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Naomi Judd: Country Music Hall of Fame ceremony will proceed; Wynonna expected to attend

By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

The show will go on. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum announced that it would proceed with its medallion ceremony Sunday, a day after the death of Naomi Judd.

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Judd, 76, was set to be inducted with her daughter, Wynonna Judd, as the musical duo The Judds. Naomi Judd’s death was confirmed Saturday by her daughters in a statement released to The Associated Press.

Wynonna, 57, is still expected to attend the ceremony, a representative for the Country Music Hall of Fame said in a statement. Red carpet arrivals have been canceled, People reported.

Other inductees at the ceremony will include Eddie Bayers, Ray Charles and Pete Drake.

“The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum joins family and fans in grieving the sudden loss of Naomi Judd,” the Country Music Hall of Fame said in its statement. “Following the wishes of the Judd family, the museum will move forward with the Medallion Ceremony on Sunday ... with Wynonna planning on being in attendance.”

>> Country singing star Naomi Judd dead at 76

Kyle Young, the CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame, told Billboard that the facility was “shocked and saddened” to learn of Naomi Judd’s death.

“Naomi overcame incredible adversity on her way to a significant place in music history. Her triumphant life story overshadows today’s tragic news,” Young told the website. “Her family has asked that we continue with The Judds’ official Hall of Fame induction on Sunday. We will do so, with heavy hearts and weighted minds. Naomi and daughter Wynonna’s music will endure.”

Naomi Judd died on Saturday from “the disease of mental illness,” according to a statement that Wynonna and her sister Ashley Judd released to the AP.

Naomi and Wynonna last performed together on the CMT Music Awards on April 11, singing their 1990 hit, “Love Can Build a Bridge” with a gospel choir, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The duo had not performed together at an awards show in more than 20 years, Rolling Stone reported,

>> Naomi Judd: Country music stars, others flood social media with tributes to late singer

Between 1984 and 1991, the Judds scored 20 Top Ten hits -- including 14 No. 1 singles, according to the Country Music Hall of Fame website. They also won five Grammy Awards, nine CMA awards and seven ACM awards.

The Judds’ other hits included “Mama He’s Crazy” (1984), “Why Not Me” (1984), “Girls Night Out” (1985), “Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain” in 1986 and “Grandpa” in 1986 and “Turn It Loose” (1988).

The Judds stopped recording in 1991 after doctors diagnosed Naomi Judd with Hepatitis C, WTVF reported.

They had recently announced a farewell tour, the first by The Judds in more than a decade, Variety reported. The 10-date tour was scheduled to begin Sept. 30 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and conclude Oct. 28 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, the entertainment website reported.

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Naomi Judd FILE - In this June 10, 2010 file photo,country singer Naomi Judd performs during the opening of the CMA Music Festival at the Riverfront stage in Nashville, Tenn. Judd is hosting a limited-run talk show on SiriusXM called "Think Twice." Her first guest will be Ashley Judd, June 8. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, file) (Wade Payne/AP)

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