the evening will be seeing Brenda Lee, who will hopefully be singing “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” How great is it to see her performing at 78 years old?
She is so sassy. You would expect that from her, right? So, you go in and you're standing next to her and I'm talking to her about life, and she’s the most delightful little piece of energy. She's the kind of personality when she comes into a room, she literally—and I mean literally—lights up a room. She has such a big spirit for such a tiny, little package that she got everybody there feeling so joyful. They say that you've either got it or you don't, and she's got it. That “it” thing is such a spiritual charge that she is effervescent. She's just a delight. I found her to be such a joy that I wanted to be around her for the rest of the day.
Do you look at her as an example of what's possible and that you might still be singing when you're 78?
God willing, I will. I think about that a lot because I'm turning 60 next year. I think about her and about her legacy and everything that she stands for. If I could be half as energetic as she is, good God.
Related: Wynonna Judd’s Net Worth Is Country Strong
Getty Images
This is a holiday special, so can you share a Judd family Christmas holiday tradition?
Well, music and food, because we had nothing. I mean we were welfare, food-stamps poor, and for me, it was always about the food and the fellowship around the food. I just remember that being such an integral part of our holiday.
We had no money, so we literally chopped down our Christmas tree. That was such a joyful event that it became a tradition. Because you're a kid, you want more. But I now look back on those memories and I think, You know what? We didn't have anything, but we had everything because we had each other, and we had our imagination and that to me is so huge. I didn't realize it then as a kid, but I realize it now for my own children and my grandchild that the most important part is being together and having time, putting down the phone, and really fully being present and in the moment.
So, did you do things like pop popcorn to decorate the tree?
Absolutely. I remember that so clearly. The popcorn thing was a huge part.
If we were to drop by your house before the holidays, what music would you be playing?
I cannot do Christmas and I won't do Christmas without Nat King Cole.
This is your second Christmas without Naomi.
I love Christmas but it's also a really painful time as well and I know it is for a lot of people because the person that they love isn't there. I’m so keenly aware of how people are struggling because the holidays are really hard for some people. So, Christmas is definitely bittersweet for me.
Related: Wynonna Judd Reflects on Battling Grief After Mother Naomi's Death in Inspiring Speech
You recently served as the Mega Mentor on The Voice. What’s it like to give the next generation of talent advice like: “Squeeze your butt to hit the high notes”?
That’s so funny that you said that. That’s been the best part for me because I don't love to be on TV. I've always found it to be quite nerve-wracking. But I absolutely plugged into these babies, and I just became like any other mother. I loved them.
You seemed so calm and collected, it’s surprising to hear that you don't like being on TV.
I don't love it because it's live and it makes me crazy. When they yell 5-4-3-2-1, I'm looking for an exit.
One of the things that you said on The Voice was that you were the heart of The Judds and your mom Naomi was the head. What did you mean by that?
She was more Type-A personality and she was more analytical. She was organized. She made lists. She had the ability to be more managerial. She just had more of that attitude, and I was a kid with such a big heart. I'm definitely an empath, so I feel everything everybody else does. I think that's part of what made The Judds work so well.
It must be hard to feel what everybody else is feeling and live your own life.
The good news is on a good day it helps me to sing the way I do and the rest of it is a pain in the butt at times. But you know what? It allows me to have compassion, which is what Jesus taught.
You and Ashley sang together earlier this year when she showed up at your concert. Any plans for future sisterly projects?
No, nothing is planned. Ashley is definitely the actress and I'm the singer, and I say that lovingly.
What do you still enjoy about being on the road with your Back to Wy tour?
A grandmother and granddaughter came to the meet and greet last night, and they had matching shirts on, which they had made. I almost burst into tears because they were so cute. I just could not get enough of them. We talked and we laughed, and I hugged the granddaughter. The fact that the granddaughter even knew who I was, I was like mind blown. We just had the most delightful connection on earth. I revel in getting to be a part of people's lives and injecting joy and love into their lives, I just do. It's my absolute favorite thing in the meet and greets when I get to make a connection with somebody that's struggling, and they tell me their story. I get to stand there and say something that means something to them, and they say something to me. It's just the human connection. It's the best part of what I do.
You’ve said the best revenge is living well. Is that how you live your life now?
Oh, 100 percent. Absolutely. Like halle-freaking-lujah. They say that the best revenge is telling the enemy, “Absolutely not today” and “Oh, hell no. Not today.” And I say that all the time. I just live my life that way because there's a constant battle between good and evil, joy pain and sorrow, and you have to make a conscious decision to not live your life as a victim but as a victor. So, I walk through each day going, “Oh no, no. Not today devil. No, no, no. Not today” constantly.
Every day, everybody has everything happening all at once—the good, the bad, and the ugly—and so you’ve got to pick out which things you're going to spend your energy on. I have to keep focused on the prize and the prize is getting out there at night and seeing myself as a messenger. I literally see myself as a servant of song and it's my job to deliver the message, and that is my whole goal.
