Naomi Judd, Matriarch of County Music, dies at 76.

Famous for nearly four decades, the matriarch of the county-music duo The Judds, Naomi Judd has passed away Saturday, April 30, 2022, at the young age of 76. Although no immediate cause of death was given, Naomi’s daughter Wynonna and Ashley Judd stated that they attribute “the disease of mental illness” to their mother’s death. According to the Associated Press, the sisters said of their mother “we lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness. We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory”. Naomi’s husband of 32-years, Larry Strickland said that he “will not be making any further statements. Naomi’s family requested privacy during this heartbreaking time. No additional information will be released at this time”.

Naomi is no stranger to mental health, suffering from depression herself. Naomi Judd contributes several events in her life to her growing depression. Naomi spent a good amount of her adult life spreading awareness about mental illness and the importance of getting help.

The announcement of Naomi’s death comes just one day before the Judds were set to be inducted into the County Music Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame ceremony takes place at the Medallion Ceremony located in Nashville, Tennessee on Sunday, April 30, 2022. Country music lost a true Legend today, a true talent, a true inspiration, the voice of mental health awareness. The Judds recently announced that they were going to do a 10-day farewell tour, their first tour in over 10-years. The tour is being produced by Sandbox Live and Live Nation. The tour was to start September 30 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and end October 28 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. When the tour was announced, Wynonna Judd said, “what I’m looking forward to most is celebrating Judd music with the fans. Mom and I have had quite the journey over the last 38 years, and the fans have been with us through it all. This tour is a celebration for them”. The family reports on social media that three of the shows, including the finale in Nashville, Tennessee, have already sold out.

The duo held their final show in 1991, following Naomi Judds' diagnosis of Hepatitis C, a viral infection that causes inflammation in the liver and sometimes serious liver complications. It was after the conclusion of their final show, and her mother's diagnosis that gave Wynonna the courage to set out and pursue a solo career of her own and pursue a solo career she did. This allowed her mother the time to raise awareness about Hepatitis C. Wynonna and her mother, Naomi reunited with her daughter, Wynonna to do the “Power to Change” tour in 2000.

In 2016, Naomi released her memoir “River of Time: My descent into Depression and How I Emerged with Hope: Naomi had penned eight other books in her career, including Naomi’s Guide to Aging Gratefully: Being Your Best for the Rest of Your Life in 2007, and Naomi’s Breakthrough Guide: 20 Choices to Transform Your Life in 2004, as well as several books for children.

The Judds had a string of eight number one county singles, including “Mama’s Crazy”, “Why Not Me”, “Girl’s Night Out”, “Grandpa”, “Rockin With the Rhythm of the Rain, and “Stuck in Love. Although the Judds haven’t had new music out in decades, their music still plays in homes all over the world. Naomi Judd will be deeply missed by country music fans of all ages, but her smile and angelic voice will live on forever.