Ray Charles and The Judds joined the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday in a ceremony filled with tears, music, and laughter, just a day after Naomi Judd died unexpectedly. She was one half of iconic country duo The Judds, which also includes her daughter Wynonna Judd.
The previously scheduled Sunday event went on with the permission of the singer’s family. Her daughters, Ashley and Wynonna Judd, were on hand to celebrate the honor, with both expressing their grief over passing at the age of 76.
“I’m sorry that she couldn’t hang on until today,” Ashley Judd shared through tears while the sisters accepted the induction.
Fans gathered outside the museum, drawn to a white floral bouquet outside the entrance and a small framed photo of Naomi Judd below. A single rose was laid on the ground.
Charles’ induction showcased his genre-defying country releases, which demonstrated country music’s commercial appeal. The Georgia-born singer and piano player grew up listening to the Grand Ole Opry and in 1962 released “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music,” which became one of the best-selling country releases of his era.