The life and music of Naomi Judd was celebrated at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium last night, with the memorial airing live on CMT.

“Welcome to the mother church of country music, this is where mom wanted her public celebration to take place and thank you for being in community and in fellowship with us,” Naomi’s daughter Ashley said at the opening of the memorial. “Because we can pretend to care, but we cannot pretend to show up. Thank you for showing up for our mom.”

Ashley then went on to eulogize her mother, before introducing her sister Wynonna, who performed the first of several songs, “River of Time.” She later performed Bette Midler’s “The Rose” with Brandi Carlile, and The Judds’ classic “Love Can Build A Bridge,” with the help of the Christ Church Choir, and the audience of fans and celebrities.

Ashley, Wy and Naomi’s husband Larry Strickland also shared their thoughts with the crowd, with Larry talking about how Naomi never met a stranger,  and how she would talk to anyone. He also read a letter that was sent to him by a stranger who shared a plane ride with Naomi as she was flying back to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She died the day before the ceremony.

• Several artists paid tribute to Naomi in song, including:  Little Big Town, who sang “Grandpa (Tell Me About The Good Old Days),” Jamey Johnson, who performed “John Deere Tractor,” Emmylou Harris and Allison Russell performed “The Sweetest Gift,” The Gaithers performed “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be,” Ashley McBryde held back tears while performing “Love Is Alive,” Brad Paisley performed “Young Love,” and talked about getting to open for The Judds early in his career and Carly Pearce performed “Why Not Me.”

• In addition, Martina McBride read “When Great Tree Falls” by Maya Angelou and there were taped tributes from Bono, Bette Midler, Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, Reba McEntire, Salma Hayek and more.

• During the memorial, Wynonna confirmed that she plans to go ahead with what was supposed to be The Judds’ 10-date reunion tour. “I will continue to sing,” she said. “I made a decision, and I decided to share it on national television. After a lot of thought, I am gonna have to honor her and do this tour because that is what you would want.” While she added  “I didn’t know if I could go on without her,” she noted, “We will continue this spectacle – that is what she would want, right?”

Source: Dr. Dave’s Ultimate Prep