Wynonna and Ashley Judd thanked fans who stood by their mom, Naomi Judd, at CMT's "Naomi Judd: A River of Time" memorial special on Sunday — and have spoken out a few times to honor the late country music star since she died in April. Over the weekend, the Judd daughters referred to their late mother as "a salty single mama" before thanking their family therapist for making the ceremony "a little lighter." The memorial was held at the Rynman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Robin Roberts. Wynonna and Ashley sat beside Naomi’s husband, Larry Strickland, who spoke out about her death for the first time. Ashley Judd, Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd during Wynonna Judd Press Event at The Ritz Carlton in Pasadena, CA, United States.
Naomi Judd's Husband Tears Up Speaking About Late Wife For First Time In CMT Tribute Special
16.05.2022 - 22:19 / perezhilton.com
Naomi Judd‘s husband is speaking out in public about his late wife for the first time.
Larry Strickland opened up about his time together with the country music legend on Sunday night, as part of the CMT TV special Naomi Judd: A River of Time. During the heartbroken husband’s speech, he remembered one of the singer’s funniest quirks in their happy days prior to her shocking death by suicide late last month.
Related: Ashley Judd Pens Heartbreaking, Lonely Mother’s Day Essay Weeks After Naomi’s Death
While on stage alongside Naomi’s daughters, Ashley and Wynonna Judd, Larry, who married Naomi back in 1989, remembered his wife of three decades as someone who loved to connect with others — ALL others:
The audience, many of whom knew Naomi, couldn’t help but laugh despite the solemn occasion. Then, Larry started telling a tale about a recent moment Naomi had in the days prior to her passing.
As Larry explained it to the crowd gathered at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Naomi had recently flown solo to Nashville. It was very rare for her to fly alone, and Larry had been dreading the fact that his wife had to travel without him by her side to reach the Tennessee town for last month’s Country Music Hall of Fame ceremony, which ended up taking place one day after her tragic death.
Strickland said:
Larry then revealed that he’d received an email from a man who sat next to Naomi on that flight.
Calling the email “a relief and comfort,” the grieving husband read the message from the stranger out to the audience in front of him. The man explained to Larry that he didn’t listen to country music, and didn’t know Naomi was famous, but the plane passenger nevertheless shared:
Wow.
Crying on stage at this point, Larry once against
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Larry Strickland is paying tribute to his late wife Naomi Judd.
Wynnona, Ashley Judd on their ‘salty single mama’ Naomi Judd: A look at what they've said about the late star
Wynonna and Ashley Judd thanked fans who stood by their mom, Naomi Judd, at CMT's "Naomi Judd: A River of Time" memorial special on Sunday — and have spoken out a few times to honor the late country music star since she died in April. Over the weekend, the Judd daughters referred to their late mother as "a salty single mama" before thanking their family therapist for making the ceremony "a little lighter." The memorial was held at the Rynman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Robin Roberts. Wynonna and Ashley sat beside Naomi’s husband, Larry Strickland, who spoke out about her death for the first time. Ashley Judd, Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd during Wynonna Judd Press Event at The Ritz Carlton in Pasadena, CA, United States.
Naomi Judd’s Husband Larry Strickland Recalls Her ‘Fragile’ Final Days in Emotional Tribute: She ‘Never Met a Stranger’
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Editor's note: This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Naomi Judd's husband was "scared to death" over the country music star's trip to Nashville days before she died by suicide.
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Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic“Naomi Judd: A River of Time Celebration” was broadcast live on CMT Sunday night two weeks and one day after the country music legend died. But it hadn’t been half that long in the planning. The show’s gestation really came just a week prior to air date, on — appropriately enough — Mother’s Day.
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Naomi Judd celebrated at ‘River of Time’ memorial service
perform “The Rose” with Brandi Carlile. Wynonna Judd paused her performance at one point so that she could redo a section of the song better, her voice soaring as the crowd cheered.The ceremony began with Judd’s daughter Ashley delivering a eulogy that traced her mother’s life from its humble beginnings in Kentucky to the heights of superstardom.“We are here tonight remembering an icon and a legend who left country music better than she found it,” Ashley Judd said tearfully.“She was every woman.
‘Naomi Judd CMT Special’: Ashley Begins Ceremony With Eulogy, Wynonna Performs ‘River of Time’
Naomi Judd’s star-studded tribute started with words from her daughter, Ashley Judd. On Sunday, the 54-year-old actress took the stage at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee and memorialized her mother. “Welcome to the mother church of country music, this is where mom wanted her public celebration to take place and thank you for being in community and in fellowship with us,” Ashley told the packed house. “Because we can pretend to care, but we cannot pretend to show up. Thank you for showing up for our mom.”
Naomi Judd Remembered at Emotional ‘Celebration’ by Wynonna and Ashley, Brandi Carlile, Bono, Oprah, Emmylou Harris and Others
Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music CriticOne of pop culture’s most famous mother figures got a sendoff from her community at the Mother Church of country music Sunday, as Wynonna and Ashley Judd welcomed country stars and other celebrities to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium for “Naomi Judd: A River of Time Celebration,” a tribute that was broadcast live on CMT.A frequently heaven-looking Wynonna, who with her late mother was half of the country duo the Judds, sang “River of Time” early in the ceremony, then closed it joined by her local Christ Church choir for what was the pair’s final hit, “Love Will Build a Bridge.” She also participated in a recreation of the mother/daughter harmonies by pairing up with Brandi Carlile for a duet of “The Rose,” preceded by a video testimonial by Bette Midler. Pure magic on stage tonight ✨ @Wynonna @brandicarlile pic.twitter.com/5XmUe8EdGA— CMT (@CMT) May 16, 2022“It’s so strange to be here, but natural at the same time,” said Wynonna.
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Naomi Judd’s star-studded tribute started with words from her daughter, Ashley Judd. On Sunday, the 54-year-old actress took the stage at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee and memorialized her mother.
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Naomi Judd’s Public Memorial Service Will Air Live on CMT From Ryman Auditorium
Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music CriticA public memorial service for Naomi Judd has been set for this Sunday evening at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, with CMT airing it live and commercial-free at 6 p.m. ET/3 PT.The lineup of participating artists who will perform or otherwise pay tribute will be announced in the days leading up to the event, with organizers for now promising “some of the biggest names in entertainment” will have a part in saying goodbye to the singer, who died April 30.Naomi’s daughters, Wynonna and Ashley Judd, are participating in the program, which is being co-produced by CMT and Sandbox Live.
Robin Roberts tearfully mourns Naomi Judd's death on the air
Robin Roberts had an emotional start to the week as she took to the air to mourn the loss of a country music legend.MORE: Robin Roberts in tears as she makes confession about partner Amber LaignThe Good Morning America host joined co-stars George Stephanopoulos and TJ Holmes in honoring the life and legacy of Naomi Judd, who passed away last week.VIDEO: Robin Roberts bids farewell to Good Morning AmericaThe musician was remembered via a segment presented by Janai Norman, where they reminisced over some of her greatest performances and spoke of her journey and struggles with mental health.Clips from a 2016 interview with Robin were even shown, where Naomi opened up about her severe clinical depression diagnosis and her willingness to open up about her troubles.MORE: Robin Roberts makes exciting announcement with partner Amber LaignAfter finishing the segment, Janai turned to Robin and said: "This must be surreal for you to have seen her open up about her illness for her daughters to then say that was the illness that took her life."Robin was already in tears throughout the segment, responding: "It was something, I can't remember the last time hearing about something that just put me on the floor.A post shared by Robin Roberts (@robinrobertsgma)Robin spoke of her sadness over Naomi Judd's untimely passing"Being with her in 2016, in her beautiful home in Tennessee, she was so open," she continued, applauding the late singer for being so open to talking about her illness so as to raise awareness.The ABC host also shared an anecdote, explaining: "She was also so kind.
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