Judd, Wynonna (1964–)

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Judd, Wynonna (1964–)

American country singer. Name variations: Hurricane Wyoming; Wynonna. Born Christina Clare Ciminella, May 30, 1964, in Ashland, KY; dau. of Naomi Judd and Charles Jordan; grew up believing father was Michael Ciminella; sister of Ashley Judd (actress); m. Arch Kelly, 1996 (div. 1999); m. D.R. Roach, 2003; children: (1st m.) Elijah (b. 1994) and Grace Pauline (b. 1996).

Known for mastery of both ballads and country rock material, took up guitar as teenager; was musical backbone of mother-daughter duo The Judds (1980s); emerged from mother's shadow with solo debut Wynonna (1992); released 3 #1 C&W singles, "She is His Only Need," "I Saw the Light" and "No One Else on Earth" (all 1992); recorded single with Clint Black, "A Bad Goodbye" (1993); released 2nd solo album Tell Me Why (1993); began recording album Revelations (1996); released 8-minute cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's rock anthem "Free Bird" (1996); reunited with mother for New Year's Eve concert (1999); covered Joni Mitchell's "Help Me" and the Fabulous Thunderbirds' "Tuff Enuff" on album New Day Dawning (2000).