Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The dynamic of The Judds’ “Final” Tour changed drastically with the untimely passing of co-founder Naomi Judd, but Wynonna nonetheless took the reins to not only pay tribute to her beloved mother, but also honor the legendary country duo’s legacy as originally planned.

Though her solo superstardom would’ve surely been enough to carry a heartfelt performance meant to turn “pain into purpose” for the Vibrant Arena At The Mark in Moline, having opener Martina McBride, special guests Little Big Town and a band anchored by husband/Highway 101’s Cactus Moser along for the overview certainly enhanced the bittersweet occasion.

Wynonna’s one-of-a-kind voice was spectacular from the start of Elvis Presley’s “Had A Dream (For The Heart),” which set a symbolic tone for the many mountains The Judds climbed since their humble beginnings in the 1980s.

For nearly two flashy and sparkly hours, basically all of the main moments from the Country Music Hall of Famers were on the display, whether it was the headliner dazzling with “Give A Little Love” or McBride and Little Big Town joining her for “Girls Night Out,” plus the latter act staying for “Rockin’ With The Rhythm Of The Rain” and “Live Is Alive.”

Fans got their first taste of Wynonna’s career with “Tell Me Why,” and soon after, saw a video tribute to Naomi on the jumbo screens above, followed by the ever so appropriate choices of the group’s “Guardian Angel” and “Flies On The Butter.”

Another family photo montage accompanied the touching “River Of Time,” Little Big Town came back to join on “Born To Be Blue” and “Turn It Loose,” prior to Wynonna striding confidently into her standards “She Is His Only Need,” I Saw The Light” and “No One Else On Earth.”

The entire cast congregated for the beautiful ballad, “Love Can Build A Bridge,” a signature song if there ever was one, finding the entire Vibrant Arena fighting the tears and embracing the simple yet profound message of the pre-encore finale as a supreme send-off for The Judds.

Beforehand, McBride turned in a spirited set of her own, drawing from the recent collection, “Greatest Hits: The RCA Years,” which meant “Wild Angels,” “Anyway,” “This One’s For The Girls,” “Independence Day” and so much more, each carried by her dynamic voice and life-affirming subject matter that mirrored what was to come.

For additional information on The Judds, visit TheJudds.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation concerts, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Vibrant Arena At The Mark include TobyMac (Mar. 3); Reba McEntire (Mar. 18); Journey (Mar. 21); One Night Of Queen (Mar. 24); Los Dos Carnales (Apr. 2); For King + Country (Apr. 6); Morgan Wallen (Apr. 28); Kenny Chesney (May 4); Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show (Jun. 1); Cody Johnson & Friends (Jun. 15) and Matchbox Twenty (Jun. 17). For additional details, VibrantArena.com.

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