Wynonna Judd, former half of country music duo The Judds, performed at the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center Thursday night.
Taking the stage in a black, sequined pantsuit, fire-red-haired Wynonna soon started her performance with older material, including “Tell Me Why,” and “Why Not Me?”
The crowd reacted positively. After just a few minutes it was evident that the audience was made up of a mix of die-hard fans and a new generation of fans.
After a few songs, Wynonna took a few minutes to speak to the audience —which continued periodically throughout the night.
Her candid, honest conversations with the crowd served as a refreshing gateway into the next song. Her talks included personal details of her life.
“Country music saved us. My mom and I went from welfare to millionaire almost overnight,” she said.
She shed light on the country music industry, specifically sharing a dressing room with Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton.
“There wasn’t a lot of space in that room, attitude-wise,” she joked.
She continued to praise the women of the country music industry by covering “Til I Get It Right,” by her “shero” Tammy Wynette.
Perhaps the most poignant moment of the evening is when she shared details of her husband, former Highway 101 drummer Cactus Moser’s near-fatal motorcycle injury, which resulted in him losing his leg and almost his hand.
“I’m wearing his wedding band right now because he can’t” she explained.
A veteran to the music industry, it is no surprise her performance was top-notch. She held a strong stage presence. Her voice is dynamic, strong and naturally loud. Her vocals were complemented by pelvic thrusts, clapping and almost throughout the whole performance a smile.
Wynonna started performing professionally with her mother when she was 18 years old. She entered adulthood unconventionally, on a tour bus.
“Try being on a tour bus with your mother for 10 years — I ain’t afraid of nothin’!”
The last part of the performance was upbeat. Audiences members shouted out requests to which Wynonna responded “go download it.”
After a standing ovation to what appeared to be her last song, Wynonna returned to the stage asking if the audience wanted more to which they replied with a hearty “Yes!”
She performed two more songs, including a sing-a-long style performance of The Judds hit “Grandpa Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days,” and a cover of Foreigner’s “I Want To Know What Love Is.”
After two standing ovations, Wynonna left the stage for the night. Her time in Shippensburg was not quite over. Wynonna conducts a “Tweet your seat” contest via her Twitter page, in which lucky winners win a meet-and-greet with her.
Wynonna’s journey has been a rocky one, but she credits that to the inspiration and passion behind her music.
“When you suit up and show up miracles happen. I’ve had every reason to quit. But when you find yourself in hell, keep walking.”
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