Wynonna's 'A Classic Christmas' Concert in Detroit on December 11, 2009

Wynonna Judd brought her 'A Classic Christmas' concert to the Motor City Casino in Detroit last night (12/11/09).  Fred and I had volunteered to help with the World Vision booth at that concert, and were able to see the concert as a bonus in between our duties before and after the concert!

Wynonna has always been one of my favorite singers, going back to her days with her mom, Naomi, as the duo The Judds.  I was supposed to see her once before, but the weather did not cooperate!  My mother owned a Saturn in 1994, and the company had a Saturn Homecoming event that summer at their factory in Spring Hills, Tennessee.  We decided to head down to see their factory and attend the event.  Wynonna was the headliner in the evening.  However, a torrential downpour occurred in the afternoon.  The result was a huge collection of rain water in the field where the concert was to take place; it became known as Lake Wynonna!  Needless to say, the concert was cancelled.  I was very disappointed, as I had been on a major Wynonna kick at the time; I had practically worn out the cassette of her first solo release (it has since been released with the CD)!

Flash forward to 2009.  I received an email from World Vision looking for volunteers to work at the Wynonna 'A Classic Christmas' concert at the Motor City Casino on December 11.  I was excited about being able to help that worthwhile organization find sponsors for children all over the world, who would be cherished and given spiritual, physical and emotional nourishment.  This would also provide me the opportunity to finally see her 15 years after Lake Wynonna!  There were several chances to see her over the years, but I just never made it to any of her Detroit shows.  So Fred and I signed up.  He has been a Judds/Wynonna fan as well over the years!

The concert was absolutely magnificent!  Wynonna still has that swagger, and her voice is still strong!  She was backed up by a very talented band, including the Palmetto State Quartet.  The bass in that quartet is Larry Strickland, husband of Wynonna's mother, Naomi.  He surely can hit the lower registers very well!  

As for the song list, I was expecting to hear the more playful Christmas songs such as 'Frosty the Snowman' and 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.'  There were some traditional lighter songs, such as 'The Christmas Song' and 'I'll Be Home for Christmas.'

Most of her repertoire consisted of the songs that convey the real 'Reason for the Season' - the birth of the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ!  She sang 'Mary, Did You Know?,' a wonderful song pondering what Mary knew about the baby whom she would bring into the world.  A new song to me was 'It's The Messiah,' which was written by her guitarist, Don Potter.  Its lyrics are amazing.  She also sang 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel' and 'O Holy Night,' two of my favorite Christmas hymns!  She ended the evening with her beautiful rendition of 'Ave Maria' and the classic 'Silent Night.'

Most of these songs are available on her 2006 release, 'A Classic Christmas,' which is available here.


Fred and I just loved the concert!  I would go so far as to say that it was one of the best worship services I have ever attended!  Wynonna was clearly worshipping her Savior; it was very obvious that she knows Him very well!  Thanks, Wynonna, for using your gift for His glory!