Wy and Naomi Tour Again

Country Music’s legendary duo, The Judds, delivered a riveting performance for over 10,000 fans in downtown Nashville as they launched this year’s 2010 CMA Music Festival. Wynonna and Naomi Judd helped kick off what USA Today calls “the crown jewel of Country Music festivals,” setting the stage for their highly anticipated final tour, The Judds: The Last Encore. It has been over 10 years since their 2000 “Power To Change” tour, and this final reunion promises to be nothing short of spectacular.

In typical fan-friendly Judd fashion, Wynonna and Naomi recently invited dedicated “Judd Heads” and country music fans across the country to name their upcoming tour in The Judds “Name That Tour” contest. The response was overwhelming. Thousands of fans jumped at the opportunity to solidify their place in Judds HERstory and ultimately Jacqualine Budgell from Murfreesboro, TN was chosen as the lucky winner.

According to Naomi, The Last Encore tour is an opportunity to celebrate the relationship with their fans one last time. “There is nothing like music and laughter to connect people,” she says. “How I’ve missed that encounter with the very ones who’ve allowed us that awesome privilege! I’m counting the days till I can be back on my bus, visiting their towns.”

In addition to their enduring 26-year relationship with the fans, Wynonna shares her sentiment on reuniting with her mother, Naomi, again. “This tour gives me a chance to enjoy where Mom and I are in our relationship. I look forward to celebrating our personal and professional journey…together.” And, for the fans who have followed their journey together through the years, this final curtain call will be yet another reason to celebrate.

The tour will kick off on November 26, the day after Thanksgiving, in Green Bay, Wisconsin and will continue on to their home state of Kentucky with a play in Louisville alongside dates in Salt Lake City, UT, Los Angeles, CA and Las Vegas, NV. The Judds will close their final tour with a full circle moment in Phoenix, AZ where their 2000 “Power To Change” tour began. The Judds: The Last Encore tour will feature new Judds and Wynonna music from the upcoming album while also shining a bright light on all of the fan’s Judds and Wynonna favorites. And for the first time ever, they will also celebrate the holiday season during their final tour by weaving several classic Christmas songs in their immensely diverse set list.

The Judds agent, Greg Oswald, of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment shares “The Judds have been a major force on the arena level now for three consecutive decades. The response from buyers when we made The Last Encore show available was overwhelming. So many offers and not enough time to do them all!”

And, it wasn’t just concert promoters who jumped at the chance to offer an up close and personal evening with The Judds. The Judds’ friends at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital also wanted to share in the excitement by partnering with the darlings of Country Music. For more than two decades, the country music industry has generously supported the organization through fundraising and personal relationships. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance, so no child is ever denied treatment because of their family’s inability to pay. The ongoing relationship between St. Jude and The Judds prompted the girls to include and honor the work of St. Jude on their final tour.

The Judds: The Last Encore Tour will visit the following cities:

11/26 – Green Bay WI – Resch Center
11/27 – Mt. Pleasant, MI – Soaring Eagle Casino
11/28 – Moline, IL – i wireless Center
11/30 – Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Casino
12/2 – Columbus, OH – Value City Arena – Schottenstein Center
12/3 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
12/4 – St. Charles, MO – Family Arena
12/5 – Council Bluffs, IA – Mid-America Center
12/7 – Colorado Springs, CO – World Arena
12/8 – Broomfield, CO – 1STBank Center
12/9 – Salt Lake City, UT – EnergySolutions Arena
12/11 – Oakland, CA – Oracle Arena
12/12 – Sacramento, CA – Arco Arena
12/15 – Los Angeles, CA – Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
12/16 – Santa Ynez, CA – Chumash Casino
12/17 – Rancho Mirage, CA – Agua Caliente Casino
12/18 – Las Vegas, NV – Mandalay Bay Events Center/Arena
12/19 – Phoenix, AZ – US Airways Center

About The Judds
Kentucky natives, The Judds, are one of the most successful country music duos of all time – amassing fourteen number-one hits and over 60 industry awards including multiple CMA, ACM and GRAMMY awards. After launching their career with RCA Records in 1984, The Judds sold 20 million albums in just 6 short years. By 1989, The Judds were one of the top-grossing and most popular touring acts in America. But at the height of their career, Naomi Judd announced she would have to retire from the music business due to health complications. To say goodbye to their fans, they launched the 116-city Judds Farewell Tour selling more concert tickets than anyone that year with the exception of The Grateful Dead and The Rolling Stones. Nearly ten years after her health turned around, the pair reunited on Dec. 31, 1999 for a New Year’s gala performance, and a reunion tour in 2000. They came together again at last year’s 2009 CMA Music Festival and captivated the massive audience with their homespun, acoustic harmonies that felt as revelatory as they did when they first shot onto the country music scene 26 years ago. Encouraged by that performance and driven by the fans, the duo decided to tour one last time for 2010’s The Judds: The Last Encore.

Red Heads Only?

March 29, 2010 — The American Red Cross today announced eight new members to its 2010 National Celebrity Cabinet, a group of celebrity supporters who promote Red Cross services by donating their time, helping neighbors prepare for emergencies, responding to disasters and lending a helping hand to those in need – down the street, across the country and around the world.

New members include actor Penn Badgley, who is best known as Dan Humphrey on the television series Gossip Girl; Giselle Blondet, a Puerto Rican who has long established herself as one of Spanish-language television’s most distinguished and popular on-air personalities; actor Josh Duhamel, who appeared in the hit movie Transformers; country music superstar Wynonna Judd; actor and hip hop music icon, LL Cool J; award winning actress and country music superstar Reba McEntire; actress and humanitarian, Alyssa Milano; and actor, comedian and television personality David Spade. With the addition of the eight new members, the Red Cross now has more than 40 members on its National Celebrity Cabinet.

“The American Red Cross runs on the valuable service of volunteers to fulfill our mission, and we are grateful that these celebrities are setting an example by volunteering their time and talents to help raise awareness of our work in responding to disasters, providing blood, helping military members and their families and promoting preparedness through first aid or CPR classes,” states Gail McGovern, President and CEO of American Red Cross.

Each of the new members has already made personal contributions and has participated in supporting the Red Cross mission. Wynonna Judd has hosted numerous Red Cross blood drives over the years. Spade, Milano and Badgley participated in the telethons for Haiti Relief and promoted the Red Cross through social media such as Twitter. LL Cool J recorded a television public service advertisement (PSA) for the Red Cross in response to the earthquake in Haiti as part of CBS Cares. McEntire has generously recorded radio PSAs on tornado and hurricane preparedness. Duhamel recorded video messages following devastating floods in his home state in North Dakota and participated in a Youth Run 4 Haiti with the American Red Cross of Santa Monica, and Blondet appeared on Univision’s telethon which raised nearly $5 million for Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

The announcement of the new members of the Celebrity Cabinet comes during Red Cross Month, which has been recognized through a presidential proclamation by President Barack Obama. During Red Cross Month, the Red Cross is recognizing the valuable supporters whose generosity makes the organization’s work possible, and encouraging people to become involved by donating blood, signing up for a CPR or first aid course, giving a financial gift that can really save the day or getting involved as a volunteer.

“As a long time supporter of The American Red Cross, I applaud their unyielding commitment to the human spirit during domestic and international crises and I am honored to serve as a Celebrity Cabinet member,” said Wynonna Judd.

“Whenever a natural disaster occurs, it is always the Red Cross that responds quickly and compassionately. I am honored to lend my voice to their cause, and thrilled to serve on the Celebrity Cabinet for 2010,” said Reba McEntire.
Please click here for more Celebrity Cabinet member quotes.

The work of the American Red Cross with public figures and celebrities dates back to World War I. Over the years, actors, artists, and sports figures who have committed their time and talents to the organization have played an important role in raising public awareness of Red Cross services.

New Members of the 2010 American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet:

Penn Badgley is an actor who stars on the hit drama series Gossip Girl. His other television work includes the series Do Over and The Bedford Diaries. He starred last year in Sony’s remake of the feature The Stepfather and will be seen in the upcoming film Easy A with Emma Stone, Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson.

Giselle Blondet one of Univision’s most popular on-air personalities, currently hosting the highly successful reality/beauty competition “Nuestra Belleza Latina”. Prior to joining the Network, she participated as an actress in a large number of television programs, miniseries, movies, radio programs and theatrical production that won her much acclaim in her native Puerto Rico and abroad. Throughout her distinguished career, which began at the early age of 14, Blondet has played the lead, co-starred or guest-starred in more than 22 well-known Spanish-language dramas series.

Josh Duhamel is an actor who first achieved acting success as Leo du Pres on ABC’s All My Children and later as Danny McCoy on NBC’s Las Vegas. He is also well known for his role as Captain William Lennox in the box office hit Transformers and its sequel, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, as well as his upcoming Warner Brothers movie Life As We Know It. He wasthe official pace car driver for the 2009 Indianapolis 500.

Wynonna Judd is a five-time GRAMMY Award winning artist. Judd first gained fame as part of one of the most successful musical duos of all time, The Judds. On top of that amazing feat, she also holds multiple gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications from the RIAA in excess of 30 million units sold for albums released throughout her illustrious 25-year career. In addition to her countless musical achievements, Wynonna became a New York Times best-selling author in 2005 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. Wynonna recently released her critically acclaimed seventh solo studio album, Sing: Chapter 1, an eclectic assortment of standards paying homage to all the different genres and songs that have formed the soundtrack to her life.

LL Cool J is an acclaimed rapper and actor. A pioneering figure in the hip hop industry, the two-time Grammy Award winner has released twelve studio albums and a greatest hits compilation, with his latest album being 2008’s Exit 13. LL has appeared in several films including “Any Given Sunday,” “S.W.A.T “ and “Last Holiday” with Queen Latifah as well as television shows such as “House” and “30 Rock.” He currently stars opposite Chris O’Donell on the CBS hit show NCIS: Los Angele.,

Reba McEntire is a country music singer who holds the record for the most Academy of Country Music Top Female Vocalist Awards, and American Music Awards for Favorite Female Country Artist, and Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year Awards. She has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Alyssa Milano began her career on the long running sitcom Who’s the Boss? She then went on to be featured on the FOX cornerstone series Melrose Place, Spin City and most notably an eight-year stint as Phoebe Halliwell on the popular series Charmed. Her clothing line, TOUCH by Alyssa Milano, launched in 2007 and is licensed with MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL and NCAA. Alyssa became a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF in 2003 and is the Founding Ambassador for the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases. Alyssa will next be seen starring in the ABC comedy Romantically Challenged.

David Spade is an actor, comedian and television personality who first gained notice as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. For six years, he played Dennis Finch on the television series Just Shoot Me!, which earned him two Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy nomination. The role of C.J. Barnes followed on the series 8 Simple Rules. He currently stars as Russell Dunbar on the CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement. He is also working with TBS on an animated series based on his film Joe Dirtand has a new film GROWNUPS coming out this Summer. In 2003, Spade received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

This group of newcomers joins the National Celebrity Cabinet that also includes Greg Biffle, Pierce Brosnan, Jim Cantore, Jackie Chan, Chayanne, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Cyrus, Sara Evans, George Foreman, Leeza Gibbons, Amy Grant, Pat Green, Marcia Gay Harden, Patricia Heaton, Julianne Hough, Dwayne Johnson, Heidi Klum, Patti LaBelle, Demi Lovato, Eli and Peyton Manning, Marlee Matlin, Dr. Phil McGraw, Nancy O’Dell, Masi Oka, Rascal Flatts, Amanda Peet, Sally Pressman, Elisabeth Rohm, Anika Noni Rose, Jane Seymour, Jimmy Smits, Raven-Symone, and Daddy Yankee.

Wy and Naomi Tour Again

Legendary country soul diva Wynonna Judd announced Saturday on The CBS Early Show, Saturday edition that she will reunite with her mother, Naomi Judd, for a final “The Judds” tour.   The tour has been rumored for a few months.

As part of CBS News’ broadcast plans leading up to Super Bowl XLIV, THE EARLY SHOW, Saturday edition broadcast from Lummus Park in South Beach. The broadcast, anchored by Chris Wragge and Erica Hill, featured a special live performance by Wynonna Judd.

Five-time GRAMMY winner Wynonna Judd first gained fame as part of one of the most successful musical duos of all time, The Judds. She also holds multiple gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications from the RIAA in excess of 30 million units sold for albums released throughout her illustrious 25-year career. In addition to her countless musical achievements, Wynonna became a New York Times best-selling author in 2005 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.

Tour Dates to be announced soon.

Michael Rosen is the executive producer of THE EARLY SHOW, Saturday edition.