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Carly Pearce took the stage at the Country Music Hall of Fame as The Judds were inducted, and it turned out to be “one of the most emotional experiences I have ever had in my life…” The award-winning country artist reflected on the call she received months ago, asking her to be a surprise musical guest in honor of Naomi and Wynonna Judd’s long-awaited induction.
One day before the Medallion Ceremony, Naomi, the matriarch of the iconic mother-daughter duo, passed away unexpectedly. She was 76. Wynonna and her sister, Ashley Judd, announced on Saturday afternoon (April 30) that they they “experienced a tragedy. 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.”
The Medallion Ceremony continued, keeping with the Judd family’s wishes. Wynonna and Ashley tearfully spoke during the ceremony, and Wynonna pledged that she “will continue to sing,” despite her broken heart.
Pearce honored The Judds — along with Ricky Skaggs, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, and Tommy Sims — on Sunday (May 1). She shared a few photos and opened up about the evening in a post on Monday morning (May 2): “A few months ago, the @officialcmhof called me to ask if I would be a surprise musical guest honoring @thejuddsofficial for their induction ceremony. I’ve loved them my whole life, so this was such exciting news. Last night was one of the most emotional experiences I have ever had in my life… singing ‘Grandpa’ in light of such tragic loss, looking in the eyes of Naomi’s beautiful daughters. I am forever grateful & send Wynonna and Ashley all my love. Long live the Judds ♥️🕊”
Pearce previously shared a photo with Naomi and Wynonna. The three of them took a selfie at the 2022 CMT Music Awards in Nashville last month. That evening marked the first televised awards show during which The Judds performed in more than two decades. Naomi and Wynonna took the stage to perform “Love Can Build A Bridge.” When she posted the selfie, Pearce gushed that she was in the middle of a Judds “sandwich,” adding, “my heart may never recover 😳😍😭.” Pearce wrote on Instagram in a tribute to Naomi: “Naomi Judd, like ‘Grandpa,’ told me about, the good old days in country music and living…She was a beacon of glamour, fun and keeping it real. And now…She’s in heaven AND the Country Music Hall of Fame! Thanks for showing a Kentucky girl how to make dreams come true. 🕊♥️”