Big Ticket Review: Wynonna

Every once in a while you encounter someone with the talent and energy to touch masses, and Wynonna falls in that category. Although she has had more than her share of hard knocks, here is a woman who simply will not allow life to get her down.

Thrust into the limelight at 17, Wynonna’s personal journey has been rich with what she calls “herstory.” Celebrating 25 years in the business, these days she is at the top of her game, both musically and spiritually. With confidence galore, Wynonna believes that she is in a glorious place and that all things are possible.

“When you get to be my age, you are convinced you can get away with as much as possible,” she says.

A well respected superstar, Wynonna’s music is a country/rock/blues mix fronted by her powerful vocals and commanding presence. And she is a force to be reckoned with, living life hard and fast and sharing it all with her audiences.

In concert she tells the tales of her rich heritage and the life she has lived. She has played and sung with the best of the best and has been encouraged by many personal heroes like Tammy Wynette and Joni Mitchell. She also acknowledges her beginnings singing with her mother in The Judds and the effects that all have had upon her life.

“I have so many stories about affirmations,” she says. “ I have such a beautiful herstory of the women who have guided me.”

As a child, Wynonna says she was an overachiever and missed out on enjoying herself. She allowed others to tell her who she was and shares her concerns for children who are not allowed to become their own person.

“Be who you are,” she says, elaborating that she can’t be defined by whether or not she fits into a specific category and takes this one step further by encouraging others, especially children, to know that who they are is what is important and not what they do,

“Never let others tell you who you are,” she says. “I want kids to know anything is possible and if I can do it, so can they.”

Wynonna and her music come from the heart and she pours her soul into it with gusto feeling a sense of purpose in it all.

“God knows I’m here to tell a story and give inspiration to those who are discouraged,” she says. “I think people relate to me because I have real heart and I’ve been through a lot.

Part of her journey has been several brushes with death, which she says blows the doors to the soul wide open and gives you an immense feeling of gratitude. This has given her a new zest for life and an intense focus on her vision.

“As long as your liver isn’t falling out, you just put on your big panties and go out there and stomp around and act like you know what you’re doing,” she says.

While on stage she is a powerhouse, she admits to enjoying the moment and just being on her downtime.

“I just know how to be,” she says, adding that she is a dreamer. “It’s important to sit on the back porch and waste time and dream.”

This multi-faceted woman also enjoys driving her tractor and admits she’s quiet, likes to read and doesn’t do electronics. The peaceful time of day is her favorite time of day and she says that she is happiest when she doesn’t have to be somewhere. Wynonna also is a single parent trying to raise two teenagers and trying to figure out who she is as a woman. Except for her incredible gift, she is really no different than most of us.

“I’m a real combination of comedy and drama,” she says.

The on-stage Wynonna is motivated by making people feel better and she has performed for every type of group out there.

“I’m plugged into earth and middle America. I’m supposed to be an ambassador of hope,” she says.

“Music makes people feel better, it is a healer and I’m a teacher. I’m supposed to listen and encourage through music. That’s my gig.”

As for her upcoming appearance at the Lake Tahoe Music Festival, it’s anybody’s guess what she will pull out of her bag of tricks. Whether she’ll wear her stompin’ cowgirl boots or glitter up her copper tresses will all be decided on the whim of the moment.

“I’ll have to check my mood ring,” she jokes.

She does promise a great show filled with past, present and future musical delights including some of the early Judds’ tunes. And when she’s on stage, don’t be surprised if she’s scanning the audience for that impressionable 12-year old singing along with her. Inspiration is a two way street and for Wynonna that’s what it’s all about.