| WYNONNA Wynonna, born Christina Claire in Ashland, Kentucky, first came into prominence as part of the mother-daughter duo, The Judds, in 1984 and has been critically lauded as one of the finest vocalists of our time. The Judds became one of the most celebrated success stories in country music history. In just six short years, they had sold more than twenty million records worldwide and had won over sixty industry awards including five Grammys, nine Country Music Association Awards and eight Billboard Music Awards. In 1991, Naomi Judd retired from the singing duo because she had contracted chronic hepatitis during her earlier nursing career. At the dawn of the new millennium, The Judds reunited for a four-month wildly successful tour in 2000, playing to over 250,000 people in some 36 shows. It was one of the Top 10 grossing country music tours of the year and two Judds' discs were released as well as a CBS television concert special to celebrate the reunited power of the duo. The duo was nominated for the prestigious Academy of Country Music's Top Vocal Duo of the Year in 2001, after a ten-year absence from the awards show circuit. In 2002, Wynonna and Naomi were named two of the "40 Greatest Women of Country Music" by CMT, landing at #11 on the coveted list. The two are clearly legends and trailblazers for music fans around the globe.
Wynonna began the second amazing success story of her life and signed her first solo record deal in 1992. With vast critical acclaim, Wynonna, selling over five million units, became the highest-selling debut album by a female artist at the time. Wynonna followed her wildly successful debut with the multi-platinum disc, Tell Me Why, as well as with the platinum-certified revelations. Her greatest hits compilation, Collection, was released in 1997, the year which also found her gold record, The Other Side, flying from the shelves. Wynonna burst into 2000 with a torrent of unleashed creativity that is expressed on New Day Dawning. It was on this record that she marked the first time role of producer as well as the director of the widest stylistic scope she had ever attempted. Wynonna will release a new landmark album for Curb Records (her record label partner for almost twenty years) on August 12, 2003, a three year, fourteen track project entitled What the World Needs Now Is Love. The first single, "What the World Needs," is now in heavy promotion as a Top 20 hit at country radio and was recently honored by Radio and Records Magazine as the most added country single of the year. Billboard says about Wy, "She unleashes those signature pipes on this positive anthem; a fine single from one of the format's most distinctive talents." Radio and Records had this to say, "Here comes the coolest chick on the block armed with one of the best songs of the year. She can outsing just about anyone. 'What the World Needs' is truly a worthy spotlight from one of the best vocalists we've ever had in this format."
Wynonna contributed a song entitled "You Are" for the 20th Century Fox feature film, "Someone Like You," which is seen during the movie's end credits. It marked the first time she wrote, produced and recorded a song for a major motion picture. The Hollywood Reporter and Variety heralded the song as a strong contender for the Academy Award category of Best Original Song in January 2002. In the last two years, Wynonna recorded duets with R&B star Kelly Price and pop icon Huey Lewis. She also made her long-awaited debut at the Grand Ole Opry, performed for our troops on four occasions at Ft. Campbell, sang at the Superbowl as well as at the Paralympics in Salt Lake City.
In April 2002, Wynonna joined Sting, James Taylor, Elton John, Patti Labelle and Smoky Robinson at the 11th Annual Rainforest Foundation Benefit at Carnegie Hall. The crowd felt in tune with the magic moment of the night as Sting and Wynonna performed "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling." Wynonna also endorsed the "Got Milk?" campaign with their first-ever national radio campaign (spotlighted by The New York Times) and wrote and recorded a song for the Todd Beamer tribute album, Let's Roll, now available in stores. In addition, Wynonna remade the Elvis classic, "Burning Love," which is featured prominently in the blockbuster Disney animated DVD/home video, "Lilo and Stitch." She also wrote, produced and performed the theme song for Erin Brockovich's new reality series, "Final Justice," now airing every Friday night on Lifetime.
In January 2003, Wynonna was the keynote speaker at the Country Cares Seminar for St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. She also entertained an industry crowd in February 2003 with blues legend, B.B. King, as part of the MusiCares Person of the Year Gala, honoring her friend, Bono. Wynonna recently inducted Queen into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame, an event at which she performed a scorching "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" with the legendary band. She also reprised her successful role as "Audrey" on the CBS hit, "Touched by an Angel," in April 2003. Wy is currently an active participant in the national Asthma Action America Campaign, the 'Free from Pain' promotion (for arthritic dogs) and was recently nominated for the 2003 Academy of Country Music's Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Wynonna has accumulated sales totals in excess of nine million units as well as several major industry awards including the coveted Female Vocalist of the Year in 1994 by the Academy of Country Music and thirteen top ten hits on the charts. Respected by the millions of fans who are drawn to her music, Wynonna's luminous career has certainly grown to levels once thought unimaginable. And, it's only the beginning: incomparable, inspired and imaginative, this twenty year veteran is about to change the rules all over again!
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