Wynonna Readies New Album

Wynonna performs at the Nightly Concert at The Coliseum on Saturday, June 11 in Downtown Nashville during the 2005 CMA Music Festival, "Country Music’s Biggest Party™." Photographer: John Russell / CMA

Oct. 1, 2008 — This year is a milestone for Wynonna Judd — the 25th anniversary of the Judds’ first recording contract and first single, "Had A Dream (For The Heart)."

Given that she was a mere 19 years old when that first song came out, Wynonna’s spent more than half her life making music publicly, and she’s about to release yet another solo album.

"The album is a collection of stories from my musical upbringing," she told The Jackson Sun, of Tennessee. "It took a really long time to make this record because I gave every bit of passion I have ever given on a record in my life."

Wynonna’s love of blues and R&B has frequently shown up in her recordings, and she says fans and critics will find her channeling influences from Stevie Ray Vaughan, Delbert McClinton and Bonnie Raitt.

"It's an homage to those who came before me," she said. "I feel like in this day and age, we've gotten to a point where we’re losing our legends. And it’s really important for me at this time to take a snapshot and say ‘This is where I am, this is where I've been and came from.’ It’s really important to honor that."

One of the legends who’s been on the brain for Wynonna this year is Elvis Presley, whose voice she’s paired with on the forthcoming CD Elvis Presley Christmas Duets. Wynonna’s on board for an updated version of "Santa Claus Is Back In Town." Among the other women who appear on the disc are Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson and the female members of Little Big Town: Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman. Christmas Duets will be released Oct. 14.