Photo: Getty Images
The public will have an opportunity to pay their respects to country legend Naomi Judd during a live televised event, hosted from the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Naomi unexpectedly died on April 30, one day before The Judds were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She was 76. There’s been an outpouring of heartfelt tributes since daughters Wynonna Judd and Ashley Judd announced: “Today we sisters 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.”
On Wednesday (May 11), CMT announced plans to work with Sandbox Entertainment and the Judd family to honor Naomi with NAOMI JUDD: A RIVER OF TIME CELEBRATION, a public memorial service beginning at 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT on Sunday, May 15. CMT producers said in a statement:
“We are sincerely privileged to work alongside Wynonna, Ashley and Larry to present this live celebration of life for their mother and wife Naomi. While we all continue to deeply mourn the loss of such a legendary artist, we are honored to commemorate her legacy alongside the country community, her friends, family and legions of fans across the world at the perfect venue: The Mother Church of Country Music. This special will celebrate her timeless voice, unforgettable spirit and the immense impact she left on our genre through the best form of healing we have – music.”
CMT, which previously debuted the CMT Remembers: Naomi Judd special, will announce further details “in the coming days,” the country music hub stated. The memorial will include performers and special appearances.