5 Random questions with Wynonna Judd
Recently, we had an e-chat with Wynonna Judd, who grew up in Williamson County, Tenn., and first gained fame as part of one of the most successful musical duos of all time, The Judds, selling more than 20 million records. It’s no secret that Wynonna holds multiple gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications from the RIAA in excess of 10 million units sold for albums released throughout her solo career.
Below are Wy’s answers to our 5 random questions…
FranklinIs: What is your favorite stage to perform on, and why?
Wynonna: GREAT question! Most recently, I have had some amazing life moments on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. I performed for the first time ever on the Opry stage four days after 9/11, and there was a sea of American flags waving in the crowd. I sang “How Great Thou Art” with tears in my eyes and goosebumps on my arm. In that moment, I had this feeling that everything was going to be alright. That was a career moment for sure.
I shot my first concert DVD there last year too. We called it “Her Story: Scenes from a Lifetime.” I sang all of the hits from The Judds to Wynonna-alona and some surprises from Tina Turner, Earth Wind & Fire, Melissa Etheridge and MercyMe. Tim and Faith and Keith Urban were there in the third row cheering me on, it was beautiful beyond belief. It was on that very stage that I won my first CMA Award in 1984 with Mom too so, needless to say, I have had some amazing life moments on that stage.
A close second would be Carnegie Hall. Recently, Sting and I did a duet together, “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” for the Rainforest Foundation on the stage at Carnegie Hall. A character himself, Sting totally got into the message of the song during the line “baby, baby, I get down on my knees for you,” and he got down on one knee while singing that part with me … I looked out to the New York crowd and said, “Please, get a picture of this!” It was another moment. I tend to fall in love with every stage I have the great fortune to perform on, so if I’m lucky enough to get the call, I usually jump at the chance to try something different.
FranklinIs: How do you like your coffee?
Wynonna: I am pretty easy with my coffee choices. I like basic coffee with a little cream. I have bonded with Starbucks recently and, when feeling decadent, will order a Frappuccino Light Blended Coffee.
Last year, they put a quote from me on their project “Starbucks-The Way I See It” which basically was a thought question from me that appeared on Starbucks coffee cups around the world. I love the culture of the coffee house: people getting together, sharing love and ideas. When we stand together, it’s our finest hour.
FranklinIs: Who is the most influential person in your life?
Wynonna: Without a doubt, that would be my mother. I appreciate all of the sacrifices she made for my sister and me to set us up with kindness and love for the rest of our lives. It’s well documented that we have had our trials and tribulations, but I have never loved her more.
FranklinIs: Do you prefer to lay out on the beach or swim in the ocean?
Wynonna: I’m the one back at the beachhouse making the snacks for everyone and applying the sunscreen when all the kids want to do is SWIM! You know that feeling, I get this alot in my own life, when all you want to do is play but there’s your mom putting sunscreen on you. Hurry up!
My family loves the beach, but when given options we always choose to go to Disney World instead, that’s our real playground. We go on all of the rides. It’s a fun place to bring out the childlike spirit in all of us!
FranklinIs: What subject do you “Google” the most, and why?
Wynonna: I have to admit that I have not connected with the computer that much yet. I am helping the kids find stuff online for school and things like that.
I think of Google as the world’s largest encyclopedia, so we use it for homework projects and things of that nature. Wouldn’t you know it, my mom is friends with the founders of Google? That’s why if you “Google” Judd, her name always pops up first, right!? Ha! That’s the way it should be anyway!
WHAT’S NEW FOR WYNONNA?!
Capping off a successful year that included co-hosting the most-watched season of USA Network’s Nashville Star, Wynonna will release her first-ever solo Christmas album, A Classic Christmas, on Oct. 10, through Curb Records.
“I take great comfort in tradition, and I have always loved the season of Christmas,” Wynonna says of her newest release. “What the spirit of Christmas means to me is faith, family and fellowship. This record reminds me of everything that I loved as a kid and continue to love about the timeless, classic music of the most wonderful time of the year!”
In 2005, Wynonna became a best-selling author with the release of her long-awaited autobiography, Coming Home to Myself, released in conjunction with her live CD and DVD Her Story: Scenes from a Lifetime; the latter of which having been certified Gold.
For more information on Wynonna Judd, go to www.wynonna.com or www.countryondemand.com/wynonna/.
