Wynonna Judd | |
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Judd in May 2006
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Background information | |
Birth name | Christina Claire Ciminella |
Also known as | Wynonna |
Born |
Ashland, Kentucky, U.S. |
May 30, 1964
Genres | Country |
Occupation(s) |
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Instruments |
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Years active | 1983–present |
Labels | |
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Website | Wynonna |
Wynonna Ellen Judd (/waɪˈnoʊnə/; born Christina Claire Ciminella; May 30, 1964) is an American country music singer. Her solo albums and singles are all credited to the single name Wynonna. Wynonna first rose to fame in the 1980s alongside her mother, Naomi, in the country music duo The Judds. The duo released seven albums on Curb Records in addition to charting 26 singles, of which 14 were number-one hits.
After The Judds disbanded in 1991, Wynonna began a solo career, also on Curb. In her solo career, she has released eight studio albums, a live album, a holiday album and two compilation albums in addition to charting more than 20 singles of her own. Her first three singles—"She Is His Only Need", "I Saw the Light," and "No One Else on Earth"—all reached number one on the U.S. country singles charts consecutively, as did 1993's "Only Love" and 1996's, "To Be Loved by You." Three of her albums are certified platinum or higher by the RIAA. Her most recent recording, Sing: Chapter 1, was released on February 3, 2009 and she released a new song, "Something You Can't Live Without," in March 2013. Wynonna is most recognized for her musical work, although starting in the 2000s she has also pursued other interests, including writing, acting and philanthropy.
Wynonna was born Christina Claire Ciminella in Ashland, Kentucky, on May 30, 1964. She was given the last name Ciminella after Michael Ciminella, the man her mother quickly married after being abandoned by her boyfriend and Judd's biological father, Charles Jordan, who died in 2000. Her younger sister is actress Ashley Judd. Naomi and Ciminella moved with the girls to Los Angeles in 1968 but were divorced by 1972. By 1976, Wynonna and Naomi were living in Kentucky, where Wynonna took inspiration from the country music that her mother listened to and learned to play guitar after receiving one for Christmas. The two of them moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1979 in pursuit of a musical career.