Photo: Jim Wright
Wynonna Judd debuted a stunning solo rendition of “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem,” which The Judds recorded in the late 1980s, on Tuesday (November 21). The powerhouse singer-songwriter teamed up with her husband, producer Cactus Moser, to record the heartfelt new version of the holiday ballad.
Judd revealed last week that she would release a new version of “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” 35 years after she recorded it in The Judds, the legendary mother-daughter duo, with her late mother Naomi Judd. It was “one of the first Christmas songs I ever remember singing with Mom,” Judd reflected.
“‘Beautiful Star of Bethlehem’ is one of the first Christmas songs I ever remember singing with Mom,” Judd said in a statement. “We recorded it in 1987 for the ‘Christmas Time with The Judds’ album, and I still sing it to this day! Getting to re-record it with my husband & producer Cactus Moser, 35 years later, was so special to me. It’s rootsy & raw, as if we’re sitting around the fireplace singing together.
“‘Beautiful Star of Bethlehem’ is the first song that I learned as a young girl, and I sang it with my mother,” she continued on Tuesday. “We recorded it on a Christmas record. I am now putting it back out because it’s one of my favorite all-time Christmas songs, and I hope that you enjoy it.”
The holiday ballad makes its debut as Judd continues her “Back To Wy Tour,” performing her first two solo albums back-to-back for crowds in. Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and other destinations. Judd is also set to host the Christmas at the Opry special, a star-studded show featuring Kelly Clarkson, Chrissy Metz of This Is Us, Mickey Guyton, Trace Adkins and others, per a press release announcing Judd's “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.” The NBC special will air on December 7 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT, with another airing on December 20 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. Listen to Judd’s newly-recorded rendition of “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” here: