The Judds Preach Healing in 2022 CMT Music Awards Reunion

Love conquers all!

Written by Chris Parton
The Judds Preach Healing in 2022 CMT Music Awards Reunion
The Judds; Image Courtesy of CMT

The Judds promised a headline-grabbing reunion at the 2022 CMT Music Awards, and country’s favorite mother-daughter duo came through. With a message of coming together despite difference and division, they delivered a spirit-lifting rendition of “Love Can Build a Bridge.”

Performing the powerful ballad of healing in front of Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame — where they will soon be inducted — Wynonna and Naomi Judd called on people everywhere to choose love. With Wynonna in flowing black cape and Naomi decked out in royal blue, the duo moved slowly through the delicate but resilient anthem, moving toward each other all the time. As the April wind blew, a gospel choir soon appeared and spread out over the stage, and with the duo ending side by side, their dramatic message was clear: love conquers all.

Marking The Judds’ first awards show performance together in 20 years, the duo first announced their unexpected reunion on April 1 after many years of a tumultuous personal relationship. The reunion came after The Judds were chosen for induction into Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame (which will be officially celebrated on May 1), and it finds the “Mama He’s Crazy” duo pulling out all the stops. Just before the 2022 CMT Music Awards, they revealed they will also reunite for one last tour — fittingly dubbed The Final Tour — which will feature 10 arena shows starting September 30, with Martina McBride on select dates. The trek will end with a farewell show in Nashville on October 28.

The 2022 CMT Music Awards aired live from Nashville on CBS, marking the first time the genre’s only fan-voted awards show was broadcast on network television. The night was co-hosted by Kelsea Ballerini, actor Anthony Mackie and last-minute addition Kane Brown after Ballerini tested positive for COVID-19. Featuring a stacked lineup of featured performers, this year’s event also included Jason Aldean, Gabby Barrett and Miranda Lambert, plus collaborations between Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson, Jimmie Allen, Monica and Little Big Town, Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd, and many more. For more information including a recap of the night’s winners, click here.